BNSF Honors Flagstaff, Ariz., Employee Jeff Ahmann as Engineering Safety Employee of the Year

Date
Apr 20, 2016

FORT WORTH, TEXAS – BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) has named Jeff Ahmann, section foreman, Engineering Safety Employee of the Year. Ahmann was recognized for his efforts at BNSF’s annual Employees of the Year ceremony in Fort Worth, Texas. The annual Employees of the Year program is designed to recognize employees who demonstrate BNSF’s vision and values through their commitment, leadership and focus on working safely and efficiently to meet customer expectations. Their achievements positively impact BNSF customers, fellow employees, owners and the communities served by BNSF.

Of the more than 40,000 team members across the company, 52 employees were recognized during the ceremony for their individual and team achievements in 2015. An additional 40 BNSF employees were acknowledged for their safety leadership last year – all of whom led teams that worked throughout 2015 without a reportable injury.

"When it comes to safety, I don’t mince words. I say it the way I see it, and if I need to get someone’s attention – I will."

“Our Employees of the Year program is a way to recognize our people for outstanding efforts and results. I’m grateful for Jeff Ahmann’s hard work and dedication,” said Carl Ice, BNSF president and chief executive officer. “Jeff is a reflection of our entire team’s commitment to always remaining focused on safety, serving our customers, and delivering on the integral role we play in moving our global economy forward.”

Ahmann, a BNSF employee for more than 32 years, is responsible for leading a track section crew on about 50 miles of double-main track on the Southern Transcon near Flagstaff. He is charged with maintaining and keeping track in top condition. The territory is on one of the busiest rail lines on BNSF’s network.

“I have a relatively new crew with two to five years of experience, so I go over each process with them step-by-step because when the job is easier, it’s safer to do the work,” said Ahmann as he described his in-depth planning for each safety briefing. “When it comes to safety, I don’t mince words. I say it the way I see it, and if I need to get someone’s attention – I will.”

At the ceremony, Ahmann was honored as one of BNSF’s Safety Employees of the Year. The Mechanical, Engineering, Telecommunications and Intermodal Business Unit Operations teams each recognized an individual Safety Employee of the Year, while Transportation acknowledged the 36-member safety coordinator team. Three safety coordinator representatives attended the ceremony on behalf of the larger team. All of these honorees were recognized for their efforts to improve safety within the industry and their communities.

BNSF’s continued safety improvements – assisted by the efforts of the Safety Employees of the Year – move it closer to achieving the company’s vision of an injury- and incident-free workplace. For a complete list of honorees and a video of the Safety Employees of the Year, please visit www.bnsf.com/news-media.

About BNSF
BNSF Railway is one of North America’s leading freight transportation companies operating on 32,500 route miles of track in 28 states, and also operates in three Canadian provinces. BNSF is one of the top transporters of consumer goods, grain and agricultural products, low-sulfur coal, and industrial goods such as petroleum, chemicals, housing materials, food and beverages. BNSF’s shipments help feed, clothe, supply, and power American homes and businesses every day. BNSF and its employees have developed one of the most technologically advanced, and efficient railroads in the industry. We work continuously to improve the value of the safety, service, energy, and environmental benefits we provide to our customers and the communities we serve. You can learn more about BNSF at www.BNSF.com.