Akilah Huisar
Markham,IL
Summary
Railroad and utility construction professional with over 4 years of freight conductor experience and a background in military IT systems. Proven ability to observe and document construction activities, ensure compliance with safety regulations, and maintain clear communication with on-site and off-site personnel. Experienced in working on and around live railroad tracks, inspecting equipment, and traveling to various job locations. Seeking to apply hands-on railroad knowledge and documentation skills to utility construction observation roles.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Freight Conductor
CSX
11.2022 - 04.2026
- Inspected all equipment on cars prior to departures and performed minor repairs, ensuring compliance with FRA safety rules and railroad signals.
- Operated remote control locomotives for over 300 shifts, safely coordinating train movements in rail yards and customer facilities.
- Moved an average of 300+ rail cars daily to efficiently build and break down trains for loading, unloading, and departure.
- Received and transmitted information by radio and telephone; read and interpreted bulletins, work orders, and switch lists.
- Worked with customers to ensure accurate movement and placement of cars, delivering excellent customer service.
- Maintained awareness of the surrounding area and suspicious activity to ensure rail safety.
- Reviewed instructions from yardmasters, dispatchers, and other transportation employees, coordinating with locomotive engineers.
- Mounted and dismounted moving equipment, walked long distances over uneven terrain, lifted up to 80 lbs., and worked outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Completed annual training and passed safety rules examinations; maintained random drug/alcohol testing compliance per federal regulations.
Union Painter
Ascher Brothers Company
07.2017 - 11.2022
- Prepared surfaces by cleaning, sanding, plastering, caulking, and applying primer to ensure optimal paint adhesion.
- Applied paints, stains, varnishes, and specialty coatings using brushes, rollers, airless paint sprayers, and power tools.
- Read blueprints and schematics to accurately determine project scope, color schemes, and surface specifications.
- Performed drywall finishing, trim carpentry, stucco application, masonry work, and concrete finishing for renovation projects.
- Used construction estimating skills to assess material needs and ensure efficient use of resources on each job site.
- Executed industrial painting tasks including surface preparation for heavy-duty coatings on large structures or machinery.
- Worked safely on residential, commercial, and industrial construction sites while adhering to all safety protocols.
Postal Clerk
United States Postal Service
11.2016 - 03.2017
- Weighed letters and parcels, computed mailing costs based on type, weight, destination, and affixed correct postage.
- Sorted incoming and outgoing mail by type and destination manually and using electronic sorting/scanning devices.
- Transported mail from one workstation to another.
Senior Airman – Client Systems Specialist
United States Air Force
01.2008 - 07.2011
- Installed and configured software operating systems and applications to ensure functionality of computer hardware and software.
- Performed information technology support functions, troubleshooting and repairing hardware/software issues in real time.
- Established preventive, scheduled, and unscheduled maintenance actions to maintain system integrity.
- Provided response to real-time network security alerts and applied countermeasure implementation processing.
- Monitored four classified networks, supporting 200+ users across 70 countries – supported over 90,000 combat missions.
- Professionally processed 80+ calls per day, providing information and service to ensure customer service satisfaction.
- Reported security incidents and took corrective measures to protect classified networks and data.
Education
DC14 Apprenticeship Program -
The Chicago Area Painting and Decorating JATC
Chicago, IL04.2026
High School Diploma - undefined
Hillcrest High School
Country Club Hills, IL05.2007
Skills
- Logbook maintenance
- Route planning
- Weather condition adaptation
- Hazardous materials handling
- Security awareness
- Signal interpretation
- Time management
- Problem-solving skills
Certification
- Safety Training
- Mask Fit
- Fall Protection
- OSHA 10-Hour
- Hazard Communication
- Chicago City Scaffolding
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Valid driver’s license
- Ability to travel 100% of the time
- Proficient with electronic communications (email, text, tablet operations)
- Experience working in safety-sensitive environments on and around live railroad tracks
- Secret security clearance (inactive)
Timeline
Freight Conductor
CSX
11.2022 - 04.2026
Union Painter
Ascher Brothers Company
07.2017 - 11.2022
Postal Clerk
United States Postal Service
11.2016 - 03.2017
Senior Airman – Client Systems Specialist
United States Air Force
01.2008 - 07.2011
High School Diploma - undefined
Hillcrest High School
DC14 Apprenticeship Program -
The Chicago Area Painting and Decorating JATC