Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

James Gunter

Royal Palm Beach,Fl

Summary

Seasoned rail operations leader with a proven track record at CSX, Amtrak and SFRTA, excelling in project management and team leadership. Expert in management of commuter rail operations, train scheduling and derailment investigations, adept at contract management and budget control. Demonstrates a strong ability to reduce operational costs while enhancing compliance and safety standards.

Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Manager of Compliance - Operations

Alstom
Los Angeles, CA
02.2025 - Current
  • Developed Air Brake Train Handling Rules & Instructions book for Metrolink Operations.
  • Authored CFR 219 Drug & Alcohol submittal, securing FRA approval.
  • Created and executed 49 CFR 217 Operational Testing and Observations plan including leading classroom and field training portions of the plan for all DSLE's & TM's. Assigned as the Implementation Officer for the Operations side.
  • Developed policies and procedures for the mechanical department to address operational and safety deficiencies.
  • Onboarding of 200 Locomotive Engineers and Conductors, ensuring adherence to all FRA regulations under CFR 240 & 242. This included reviewing every employee's hearing, vision, prior D&A, prior service records, and driving records to determine eligibility.
  • Managed SafeTrack from MaxAccel for record keeping, HOS, and certifications. Collaborated with programmers to build this comprehensive tracking program to comply with FRA federal reporting requirements.
  • Reviewed training department's 49 CFR 243 training plan and provided actionable insights.
  • Trained DSLEs and TMs in classroom and field segments of 217 testing.
  • Created and trained DSLE's and TM's on the classroom and field portion of Event Recorder downloads and reviews.

Manager of Commuter Rail Operations & Compliance

SFRTA
Pompano Beach, FL
07.2024 - 02.2025
  • Retained responsibilities from prior role along with new tasks listed below.
  • Oversee the day-to-day operations of the South Florida Rail Corridor, including CSX, Amtrak, Herzog, Tri-Rail, and Transdev operations.
  • Project manager of multiple yearly operating contracts exceeding 80 million dollars, including, but not limited to, train operations, fuel, buses, and mechanical.
  • Develop train schedules, organize special train service.
  • Manage relationships and act as mediator for FDOT when dealing with CSX, FEC, Florida Dispatch Company, Amtrak, Herzog, and Transdev operations.
  • Complete joint operational testing under CFR 217 on all operating tenants on the SFRC.
  • Oversee three department managers in office for stations, mechanical, and OTP data.
  • Communicate train routing decisions to dispatch based on contracts for Amtrak, CSX, and Tri-Rail.
  • Expert on SFOMA, Amtrak/FDOT, and FDOT/SFRTA operating agreements.
  • Manage service disruptions on SFRC.
  • Review and respond to all customer service complaints on Tri-Rail trains and the Tri-Rail FLA to FLL shuttle buses.
  • Procurement of new locomotives and cars.
  • Develop the scope of work for the CFR 229 inward and outward camera requirements from the FRA.
  • Develop new train schedule that included the first express train service in Tri-Rail history.
  • Track foreign railroads crews qualifications prior to allowing them to operate on the SFRC.
  • Review operating rules violations, injuries, trespasser strikes as well as derailments on the SFRC and provide reports to the Executive Director.

Operating Rules & Compliance Manager

SFRTA
Pompano Beach, FL
08.2023 - 07.2024
  • Review and modify GCOR Operating rules to address operational issues on the SFRC.
  • Investigate derailments, operating rule violations, trespasser incident's, and prepare reports for FDOT and SFRTA. Including review of event recorder downloads.
  • Process change orders, purchase orders, review invoices and approve payments for operating expense's for contractors operating on the SFRC.
  • Create, review and justify yearly operating and capital budgets for Operations.
  • Reduce risk exposure on the SFRC by identifying and addressing areas of noncompliance, by performing Joint Operational Testing of Amtrak, CSX, Herzog and Transdev employees.
  • Review PTC Penalties and prepare data for review by the Director of Operations.
  • Plan modifications of train schedules of commuter train service on SFRC.
  • Creation and distribution of all General Orders and General Notices on the SFRC.

Rail Coordinator FDOT D4

IN HOUSE CONSULTANT
Fort Lauderdale, FL
10.2022 - 08.2023
  • Performs invoicing of railroads operating on SFRC for monthly usage fees.
  • Uses CAP's report system to verify all revenues paid to FDOT by CSX and Amtrak are accounted for on a weekly basis.
  • Investigates all rail-related accidents and environmental emergencies on FDOT-owned rail corridor for D4.
  • Uses RHCI to update crossing data in FDOT system.
  • Travel to work locations to verify that the work is being done correctly on FDOT Railroad Right of Way projects.
  • 24-7 On-call for rail incidents between West Palm Beach and Miami International Airport station.
  • Review FMs for projects that come close to railroad right-of-way.
  • Assist in creating and updating change orders and Scope of Services.
  • Review final inspections of crossing upgrades paid for by FDOT on CSX, FEC, and other railroads.
  • Subject matter expert on rail operations in the state of Florida.
  • Assists FDOT D4 Modal Development Office with administering the rail program as an embedded consultant.
  • Assist with rail planning functions of the Department, including developing and managing rail agreements of SFOMA
  • Assist with railroad crossing field data collection and diagnostic field reviews
  • Assist with Operation STRIDE, Operation Lifesaver, Open-Closure Program, Highway-Railway Grade Crossing Program, etc
  • Perform other related duties as necessary.

(Operations Manager) RFE & Locomotive Engineer

Amtrak
Miami, FL & Jacksonville, FL
03.2018 - 12.2020
  • Managed 40 to 60 Train and Engine service employees out of the Miami & Jacksonville Crew bases, including CSX territory from Savannah, GA to Miami, FL, with an emphasis on safety and operational rules compliance, as well as Federal DOT drug and alcohol testing.
  • Developed SPARTN Reports for Southeast Division, Central Division, Chicago Control Center, and the Student Engineer RFE in Chicago to ascertain that all required federal and company operational testing was completed on a monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis for each employee.
  • Modified the standards on Southeast Division for injuries, crossing accidents, and trespasser strikes, and how the reports were put together and submitted to the claims department.
  • Southeast Division lead for PTC-related issues, PTC penalties, and training for the Miami, Sanford, Jacksonville, and Savannah crew bases.
  • Established a culture of safety within the department by promoting best practices in accident prevention and risk mitigation techniques.
  • Managed staff schedules and assignments effectively, optimizing productivity and reducing overtime costs.

(Operations Manager) Road Foreman of Engines

Amtrak
Milwaukee, WI & Chicago, IL
06.2016 - 03.2018
  • Worked directly in office with WIDOT and IDOT officials on Hiawatha train service issues, new locomotive purchases, as well as operational improvements.
  • Direct responsibility for all service disruptions, as well as customer service complaints.
  • Managed the daily operations of state-supported Hiawatha service (14 round trips daily) and the Empire Builder (2 trains daily) service from Chicago, IL to Winona, MN.
  • Investigate all grade crossing and trespasser strikes involving Amtrak State-supported service and acted as an expert witness in court proceedings.
  • Direct supervision of 30 operating employees, and indirectly 100+ operating employees in the Chicago crew base.
  • Participated in labor relations discussions with union representatives to address grievances and foster a cooperative working environment.
  • Established a culture of safety within the department by promoting best practices in accident prevention and risk mitigation techniques.

Locomotive Engineer

Amtrak
Various Locations
09.2006 - 06.2016
  • Locomotive Engineer over several different routes including, Chicago to Battle Creek MI, Chicago to Grand Rapid MI, Chicago to Winona MN, Chicago Yard, Lincoln, NE to Ottumwa IA, Miami FL to Tampa FL, Jacksonville FL to Tampa FL, Jacksonville FL to Savannah GA.
  • Signal & rules qualified over CSX, NS, CN, CP, Amtrak, BNSF, & UP.
  • OJT Instructor new hire Locomotive Engineers.

Locomotive Engineer & Conductor

CSX Transportation
Jacksonville Division
04.2000 - 06.2006
  • Coordinated with yardmasters to ensure the efficient movement of trains within rail yards, optimizing space utilization and minimizing delays.
  • Reduced fuel consumption with strategic train handling techniques, resulting in significant cost savings.

Manager Commuter Rail Operations & Compliance

SFRTA
Pompano Beach, FL

Education

Certificate of Completion - Railroad Operations

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FL RAILROAD INSTITUE
Jacksonville, FL
03.2020

Skills

  • Microsoft Office
  • Wabtec WRE DAS, DAS3, LDARS-V camera, and event recorder software
  • I-ETMS PTC
  • Project management
  • Qualification relating to CFR 217, 219, 240, and 242
  • Train scheduling
  • Train derailment investigations
  • Expense Tracking
  • Workforce Management
  • Contract Management
  • Budget Control
  • Team Leadership

Certification

  • CSX Train Accident Prevention and Fact-Finding Analysis (investigate train derailments and find root cause.
  • FEMA Incident Command Training 1 & 2.
  • Amtrak Operational Testing (Test railroad employees on FRA required rules and operations). - CFR 217
  • Amtrak Drug and Alcohol qualified tester - CFR 219
  • DSLE Certification (Designated Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers Cert,).
  • FRA Class 1 Locomotive Engineers License - CFR 240
  • FRA Class 1 Passenger Conductors License - CFR 242

Timeline

Manager of Compliance - Operations

Alstom
02.2025 - Current

Manager of Commuter Rail Operations & Compliance

SFRTA
07.2024 - 02.2025

Operating Rules & Compliance Manager

SFRTA
08.2023 - 07.2024

Rail Coordinator FDOT D4

IN HOUSE CONSULTANT
10.2022 - 08.2023

(Operations Manager) RFE & Locomotive Engineer

Amtrak
03.2018 - 12.2020

(Operations Manager) Road Foreman of Engines

Amtrak
06.2016 - 03.2018

Locomotive Engineer

Amtrak
09.2006 - 06.2016

Locomotive Engineer & Conductor

CSX Transportation
04.2000 - 06.2006

Manager Commuter Rail Operations & Compliance

SFRTA

Certificate of Completion - Railroad Operations

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FL RAILROAD INSTITUE

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE