JASON LUCE
Omaha,NE
Summary
Customer-oriented and strategic-thinking professional with over 18 years of railway experience in building relationships, cultivating partnerships, retaining top accounts and growing profit channels. Multi-tasking and self-motivated leader with expertise in expanding network connections, implementing pricing models, estimating, design, and turnaround management.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
President
Wathe Railway Services Corp.
Omaha, NE
06.2023 - 02.2024
- Collaborated closely with senior management on long-term strategic planning initiatives related to projects in development or execution stages.
- Drafted reports summarizing progress made on projects for review by executive leadership team.
- Maintained records of all documents related to each project including specifications, change orders, invoices.
- Participated in cross-functional teams responsible for developing innovative solutions for complex problems.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures throughout the life cycle of each project.
- Coordinated resources across multiple departments and teams as needed for successful completion of projects.
- Advised other departments on best practices related to managing large-scale projects.
- Developed and maintained project plans, timelines, and budgets.
- Managed multiple projects with competing deadlines simultaneously.
- Communicated effectively with stakeholders to ensure project goals are met on time and within budget.
- Provided guidance to team members regarding tasks assigned to them.
- Identified risks associated with each project and developed strategies for mitigating those risks.
- Built and established strong partnerships with teams, vendors and contractors.
- Forecasted, scheduled and monitored project timelines, personnel performance and cost efficiency.
- Identified needs and coordinated resource allocation to deliver quality standards on time and within budget.
- Conducted periodic inspections of job sites for quality and progress.
- Prepared cost estimates for projects of varying sizes.
- Drove continuous improvement of project delivery process by providing strong leadership.
- Made changes to project scope and cost and implemented most effective change management processes to keep project up-to-date.
- Reviewed project risks and devised proactive strategies to avoid potential roadblocks.
- Modified project plans when needed to better align with organizational objectives.
- Reviewed budget and subcontractor estimates in detail and analyzed for accuracy with scope of work relevancy in mind.
Chief Operating Officer
EnviroRail Inc.
Omaha, NE
10.2018 - 06.2022
- Analyzed financial data and identified areas of improvement for cost savings.
- Directed the daily operations of multiple departments across the organization.
- Managed staff recruitment, training, and development processes.
- Implemented process improvements to reduce waste and optimize workflow.
- Reviewed policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
- Facilitated change management initiatives in order to streamline operations.
- Ensured compliance with safety protocols, industry standards, and legal requirements.
- Oversaw production activities from design through delivery of products or services.
- Maintained productive relationships and communication channels across organization.
- Established plans to address productivity, operational performance and staff retention and satisfaction.
- Organized and oversaw capital improvement projects to maintain business viability.
- Delivered speeches and attended industry conferences to promote company image and engage with buyers.
- Hired, trained and mentored 37 staff members to maximize productivity.
- Developed long-range plans for business growth, resulting in 96% or greater increase in annual sales three years running.
- Spearheaded new facility expansion with $25K in capital funds.
Manager of Track Maintenance
Union Pacific
Sterling, IL, IL
03.2015 - 09.2018
- Created monthly reports for senior management summarizing operational performance metrics.
- Coached, mentored and trained 27 team members in order to improve their job performance.
- Conducted regular meetings with staff to discuss progress and identify areas of improvement.
- Monitored budgets and expenditures to ensure cost-effectiveness while maintaining quality standards.
- Assessed team member's skillsets and assigned tasks accordingly for optimal efficiency.
- Collaborated with other departments to ensure timely completion of projects within budget constraints.
- Organized special events such as conferences or training sessions for employees.
- Leveraged leadership skills to identify deficiencies and opportunities to improve policies, procedures and controls.
- Communicated company directives and programs to direct reports and ensured all follow-up items were completed accurately and timely.
- Collaborated closely with senior management on long-term strategic planning initiatives related to projects in development or execution stages.
- Drafted reports summarizing progress made on projects for review by executive leadership team.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures throughout the life cycle of each project.
- Developed and maintained project plans, timelines, and budgets for Union Pacific's Red X critical line.
- Managed multiple projects with competing deadlines simultaneously.
- Conducted periodic inspections of job sites for quality and progress.
- Prepared cost estimates for projects of varying sizes.
- Drove continuous improvement of project delivery process by providing strong leadership, in return lead to a territory/ work group that reduced annual derailment of 13 and annual employee safety incidents and or injuries of 5 to a annual zero in both categories.
Manager of Track Welding
Union Pacific
Omaha, NE
09.2013 - 03.2015
- Coached, mentored and trained 9 supervisors that each lead 12 field employee teams.
- Conducted regular meetings with staff to discuss progress and identify areas of improvement.
- Monitored budgets and expenditures to ensure cost-effectiveness while maintaining quality standards.
- Resolved conflicts between employees by providing guidance on company policies and procedures.
- Provided leadership during times of organizational change or crisis situations.
- Assessed team member's skillsets and assigned tasks accordingly for optimal efficiency.
- Developed annual goals for the welding department based on safety and quality trends.
- Ensured compliance with all applicable Company and FRA rules, regulations, standards.
- Organized special events such as conferences or training sessions for employees.
- Scheduled interviews for potential candidates and conducted reference checks prior to hire.
- Trained employees throughout the Northern Region on thermite welding and welding safety protocols.
- Led team meetings and one-on-one coaching sessions to continuously improve performance.
Engineering Rail Relay Supervisor
Union Pacific
Grand Prairie, TX
06.2010 - 09.2013
- Directed and supervised team of 123 employees in daily operations.
- Maintained accurate records of employee performance, attendance, leave requests, and disciplinary actions.
- Tracked progress on projects and provided timely feedback to staff members.
- Ensured compliance with workplace safety regulations by providing training sessions for all staff members.
- Monitored employee productivity levels on a regular basis to identify areas of improvement.
- Evaluated employee performance through periodic reviews and documented results accordingly.
- Reviewed completed work to verify consistency, quality and conformance.
- Evaluated processes and employee strengths to help lead the work group to a record 738 calendar days incident and injury free.
Engineering Track Field Employee
Union Pacific
Milwaukee, WI
06.2006 - 06.2010
- Understood and followed oral and written directions.
- Demonstrated leadership by making improvements to work processes and helping to train others.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
- Motivated and encouraged team members to communicate more openly and constructively with each other to become more productive and safe.
- Held positions of: track laborer, machine operator, Foreman, Track Inspector, General Foreman, and Total Safety Culture Facilitator of the Chicago Service Unit
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Athletic Training
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO05-2018
St. Francis High School
Saint Francis06-1995
Skills
- Operations Oversight
- Product Development
- Cost Control
- Change Management
- Project Development
- Compliance Monitoring
- Project Planning
- Budget Development
- Cost Estimation
- Value Engineering
- Design Review
- Site Inspection
- Analytical Thinking
- Time Management Abilities
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Team Collaboration
- Relationship Building
- Quality Assurance Standards
- Heavy Equipment Operation
- Multi-Project Coordination
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Technical Drawing
Affiliations
- Athletic performance coaching
- Volunteer football coach for youth 4th grade through high school
Timeline
President
Wathe Railway Services Corp.
06.2023 - 02.2024
Chief Operating Officer
EnviroRail Inc.
10.2018 - 06.2022
Manager of Track Maintenance
Union Pacific
03.2015 - 09.2018
Manager of Track Welding
Union Pacific
09.2013 - 03.2015
Engineering Rail Relay Supervisor
Union Pacific
06.2010 - 09.2013
Engineering Track Field Employee
Union Pacific
06.2006 - 06.2010
Associate of Applied Science - Athletic Training
Lindenwood University
St. Francis High School