January 22, 2025
R. J. Corman’s Ben Skeens Named a 2025 "Fast Tracker" Award Winner by Railway Age
We are thrilled to announce that Ben Skeens, Director of Railcar Maintenance & Compliance at R. J. Corman Railroad Company, has been selected as one of Railway Age’s “Fast Trackers” award winners for 2025! This prestigious recognition is awarded to 25 outstanding railroaders under 40 who have made significant contributions to the industry. The program judge, Nick Little, recently retired Director of the Michigan State Center for Railway Research & Education, highlighted these young professionals' exceptional impact in the rail sector.
Ben Skeens has been an integral part of R. J. Corman for the past three years, where he has demonstrated remarkable leadership and innovation. One of his notable achievements includes implementing a preventative maintenance plan for R. J. Corman's rolling stock fleet. This initiative has significantly reduced the shuttle car fleet's bad order ratio, decreasing the out-of-service rate to less than 5%. As a result, railcars now remain in active service 80-90% longer after undergoing preventative maintenance.
In addition to his technical expertise, Ben played a pivotal role in securing CRISI grant funding for the Kentucky Freight Rail Improvement Program. This groundbreaking project, which includes replacing 75 specialty railcars, marks the first time a CRISI grant has been awarded to a freight rolling stock project. Ben led the technical aspects of the mechanical portion of the project, ensuring the new railcars were equipped with the latest technology to better serve the company's customers.
Ben's leadership style is characterized by his support and commitment to peer-to-peer coaching. He believes in empowering employees to speak up and contribute to solutions, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment. His approach to safety training, which emphasizes learning from peers, has proven effective in creating a culture of safety and trust within the team.
The award winners will be recognized at a special luncheon in Chicago on March 11, 2025, as part of Railway Age’s Next-Generation Freight Rail Conference and featured in the magazine’s special edition in February. We are incredibly proud of Ben's accomplishments and look forward to celebrating his success at this prestigious event.
Congratulations, Ben Skeens, on this well-deserved recognition! Your dedication and contributions to the rail industry are truly inspiring.
Read more about the 2024 Railway Age Fast Trackers Award and the complete list of honorees here: Railway Age’s 2025 ‘Fast Trackers’ 25 Under 40 Honorees
