The expansion of the Stillwater Central Railroad in southwest Oklahoma had a successful January. The SLWC took over the 120 miles from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe on Dec. 29, 2001, and operations began on January 2, 2002.

In addition to Paul Fries being named general manger (see story page 4), Jimmy Horner, who was a train master for the South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad, has been named marketing officer for the SLWC.

Horner will be responsible for all marketing on the SLWC including the Pawnee branch and the Sooner Sub between Tulsa and Oklahoma City. He is officed in Lawton, Ok.

If you are an employee of Watco Companies, Inc., and you have children or grandchildren in college, this could be of some interest to your pocket book.

Railway Supply Association, Inc, of Warrenville, Illinois, is offering 10 scholarships to the best-qualified student applicants.

Railway Supply Association (RSA) offers annually, a scholarship program for children and grandchildren of RSA member companies and members of Coordinated Associations. Watco Companies, Inc. is one of those member companies.

A total of 10 scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $3,000. Eligibility is based upon the following criteria.

Applicants must be a dependent child, stepchild, adopted child or grandchild, of an employee of Watco Companies, Inc., and under the age of 22.

They must also be enrolled as a full-time student in a four or five-year program leading to a Bachelor's Degree, and be of sophomore status by the fall (August) term of 2002. The students chosen major does not have to be transportation or railroad related.

Forty per cent of the judgment will be based on academic achievement. Also based on forty per cent of the score is citizenship and character. The final 20 per cent of the score will be based on content of an essay of an assigned topic.

"The number of scholarship dollars for first year students is relatively high, but scholarship money for second year and higher students is difficult to obtain. RSA is offering a solid amount of money to aid students who are already established in a university and who may no longer be eligible for financial aid of any kind. Three-thousand dollars will cover a good sum of expenses for one year," Keener said.

To obtain an application, you can phone RSA at (630) 393-0106, or fax a request to (630) 393-0108. Copies of scholarship applications will not be accepted, only original applications.

Wholesome. That's the perfect word to describe Randy Bennett, EVP Watco Switching and Warehousing Services. He's like the All-American. Red, white and blue.

Maybe it's his southern Louisiana accent, his ability to prepare a tasty Cajun meal, or just the calmness and ease he has when he speaks. Whatever it is, it makes Bennett a perfect fit into Watco Companies, Inc.

Bennett first became familiar with Watco Companies, Inc. in 1983 while overseeing the track maintenance for the Boise Cascade paper mill in DeRidder, Louisiana. Bennett crossed over, becoming a Watco employee in 1984 after having met and worked with a group of the company's employees during the start up phase of Watco's first operation. Bennett saw a group of people excited about the future of a young aggressive company.

"I was inspired by the morale of the group and that made me feel the same excitement for the organization that they felt," he said.

Bennett added in his wildest dreams he could not have imagined in 1984, the Watco Companies would grow to its current state, with no end in potential growth in site.

Though his background was in track repair, only a car repair job was available, so Bennett decided to take the opportunity to learn a new aspect of the railroad industry while waiting for an opportunity related to track maintenance to present itself with Watco. After all, he knew he was joining a company with a strong future that would provide an opportunity to work in various fields within the Railroad Industry. As fate would have it, Bennett never returned to the Track Maintenance side of our business.

Only spending a short period in each position between 1984 and 1991, Bennett climbed the ladder, beginning in car repair and moving to switching, then to management of operations in DeRidder. Then he was asked to oversee all switching operations in the Southern United States.

"I had barely got my feet wet in managing the DeRidder operation. I was surprised when Dick (Webb) personally asked me to take this position. At this point I knew they had faith in me," Bennett said.

Even though he was a newcomer to the company, Bennett also knew he could have faith in Watco Companies, Inc.

"Early in the game, I saw Watco as a company full of opportunities for those with heart and dedication to work for the good of the company," Bennett added.

And the opportunities kept coming. As Watco Companies kept growing, Bennett was asked to oversee all switching operations nationwide.

Enter the year 2000...to the present; you have Randy Bennett, who is not only responsible for nationwide switching, but now managing existing warehousing and potential opportunities.

"My responsibilities fall under total management, which spans from business development, to safety and operational aspects," Bennett said.

"I was raised where the Kansas City Southern Railroad tracks were 100 ft. from my bedroom window. Trains were a fascination for me. Now they're my livelihood. Right out of high school I went to work for the Maintenance of Way Department for the KCS and was based 8 miles from my home in Louisiana. In the 3 and a half years I worked for them, I moved four times. When they asked me to move the fifth time, I declined," Bennett said.

Ending up with Watco Companies, Inc has proved to be a positive experience for Bennett.

"The family atmosphere is what has held me here. I was told upfront I would never be forced to move as long as Watco had an operation in DeRidder. It may become an option, but never a requirement to uproot and relocate my family."

Bennett has offered his own support to the family atmosphere. His wife, Trish, is his administrative assistant and has been with the Watco Companies for 10 years.

"With the degree of travel associated with my position, I came to the conclusion working together was the only way we would be able to spend significant time together," Bennett said.

And about that tasty Cajun cooking that was mentioned earlier...deep-fried and boiled shrimp and hush puppies. Not only does Bennett know his way around most of the operations of Watco Companies, he also knows how to create a good Louisiana meal. Each November Bennett combines his favorite hobby with good food and good times.

Mindenmines, Missouri, is the hot spot for a few days each deer season as Bennett gathers a group of Watco Companies Switching managers and customers.

"This is the highlight of my year," Bennett said. "I love to deer hunt and for a week I get to spend time with customers and friends. We camp out at the railcar and eat and hunt. That place is a wildlife haven. I have hunted deer since I was 15 and have taken only two trophy class bucks."

Where do you think a Louisiana man finds a couple trophy bucks? Mindenmines, Missouri.

"The first time Rick (Webb) showed me the aerial photos, I new it was a wildlife haven. We had to do some clearing to gain access to the area, and for the last six years I have hunted it. Two trophy bucks...that place has been good to me," Bennett said.

Teresa Wallen joined Watco Companies, corporate office in Pittsburg as payroll and human resources assistant in January. Teresa brings 20 years experience in sales, marketing and customer service. Teresa is also a Mary Kay Cosmetic Consultant and Sales Director. Teresa has 2 daughters and one granddaughter.

Daniel Grubb joined the Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad in Wichita last month. He is working as a conductor/engineer and has experience in safety and personnel.

Also joining the K&O last month was Cody Helms. Cody also works as a conductor and has experience with the army and safety in railroading.

In December, Katy Spencer joined the K and O as dispatcher and accounts receivable clerk. Katy has worked for railroads for more than 22 years and is married with children.

Another addition to the K&O, Shane Saylor, who joined the railroad in January as a conductor. Shane has spent the last 3 years with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe as a carman.

Recent births at the Eastern Idaho Railroad: To Kelly Scarrow, Accounts Receivable Clerk/Dispatcher and her husband Rocky, a baby girl born on December 30th, 2001.

While reading the "The Joplin Globe", a southwest Missouri newspaper, I read an article that I believe in worth mentioning.

According to Surgeon General David Satcher, 60 per cent of American adults are overweight or obese. Three hundred thousand Americans will die this year from illnesses caused or worsened by obesity, a toll that may soon overtake tobacco as chief cause of preventable death in the U.S. This toll has been on the rise for a decade and threatens to wipe out progress fighting cancer, heart disease and other ailments.

My purpose in this article is not to offend, embarrass or frighten anyone, but to inform you of an epidemic out of control that threatens the health and economic future of this nation. Whoa! What happened to us? How did it get like this?

My wife and I were fortunate enough to leave the U.S. last March for vacation and one of the first things I noticed was the lack of obese people. Another thing I didn't see was restaurants offering all you can eat or fast food on every corner tempting you to super size it.

What I did see were people on foot or on bicycles going to or from work, parks and play grounds full of children running, jumping and climbing. Groups of men and women jogging, people taking walks on their lunch and coffee breaks. The city sidewalks were always full of people.

While on our trip we ate the same food as the natives did and we were never hungry or unsatisfied and in general it was the same food available to Americans. So how did we as Americans get like we are?

It's no mystery; we eat too much and exercise too little. Our military would never allow its forces to be overweight and unfit but 60 per cent of adults and 13 per cent of our kids are.

I would be happy to help anyone of you and your family with a diet and exercise plan, Let us all do or part for the better of your family this company and yourself.

Randy Peterson, who works for Watco Companies, Inc. Track Equipment Services in Neodesha, recently returned from working in Panama.

Overseas work is not new to Peterson, as he has done troubleshooting work in Russia, India, Europe and Mexico.

Peterson has been an employee with the Track Equipment Services Division providing his skills and expertise for two and a half years. This type of service, knowledge and abilities are frequently needed and/or requested both in the United States and internationally.

"I started working for the Union Pacific when I was 19, and from there I have worked for companies which allowed me to travel overseas for jobs. I troubleshoot for companies nationwide, so when a company needs work, they just call," Peterson said.

Neosho Central America contacted track equipment services looking for assistance for the new Panama Railroad.

This is the second request, this year, for the Track Equipment Services Division to provide operators/technicians internationally. The operators were asked to assist in the repair of equipment and construction of track and to provide training for the local operators.

"This trip was the second time to Panama. I worked on a tamper, which picks up the rail and tamps rock under it so the track is smooth for the trains to run on it. I was there about a month each trip."

In addition to the technical support provided by the Track Equipment Services Division, the company has also provided leased construction equipment to a United States company that is at work in Panama. That equipment was used in the construction of a new railroad being built, which is funded by the Kansas City Southern.

With the manpower, technical skills and expertise of the employees, of this division of the Watco Co., it is anticipated that as word of mouth spreads the Track Equipment Services Division will have even more request and opportunities for work both at home and abroad.

Paul Fries, former General Manager for the Palouse River and Coulee City Railroad in Washington State, has moved south.

Fries has been named the GM of the newly expanded Stillwater Central Railroad.

Making his way up the ladder of Watco Companies, Inc., Fries has utilized years of railroad experience and knowledge.

Beginning at the Eastern Idaho Railroad in 1994 as a track man, Fries spent a couple years there and moved to Walla Walla, WA, to work as a track inspector for the Blue Mountain Railroad. Just six months later it was back to Idaho Falls, to work as foreman and track inspector for the EIR. The next year and a half was spent as Roadmaster in Colfax, WA, and then to Colfax, WA as trainmaster.

Fries has spent the last year as General Manager for the PCC.

Fries will be located in the main office of the SLWC in Lawton, and can be reached at 580-353-5398.

Brad Smith takes over GM position for PCC Railroad
by Lee Crump
COO Assistant

"My family understands that in life, you often need to make certain short-term sacrifices, for long-term gains. Relocating is one of those sacrifices."

Brad Smith, who has been appointed General Manager of the Palouse River and Coulee City Railroad and his family speak from experience.

Leaving the Army as an infantryman, Brad Smith joined Watco Companies in November 1991, and in that ten years, Brad and his wife Carla and their children J.T. and Marquis, have relocated five times, to five different states.

"I look at each move as an opportunity to learn new things, and apply the knowledge I have picked up along the way, to new situations. In this way I feel I am able to bring a new perspective and build on existing practices to improve the location or profit center as a whole. I am honored to have been asked to take over as General Manager of the PCC Railroad, and I am certain that with the dedication of the people I have already met, and with work on the property today, I will be able to continue to build upon a solid foundation, left by Paul Fries, to tackle some of the challenges that lie ahead and make the PCC a standout performer within the company," Smith said.

Smith's Watco experience spans both Switching and Railroad divisions, having worked at three different switching locations, twice in South Carolina separated by a 1-year tour in Texas, before moving to the Railroad division and the Blue Mountain Railroad (BLMR) in Southeastern Washington. Smith then moved to the Eastern Idaho Railroad, where he has been steadily promoted, starting as a trainman, and eventually becoming Trainmaster of the Idaho Falls territory.

His recent promotion to GM of the PCC encompasses the BLMR, the first railroad he worked on.

"Like Idaho Falls, the PCC suffers a little because of it's lower traffic, and longer mileage. I am familiar with what it takes to keep these kinds of lines profitable, and I look forward to transferring that experience and knowledge to the PCC and it's people."

Smith's past dedication and experience has rewarded him with this promotion, and Watco Companies looks forward to hearing a great deal more about his successes in the future.

Under Smith's leadership, the PCC railroad will continue to trend in the right direction, and I enjoy sharing with the rest of the company his story so that it may be an example for others that want to further their career in the Railroad industry, and with Watco in particular.

Anniversaries

Congratulations to the following dedicated employees who celebrate anniversaries with Watco Companies, Inc., in the month of February.

1 year: Serafin Contreras, Charlie Vogele, Kevin Schoenhofer, William Haveard, Charles Higginbotham, Aaron Spoon;
2 years: James Andrews, John Clark;
3 years: Lance Williams, Brian Bourbina;
4 years: Alan Elliott;
5 years: Gerald Klidies, Stacy Pippitt, Eric Hill;
6 years: Michael Todd, Chad Rose, Troy Tracy;
7 years: Penny Bogle;
8 years: Michael Berley, Billy Davis, Calvin Pike;
9 years: Anthony Bybee;
10 years: Patricia Bennett;
11 years: Marsha Gifford;
13 years: Dale McCord;
16 years: Robert Eady, Jack Lewis;
17 years: Steven Kahler, Gary Rickner.