Progressive Railroading has announced that NRC President Ashley Wieland is among 25 professionals selected as 2020 Rising Stars of the North American railroad industry.

Progressive Railroading defines a Rising Star as someone under the age of 40 who has made, or is making, a positive impact on his or her company, organization, department or team, and is viewed by others — peers, colleagues, supervisors, clients or associates — as an up-and-coming leader in the rail industry.

The award winners were chosen based on their contributions to the railroad industry, career achievements, demonstrated leadership, professional association activity or community involvement.

Matt Ginsberg, president and founder of TGA Association Management Solutions LLC, nominated Ashley and lauded her contributions to the NRC as well as the broader rail industry.  “Since rejoining the association in the summer of 2019, Ashley has infused the organization with renewed energy, passion and focus.”

Read Ashley’s Rising Star Profile on ProgressiveRailroading.com

Ashley and other Rising Stars were honored in a virtual event on Thursday, July 30, 2020. All of their stories are profiled on ProgressiveRailroading.com and will be featured in the magazine's September 2020 issue.

This is the eighth year that Progressive Railroading has sponsored the Rising Stars Awards program. Its dates back to 2013 when Progressive Railroading set out to discover how rail businesses are trying to recruit and retain new railroaders and who are some of the industry's up-and-comers. Their "Rising Stars" program is a by-product of that effort and was launched to identify individuals under the age of 40 who already are making a difference in the rail industry.