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Boileau speaks on past, future: AREMA's outgoing president, Bob Boileau, looks back on his tenure and what he thinks is in store for the association in the coming years.

Article Excerpt
Bob Boileau took the helm of AREMA with more than three decades of railroading under his belt. He used his experience to steer the association during a sour economy and continued a focus on industry recruitment by overseeing the awarding of the largest number of scholarships in the AREMA Educational Foundation's history.

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Boileau, assistant vice president engineering services at BNSF, tells Railway Track & Structures about his term, his thoughts over the past year and what he sees for AREMA in the future.

RT&S: How did your "day job" at BNSF prepare you for your role as AREMA president?

Boileau: In my now 31 years with BNSF, I have worked in the track, structures, engineering and construction groups. During this entire time, I have interacted with consultants, contractors and suppliers who have provided services to our company and the industry. Our membership is made up of this constituency, along with rail employees of course, so I have good idea of what services AREMA needs to provide to the industry and who makes it happen. My company has a strong focus on leadership and building relationships. This emphasis works well in AREMA, since the members arc volunteers and are serving the industry through their work within the organization. I have been a member of AREMA since 1982 and have been active in committee work and on the Board. This industry has me "hooked" and I am thankful I joined the railroad and made it my...