2022 Summit Schedule

Welcome to the Greater Northwest Passenger Rail Summit. See the latest Speakers list here.

Summit Registration

$200.00	Registration, in person
$55.00	Registration, virtual
$275.00	Registration with Tuesday Gala Dinner

Tickets for the Gala Dinner are available for spouses and +1s.

1. Go to https://allaboardnw.org/events/greater-northwest-passenger-rail-summit-2022/ and select "Gala Dinner Only (Summit registration not included)”

2. Enter the payment information.

3. A receipt will be displayed, which can be printed. A copy will also be sent by email.

This schedule is tentative and subject to change.

Monday, August 22

8:00 - 12:00 noon - Conference room set-up

BSPRA members/volunteers

FRA / Build America Bureau Office Hours
- Funding programs
- Safety programs
- Interstate compacts
GNW Leadership Meeting

12:00 noon - Registration and Check-in

1:00 pm - Official Welcome and Opening Remarks

BSPRA Chairman Dave Strohmaier; FRA Administrator Amit Bose

2:00 pm - Session 1: FRA presentation

Lyle Leitelt, Katie List, and Contractor TBD

Section 22214 Study
Corridor ID Program

3:00 pm - Session 2: Transportation Equity

Moderator: Luis Moscoso

Jim Mathews, RPA
Meredith Richards, RPA
John Robert Smith, Transportation for America
Anna Zivarts (remote), Disability Mobility Initiative

4:00 pm - Session 3: Quality of Life impacts/benefits

Moderator: Gary Wirt

Tyler Amundson, Executive Director, Big Sky Senior Services, Billings, MT
Nate Kavanagh (remote), President, Cut Bank, MT Chamber of Commerce
Phil Rico, Mayor of Trinidad, CO
Hal Gard, Jacobs
Breck Lebegue, WA Physicians for Social Responsibility

5:00 pm - Session 4: Tribal impacts/benefits

Moderator: TBD

Arlando Teller, USDOT
Martin Charlo, CSKT
Darrel Hernandez, Oglala Sioux Tribe
HollyAnna Littlebull, Yakama Nation

6:00 pm - Session 5: Economic impacts/benefits

Moderator: Juan Escano

Thomas Freyer, Alberta Regional Rail
Jim Mathews, RPA
Bruce Agnew, PNWER
Laura Shabe, Jacobs
Cat Dobbs/Spencer Dodge, HDR

7:00 pm - Buffet Dinner

Screening of In Transit
More FRA Office Hours/Q&A
Cash bar available

Tuesday, August 23

8:00 am - Breakout Sessions

Mark Quam, Scott Rogers, Dan Bilka, Mike Christensen

Breakout #1: Existing Service – Protect, Enhance, Improve
Breakout #2: Other Future Routes

9:00 am - Session 6: 22214 Study Routes

Dave Strohmaier, Elaine Clegg

North Coast Limited/Hiawatha Route
Pioneer Route
Other Routes

10:00 am - Session 7: Environmental Benefits

Moderator: TBD

Tim Gould, Sierra Club of Washington
Dava Kaitala, Jacobs
Catt Dobbs/Spencer Dodge, HDR
Abe Zumwalt, David L. Evans Associates
Northern Plains Resource Council

11:00 am - Session 8: Host Railroad Collaboration

Moderator: Barry Green

Jim Tylick, BNSF
Dava Kaitala, Jacobs
Cat Dobbs/Spencer Dodge, HDR
Bruce Agnew/Andrew Johnson, PNWER

12:00 noon - Lunch Service

1:00 pm - Session 9: Passenger Rail/Freight Rail Synchronicity

Moderator: TBD

Sean Jeans-Gail, RPA
Dava Kaitala, Jacobs
Cat Dobbs/Spencer Dodge, HDR

2:00 pm - Session 10: IIJA Analysis and Opportunities

Moderator: TBD

Leo Wetula, Build America Bureau
Bruce Agnew/Andrew Johnson, PNWER
Meredith Richards or Sean Jeans-Gail, RPA
Laura Shabe, Jacobs

3:00 pm - Session 11: Political/Legal Process of Rail Route Restoration

Moderator: Margie MacDonald, Retired MT State Senator, Billings

Karen Hedlund, US Surface Transportation Board
Sen. Chris Gorsek, Oregon Senate Rail Caucus (remote)
Peter Fletcher, Executive Director, La Crosse Area Planning Committee (remote)
Scott Rogers, Vice President, Governmental Affairs, Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce (remote)
Jim Mathews, RPA

4:00 pm - Summit Wrap-Up and Calls to Action

BSPRA, AANW, AAWA, AAMN, AORTA, Utah RPA, RPA, chairpersons and top officials present

6:00 pm - Gala Dinner w/keynote speaker and auction at Billings Depot

Meredith Richards, Chair, Rail Passengers Association

Passed Hors d’oeuvres Course
Duck Pate with Crostini / Candied Bacon

Salad Course
Five Green Salad w. Huckleberry Vinaigrette

Entree Course
Option 1 - 12oz Bison Ribeye with Herbed Butter / Whipped Potatoes / Roasted Asparagus
Option 2 - Rainbow Trout with Butter Crumb
Option 3 - Vegetarian

Dessert Course
New York Cheesecake, Tuxedo-Style