Awards and Honors

We’re not in it for the recognition. We just want to do the right thing. But it’s nice to be appreciated.

Business Recognition

  • 2022 & 2021 American Equity Underwriters Association Safety Award*
  • 2024 ASLRRA Business Development Award – Mission Mountain Railroad
  • 2022 ASLRRA Jake Awards with Distinction* (23 railroads)
  • 2022 ASLRRA Jake Awards* (4 railroads)
  • 2022 ASLRRA President’s Safety Award – Watco Switching
  • 2024 ASLRRA Safety Person of the Year – Sam Pederson
  • 2024 ASLRRA Short Line Railroad Hall of Fame – Rick Webb
  • 2024 ASLRRA Veterans Engagement Award
  • 2023 & 2022 Best Practice Institute Most Loved Workplace®
  • 2024 Military Friendly Veteran Champions of the Year in Corporate America – Shannon Parker
  • 2023 & 2022 Newsweek America’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces®
  • 2023 Newsweek Global Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces®
  • 2022 OnCon Top 100 Human Resources Professionals – Rachael Peterson
  • 2022 Progressive Railroading Railroad Innovator Award – Rick Webb
  • 2023 Ragan Top Women in Communications – Cori Kallenbach
  • 2024 Railway Age Fast Tracker – Lucas Conrad
  • 2023 Railway Age Fast Tracker – Cameron Ginther
  • 2022 Railway Age Fast Tracker – Damien Cantrell
  • 2022 Railway Age Regional Railroad of the Year – South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad
  • 2024 Railway Age Short Line Railroad of the Year Honorable Mention – Eastern Idaho Railroad
  • 2023 Railway Age Women in Rail – Carla Ewing
  • 2022 Railway Track & Structures Top Projects – Stillwater Central Railroad Bridges
  • 2022 Transport Topics Top 100 Logistics Companies
  • 2023 VETS Indexes 3 Star Employer Award*Based on prior calendar year data  

Honoring Team Members

Each quarter, Watco recognizes team members for taking action, living Watco’s values, and making a difference in lives and communities with our Be the Difference Awards.