Metra worker named a "rising star"

Lexie Walker, the Manager of Capital Projects in Metra’s Mechanical Department, was honored Sunday as one of the railroad industry’s “Rising Stars” by Progressive Railroading magazine. She received the recognition during the annual conference of the American Association of Railroad Superintendents in Baltimore, Md.

 

The magazine defines a “Rising Star” as someone under 40 years of age 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.

 

“Ms. Walker has risen through the ranks at Metra with her can-do attitude, her willingness to learn and take on new challenges and her ability to pay attention to details without losing sight of the big picture,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno.

 

Ms. Walker, 30, of Tinley Park, entered a program at Metra for recent college graduates after graduating from Marquette University in June 2008. She was immediately asked to familiarize herself with the agency’s rolling stock, which she did by spending a great deal of time on the equipment and working with field personnel. She was then assigned in 2009 to the development of a new approach to a car rehabilitation program, including the conversion and upgrade of the ADA lifts and replacement of the floor with composite materials.

 

In 2010, she was named the project engineer on a major, six-year $115 million program to renovate 176 cab and trailer cars that were originally built by Amerail and delivered to Metra between 1994 and 1996. It was the most ambitious rail car renovation program ever undertaken by Metra, and it has been highly successful.

 

Ms. Walker developed the scope of the work by working with Metra’s various operating districts to identify what was working well and what needed to change on the worn cars. She then collaborated with staff to develop the technical guidance for the various crafts that would be working on the car renovations. Never afraid to question why something is done, she made several suggestions that were adopted in the rehabilitation, setting new concepts into practice. 

 

While working on the Amerail project, Ms. Walker took on auxiliary tasks. She served as one of the Mechanical Department’s representatives at regular meetings with the Federal Transit Administration and the Regional Transportation Authority. She also assumed responsibility for the department’s capital log, combining many capital programs into one database, and contributed to the development of the department’s short- and long-range strategic plans. She also sits on Metra’s ADA Committee and represents Metra at events such as the Transportation Symposium and Women in Transportation Symposium.

 

In March 2013, she was promoted to Project Manager of the car rehab projects, where she began developing the scope of work for the rehabilitation of another set of Metra cars manufactured by Budd. In December 2013, she was promoted to Manager of Capital Projects due to her leadership qualities. In that role she oversees and coordinates the material and labor for the two car rehab projects and secures and monitors capital expenditures for two locomotive rehab projects.

 

“Throughout her career at Metra, Ms. Walker continually has shown a high level of dedication to any assignment given, large and small,” Orseno said. “Her attention to detail is widely known by her co-workers. In a short time she has demonstrated a willingness to be a team player and a group leader and has gained the respect of her co-workers and managers. Her contributions to the agency outpace her years of service. She is a true asset to Metra and definitely a rising star.”