REMSA Spotlights WVCO Business Manager, Rob Loomis!

The Willamette Valley Company (WVCO) has had a long, productive relationship with the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association(REMSA) that has benefited both our company and the rail products industry as a whole. REMSA recently featured WVCO Business Manager and REMSA Board member, Rob Loomis, as their “Board Member of the Month”. Here is what he had to say.

REMSA: What do you enjoy most about being on the REMSA Board?
Rob Loomis: The best part of being part of the board is being able to help our membership. Whether it is advocating for our industry for tax savings, funding, or promoting our value to Class 1 railroads, I enjoy delivering value to our membership.

REMSA: What has your experience on REMSA Board taught you and what is your vision for the future of REMSA?
The greatest lesson I have learn, or rather reinforced what I know, is that we as a whole can accomplish more than we can as individuals. Our success is a team effort and even if we compete in the industry, we all win if we work together.

REMSA: Do you participate in any committees as a REMSA Director?
Rob Loomis: Currently, I am the Chairman with the Government Affairs committee and support the efforts of the Exhibit and Long Range Planning committees.

REMSA: How did you get started in the rail industry?
Rob Loomis: My first exposure to the rail industry was in developing hopper car lining and tie-plugging and concrete tie repair products to extend the life of these assets.

REMSA: What do you love most about your job/the rail industry?
Rob Loomis: Mostly the people. Their focus on safety and delivering value in everything they do. This focus allows companies like Willamette Valley Company to invest in developing innovative solutions for customers who care about reducing overall costs and improving safety.

REMSA: What do you find yourself doing most in your downtime? Hobbies outside of work?
Rob Loomis: Family time, backpacking, dirt/mountain biking, or simply throwing a tennis ball for my Chesapeake Bay retriever.

REMSA: How do you define the “future” of rail? Where do you think the industry is headed?
Rob Loomis: The future of rail is like the future of the internet. It is our future and always will be. The more people recognize the value of rail transportation, the cleaner the environment will be, the lower the cost will be to tax payers, and the healthier our economy will be.

The rail industry is headed in the right direction and they will add more technology to help reduce costs and improve our overall supply chain for the country. It is our responsibility as members, to educate the leaders in this industry how we deliver value and lower their costs by reducing repeat maintenance, or extending the life cycle of their assets, with our products and solutions.

You can read more about WVCO’s partnership with REMSA by clicking here or visit www.remsa.org to learn more about the organization and its members.