UP's Barry Michaels Named Winner of IANA Silver Kingpin Award

CALVERTON, Md., Sept. 26, 2011 – The Intermodal Association of North America announced today that Barry Michaels, Vice President of Intermodal Operations at the Union Pacific Railroad Co., is the winner of the prestigious 2011 IANA Silver Kingpin Award. Michaels will receive the award on November 14 during the Opening General Session of the 2011 IANA Intermodal Expo at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga. The Silver Kingpin Award recognizes individuals for their significant, long-term contributions to the intermodal industry.

The IANA Awards Committee recognized Michaels for a lifetime of tireless work as an intermodal advocate, serving twice as IANA’s Chair, seven years as Chair of the IANA Operations Committee, and 14 years on the Intermodal Interchange Executive Committee. He was instrumental in the development of recommended practices to facilitate implementation of the Federal roadability rules, and is seen by many as the force behind the roadability compliance effort for all Class I railroads.

IANA Chairman Steve Rubin said, “Barry is unique in his ability to put the industry and IANA ahead of any parochial interests. His knowledge and determination have served him well and it is my honor, as IANA’s chairman, to be able to recognize his career contributions by presenting him with this year’s Silver Kingpin Award.”

Michaels started his career at the Chicago Northwestern Railroad in 1971 and remained there until the 1995 UP/CNW merger, when he became UP’s Assistant Vice President, Intermodal Operations. During his tenure at UP, Barry worked on developing programs to support the growth of domestic container traffic in North America, including the implementation of terminal gate automation which improved operational efficiencies and increased throughput.

The Silver Kingpin is the intermodal transportation industry’s longest enduring awards. It has been given every year since 1977, when it was originally presented by the Chicago Piggyback Association. Subsequently, it was repositioned as a national award by the National Piggyback Association – which later became the National Railroad Intermodal Association – one of three organizations that consolidated to form IANA in 1991.

IANA is North America's leading industry trade association representing the combined interests of the intermodal freight industry. IANA's membership includes railroads, water carriers and stacktrain operators; port authorities; intermodal truckers and over-the-road highway carriers; intermodal marketing and logistics companies; and suppliers to the industry, such as equipment manufacturers, intermodal leasing companies and consulting firms. IANA's associate members include shippers, academic institutions, government entities and nonprofit associations.