Event Calendar
Past Event
Sandhouse Rail Group Meeting: "The Chicago Region and Beyond 2026 Commuter Railroad Update" - James M. "Jim" Derwinski and Dave Dech
Northwestern University Transportation Center
12:00 PM
//
Metra Headquarters (13th Floor)
Details
Northwestern University Transportation Center Hagestad Sandhouse Rail Group presents:
The Chicago Region and Beyond 2026 Commuter Railroad Update
JAMES (JIM) DERWINSKI
Chief Executive Officer
METRA
DAVE DECH
President/General Manager
South Shore Line
When: Wednesday, May 27, 2026 @ 12:00pm / Noon CT
Where: Metra Board Room, Metra Headquarters - 13th Floor
547 W. Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60661 (SW corner of Clinton & Jackson)
The presentation will be held in the Metra Board of Director’s Room, 13th Floor, 547 W. Jackson Boulevard in Chicago. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Presentations begin at Noon. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation. Wrap-up is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Please bring your own lunch. Water and soft drinks will be provided.
FOR SECURITY AND ADMITTANCE PURPOSES PLEASE REGISTER IN ADVANCE. THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THIS EVENT
Advance Registration Required - A government issued ID required to gain access to Metra Headquarters
LINK
Remote attendance also available (please register at the link above)
Speaker Bios:
James M. “Jim” Derwinski was named CEO/Executive Director of Metra in August 2017. In that role, he provides overall leadership and direction to all areas of Metra operations and administration to ensure that Metra achieves its vision, mission, goals, and objectives. Financial responsibility includes oversight of Metra’s budget, which totals more than $1 billion for operations and capital.
Mr. Derwinski had a long career in Metra’s Mechanical Department, culminating with his appointment as Chief Mechanical Officer, responsible for the repair, inspection, cleaning, and maintenance of nearly 1,200 railcars and locomotives. He was also in charge of Metra’s in-house railcar and locomotive rehabilitation programs, a contract for locomotive remanufacturing and the installation of Positive Train Control on cab cars and engines.
After a six-year stint in the U.S. Navy as an electrician on nuclear submarines, Mr. Derwinski began his railroad career as a locomotive electrician with the Chicago & North Western Railroad in 1993. He joined Metra as an electrician in 1997 and steadily rose through the ranks serving as a foreman, general foreman, shop superintendent, director of systems maintenance, locomotive superintendent, Rock Island division director and Milwaukee division director and then senior director of mechanical operations. He was named Chief Mechanical Officer in September 2013.
Dave Dech is the President of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD), bringing more than 30 years of experience in passenger and freight rail leadership. He previously served as Executive Director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, where he oversaw Tri Rail operations, delivered record ridership, and launched the Miami Link service into downtown Miami.
Before SFRTA, Dech was Vice President of Rail Operations for Capital Metro in Austin, leading major infrastructure projects, doubling freight throughput, and achieving 97% on time performance. His earlier career at CSX Transportation spanned more than two decades, progressing from locomotive engineer to senior executive roles overseeing passenger operations, major public private partnerships, and some of the railroad’s largest operating divisions.
Known for his collaborative leadership style and operational expertise, Dech has held national roles including Vice Chair of the Commuter Rail Coalition. He is a graduate of the Harvard Executive Leadership Program and has dedicated his career to advancing safe, reliable, and customer focused rail service. He and his wife of 30 years are the proud parents of four sons.
Time
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Location
Metra Headquarters (13th Floor)
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern University Transportation Center
NUTC Exec Ed (Summer 2026) Freight Transportation & Logistics
Northwestern University Transportation Center
8:00 AM
//
Ruan Conference Center, Chambers Hall
Details
EXECUTIVE EDUCATION SERIES
Freight Transportation & Logistics:
Resilient Freight Leadership: Navigating Recovery, Disruption, and the Future of Moving Freight
July 20-22, 2026
CLICK TO REGISTER - JULY 2026
Northwestern University Transportation Center’s (NUTC) 2026 Executive Education Freight Transportation & Logistics program, Resilient Freight Leadership - Navigating Recovery, Disruption, and the Future of Moving Freight, will be offered on July 20-22 at NUTC headquarters in Evanston.
Over the last couple of years, the global logistics community has managed challenges across the first, middle, and final mile. The ongoing global turbulence associated with war-related disruptions and complex tariff policies in the supply of various commodities, labor recruitment challenges, and inflation have continued to pressure supply chains and increase volatility on both the demand and supply sides. Even with a gradual recovery from the “freight recession,” other economic and operational uncertainties will continue to impact the freight transportation system across every mode and across all geographies. In this essential three-day Executive Education program, Northwestern faculty and industry experts will provide fundamental knowledge and practical insights for managing through these challenges and beyond.
NUTC’s Freight Transportation & Logistics three-day Executive Education program has a proven track record of delivering current and forward-looking insight and actionable knowledge into North American/global transportation and supply chains. From domestic transportation (intermodal, parcel and last mile delivery, rail, third-party logistics, trucking, warehousing), to international transportation (air cargo, ocean shipping, ports, sourcing), the program provides an unmatched view into how freight moves. Attendees will get a first-hand look at domestic and international logistics and supply chain trends and learn how to leverage freight management technology and data analytics for greater efficiency and resilience. This program is specifically designed for early- to mid-level transportation managers, at both carriers and shippers, to deepen their overall knowledge of the freight transportation ecosystem.
Program content will be thoroughly integrated by our instructors, so that participants will gain a comprehensive understanding and view of both domestic and international transportation sectors. The program is interactive in nature and will provide many opportunities for discussions with faculty and fellow participants. Prior knowledge and experience in logistics, transportation and supply chain management will be useful, but is not a prerequisite.
INSTRUCTORS
Mark Baxa - President and CEO, CSCMP
Mike Brennan - Advisor, Farmer’s Fridge
Mike Burton – CEO, MEDLOG
Eric Jakubowski - Rail consultant
Shawn McWhorter - President (Americas Region), Nippon Cargo Airlines
Marty O'Hara - CenterPoint Properties, VP Strategic Projects & Planning
Chris Pickett - Chief Operating Officer, Flock Freight
Steven Rothberg - Founding Partner, Mercator International
Ian Savage - Associate Chair and Professor of Instruction in Economics, Northwestern
Joseph L. Schofer - Professor Emeritus of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern
Bill Seliger - Director, Amazon Delivery Central Operations, Amazon
Dana Thompson - Transportation and Logistics Strategy Consultant, Timothy L Jones & Associates
Jan Van Mieghem - A.C. Buehler Professor & Deputy Dean, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern
Justin Zubrod - Managing Partner, Justin Zubrod & Co.
TOPICS
Freight Transportation & Logistics Trends
Data Science & Transportation Analytics
Managing Under Uncertainty
Global Sourcing (On / Near-Shoring) Strategy
Freight & Logistics Operations:
> Air Cargo
> Intermodal
> Ocean Shipping and Ports
> Rail
> Trucking
> 3PL/4PL, Brokerage, Warehouse
Package / Parcel Shipping & Last-Mile Services
Freight Performance Measurement
Transportation Pricing & Costs
Future of Freight Technology and Trends
REGISTRATION
Registration includes attendee tuition, materials, breakfast, lunch and a welcome reception.
For group rates, please contact Bret Johnson.
General Registration (early bird $2500) (increase to $3,000 on June 20)
Business Advisory Council Company Employees ($2,200)
Look up Business Advisory Council companies
Government & Academic Professionals ($2,300)
CLICK TO REGISTER - JULY 2026
Time
Monday, July 20, 2026 at 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location
Ruan Conference Center, Chambers Hall Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern University Transportation Center
NUTC Exec Ed (Summer 2026) Freight Transportation & Logistics
Northwestern University Transportation Center
8:00 AM
//
Ruan Conference Center, Chambers Hall
Details
EXECUTIVE EDUCATION SERIES
Freight Transportation & Logistics:
Resilient Freight Leadership: Navigating Recovery, Disruption, and the Future of Moving Freight
July 20-22, 2026
CLICK TO REGISTER - JULY 2026
Northwestern University Transportation Center’s (NUTC) 2026 Executive Education Freight Transportation & Logistics program, Resilient Freight Leadership - Navigating Recovery, Disruption, and the Future of Moving Freight, will be offered on July 20-22 at NUTC headquarters in Evanston.
Over the last couple of years, the global logistics community has managed challenges across the first, middle, and final mile. The ongoing global turbulence associated with war-related disruptions and complex tariff policies in the supply of various commodities, labor recruitment challenges, and inflation have continued to pressure supply chains and increase volatility on both the demand and supply sides. Even with a gradual recovery from the “freight recession,” other economic and operational uncertainties will continue to impact the freight transportation system across every mode and across all geographies. In this essential three-day Executive Education program, Northwestern faculty and industry experts will provide fundamental knowledge and practical insights for managing through these challenges and beyond.
NUTC’s Freight Transportation & Logistics three-day Executive Education program has a proven track record of delivering current and forward-looking insight and actionable knowledge into North American/global transportation and supply chains. From domestic transportation (intermodal, parcel and last mile delivery, rail, third-party logistics, trucking, warehousing), to international transportation (air cargo, ocean shipping, ports, sourcing), the program provides an unmatched view into how freight moves. Attendees will get a first-hand look at domestic and international logistics and supply chain trends and learn how to leverage freight management technology and data analytics for greater efficiency and resilience. This program is specifically designed for early- to mid-level transportation managers, at both carriers and shippers, to deepen their overall knowledge of the freight transportation ecosystem.
Program content will be thoroughly integrated by our instructors, so that participants will gain a comprehensive understanding and view of both domestic and international transportation sectors. The program is interactive in nature and will provide many opportunities for discussions with faculty and fellow participants. Prior knowledge and experience in logistics, transportation and supply chain management will be useful, but is not a prerequisite.
INSTRUCTORS
Mark Baxa - President and CEO, CSCMP
Mike Brennan - Advisor, Farmer’s Fridge
Mike Burton – CEO, MEDLOG
Eric Jakubowski - Rail consultant
Shawn McWhorter - President (Americas Region), Nippon Cargo Airlines
Marty O'Hara - CenterPoint Properties, VP Strategic Projects & Planning
Chris Pickett - Chief Operating Officer, Flock Freight
Steven Rothberg - Founding Partner, Mercator International
Ian Savage - Associate Chair and Professor of Instruction in Economics, Northwestern
Joseph L. Schofer - Professor Emeritus of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern
Bill Seliger - Director, Amazon Delivery Central Operations, Amazon
Dana Thompson - Transportation and Logistics Strategy Consultant, Timothy L Jones & Associates
Jan Van Mieghem - A.C. Buehler Professor & Deputy Dean, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern
Justin Zubrod - Managing Partner, Justin Zubrod & Co.
TOPICS
Freight Transportation & Logistics Trends
Data Science & Transportation Analytics
Managing Under Uncertainty
Global Sourcing (On / Near-Shoring) Strategy
Freight & Logistics Operations:
> Air Cargo
> Intermodal
> Ocean Shipping and Ports
> Rail
> Trucking
> 3PL/4PL, Brokerage, Warehouse
Package / Parcel Shipping & Last-Mile Services
Freight Performance Measurement
Transportation Pricing & Costs
Future of Freight Technology and Trends
REGISTRATION
Registration includes attendee tuition, materials, breakfast, lunch and a welcome reception.
For group rates, please contact Bret Johnson.
General Registration (early bird $2500) (increase to $3,000 on June 20)
Business Advisory Council Company Employees ($2,200)
Look up Business Advisory Council companies
Government & Academic Professionals ($2,300)
CLICK TO REGISTER - JULY 2026
Time
Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location
Ruan Conference Center, Chambers Hall Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern University Transportation Center
NUTC Exec Ed (Summer 2026) Freight Transportation & Logistics
Northwestern University Transportation Center
8:00 AM
//
Ruan Conference Center, Chambers Hall
Details
EXECUTIVE EDUCATION SERIES
Freight Transportation & Logistics:
Resilient Freight Leadership: Navigating Recovery, Disruption, and the Future of Moving Freight
July 20-22, 2026
CLICK TO REGISTER - JULY 2026
Northwestern University Transportation Center’s (NUTC) 2026 Executive Education Freight Transportation & Logistics program, Resilient Freight Leadership - Navigating Recovery, Disruption, and the Future of Moving Freight, will be offered on July 20-22 at NUTC headquarters in Evanston.
Over the last couple of years, the global logistics community has managed challenges across the first, middle, and final mile. The ongoing global turbulence associated with war-related disruptions and complex tariff policies in the supply of various commodities, labor recruitment challenges, and inflation have continued to pressure supply chains and increase volatility on both the demand and supply sides. Even with a gradual recovery from the “freight recession,” other economic and operational uncertainties will continue to impact the freight transportation system across every mode and across all geographies. In this essential three-day Executive Education program, Northwestern faculty and industry experts will provide fundamental knowledge and practical insights for managing through these challenges and beyond.
NUTC’s Freight Transportation & Logistics three-day Executive Education program has a proven track record of delivering current and forward-looking insight and actionable knowledge into North American/global transportation and supply chains. From domestic transportation (intermodal, parcel and last mile delivery, rail, third-party logistics, trucking, warehousing), to international transportation (air cargo, ocean shipping, ports, sourcing), the program provides an unmatched view into how freight moves. Attendees will get a first-hand look at domestic and international logistics and supply chain trends and learn how to leverage freight management technology and data analytics for greater efficiency and resilience. This program is specifically designed for early- to mid-level transportation managers, at both carriers and shippers, to deepen their overall knowledge of the freight transportation ecosystem.
Program content will be thoroughly integrated by our instructors, so that participants will gain a comprehensive understanding and view of both domestic and international transportation sectors. The program is interactive in nature and will provide many opportunities for discussions with faculty and fellow participants. Prior knowledge and experience in logistics, transportation and supply chain management will be useful, but is not a prerequisite.
INSTRUCTORS
Mark Baxa - President and CEO, CSCMP
Mike Brennan - Advisor, Farmer’s Fridge
Mike Burton – CEO, MEDLOG
Eric Jakubowski - Rail consultant
Shawn McWhorter - President (Americas Region), Nippon Cargo Airlines
Marty O'Hara - CenterPoint Properties, VP Strategic Projects & Planning
Chris Pickett - Chief Operating Officer, Flock Freight
Steven Rothberg - Founding Partner, Mercator International
Ian Savage - Associate Chair and Professor of Instruction in Economics, Northwestern
Joseph L. Schofer - Professor Emeritus of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern
Bill Seliger - Director, Amazon Delivery Central Operations, Amazon
Dana Thompson - Transportation and Logistics Strategy Consultant, Timothy L Jones & Associates
Jan Van Mieghem - A.C. Buehler Professor & Deputy Dean, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern
Justin Zubrod - Managing Partner, Justin Zubrod & Co.
TOPICS
Freight Transportation & Logistics Trends
Data Science & Transportation Analytics
Managing Under Uncertainty
Global Sourcing (On / Near-Shoring) Strategy
Freight & Logistics Operations:
> Air Cargo
> Intermodal
> Ocean Shipping and Ports
> Rail
> Trucking
> 3PL/4PL, Brokerage, Warehouse
Package / Parcel Shipping & Last-Mile Services
Freight Performance Measurement
Transportation Pricing & Costs
Future of Freight Technology and Trends
REGISTRATION
Registration includes attendee tuition, materials, breakfast, lunch and a welcome reception.
For group rates, please contact Bret Johnson.
General Registration (early bird $2500) (increase to $3,000 on June 20)
Business Advisory Council Company Employees ($2,200)
Look up Business Advisory Council companies
Government & Academic Professionals ($2,300)
CLICK TO REGISTER - JULY 2026
Time
Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location
Ruan Conference Center, Chambers Hall Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern University Transportation Center