Benjamin Sharpe Email & Phone Number

Fort Worth, Texas, US

Fort Worth, Texas, US

• Lead seven direct reports driving organizational change management and sustainability of new advanced dispatching software across organization of 500+ transportation dispatchers.➙ Deployed dispatching software across.
• Accelerated terminal processing and reduced train delays related to track maintenance through operational process improvements across network operations center.
• Oversee dispatcher hiring and training (84 new dispatchers in 2023), significantly improving retention.

Fort Worth, Texas, US

• Managed 5 direct reports and 150+ staff responsible for scheduling groups (transportation, mechanical, engineering, intermodal), impacting locomotive planning, fuel conservation and train yard and engine (TY&E) crew.
• Ensured short- and long-term locomotive fleet plan and TY&E hiring plan met demand and delivered Berkshire Hathaway carbon footprint reduction goals.➙ Drove proposal development to support improvement plan converting.

Fort Worth, Texas, US

• Drove service interruption initiative across departments to achieve alignment, reducing repeat offender locations 10% and reducing delays.
• Led train size optimization initiative to increase 138 units-per-train to a goal of 145 units-per-train, exceeding the goal resulting in $150 million savings due to reduced train starts.
• Partnered with technology services department to develop new BI tools to support train performance.

Fort Worth, Texas, US

• During Covid pandemic, led initiative and partnered with labor relations to update antiquated practices and labor agreements at BNSF’s largest hump yard to cut costs over 30% and align with other terminals.
• Led cross-functional collective teams to employ in-train wheel change to enable reduced car and train dwell (operational repurposing) between the yard in Wellington, KS and Turner Yard in Kansas City.
• Received system-wide Bell Award for lowest overall injury frequency ratio in 2019 and 2020.

Fort Worth, Texas, US

• Established first train doubling process for empty coal trains on BNSF network.
• Integrated cultures of two operating divisions into single identity that increased cross-department collaboration.

Fort Worth, Texas, US

• Designed and implemented Twin Cities leadership academy with virtual and in-person sessions, assembling various department heads to transfer knowledge to mid-level managers.➙ Designed and launched Ben’s Brown Bag.
• Created and delivered weekly performance dashboard based on key metrics for managers and executives.
• Established Empire Builder award for superintendent territory based on best month-over-month percentage improvement in velocity to bring awareness and focus on key business metrics.

Fort Worth, Texas, US

• Directed daily dispatch of trains and maintenance activities for Springfield, Nebraska and Powder River divisions covering 3,500 miles of track and 150 active trains.➙ Served as senior leader for team of 50+.
• Represented central region leadership on joint leadership team and safety committee.
• Achieved 2% relief crew rate (one of lowest in BNSF operations), contributing to additional $11 million cost savings in Powder River division.
• Led mentor circle of eight frontline leaders across various departments.
• In partnership with corporate safety and a national safety consulting firm, became certified and facilitated Collaboration and Safety Contacts workshops for network operations leaders and frontline supervisors.

Fort Worth, Texas, US

• Provided support and analytics to transportation and marketing departments to meet customer expectations and terminal and line-segment capabilities in the North region.
• Researched, developed and implemented service plan changes to consistently balance customer performance and expectations with terminal resources and line-segment capacity.
• Led teams for tactical and strategic terminal design changes to meet performance abilities.
• Filled in for various leadership roles across region throughout winter months.

Fort Worth, Texas, US

• Served as leader for River, Amory and Birmingham subdivisions and Memphis terminal.➙ Led regular safety, local chairmen and town hall meetings, developing relationships and building processes resulting in year-end.
• Developed process with CN Railroad to use their locomotives as second set of power to reduce expenses.
• Increased territory merchandise velocity from 55 MPD to 105 MPD (90% improvement) and territory total connection performance to 91% (10% improvement).
• Partnered with engineering and short-line development groups to work with Ripley and New Albany Railroad to remove 25 mph diamond on 1% grade at New Albany, MS, saving $700,000 in expenses.

Fort Worth, Texas, US

• Served as senior tactical officer during each shift, providing regular performance updates and communicating alternative plans if needed.
• Collaborated with other terminal senior leaders to create trainmaster development checklist for trainmasters (frontline supervisors) to ensure continued success.
• Partnered with mechanical and safety departments to eliminate train placement restrictions, leading to system-wide adoption (empty rail car placement and SSI item 3 general order).
• Developed customer service group strategy to improve operational effectiveness and customer satisfaction, increasing car connection performance 25%.➙ Created pamphlet to educate and aid frontline supervisors.
• Initiated Top Gun program for yardmasters and control operators to track and reward top performers.

Fort Worth, Texas, US

• Worked with division leadership and telecommunications to install new ETD repeater in a timely manner to address multiple communications problems.
• Served as temporary terminal manager for Fort Worth (FTW) Terminal Complex and Oklahoma City.
• Created FTW Terminal reference guide with timetables and track charts for all BNSF and foreign railroad adjoining subdivisions.
• Reduced cost-per-crew expenses 30% through improved scheduling that minimized overtime.
• Led 72-hour operations test teams twice monthly to educate frontline supervisors and increase oversight and accountability across division.
• Attended supply chain forums at The University of Tennessee with multiple members of BNSF senior leadership and participated in mentoring circle program.

Fort Worth, Texas, US

Atlanta, Georgia, US

Fort Worth, Texas, US

Two summer internships, 2003 and 2004.