July 13–14, 2026
MARS Summer Meeting
The State of Rail: Where We Are & What Comes Next
Grand Geneva Resort · Lake Geneva, WI
Full two-day agenda below. Open a presentation to read its detailed summary and connect with the speaker on LinkedIn.
Agenda
All times CT
- 7:00 AMMARS Registration· Ballroom Foyer
- 7:00 AMBreakfast & Networking
Sponsored by Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway
- 7:30 AMSpecialty Coffee Bar· Ballroom Foyer
Hosted by MARS 2026 Marquis Sponsor: AITX
- 8:00 AM
- 8:10 AM
MARS Summer 2026 Meeting Organization
Bryan Vaughan — VP, Sales, Marketing & Business Development · MARS Sergeant at Arms & Second VP, Modern Rail Capital
- 8:15 AM
Update from CSX
Maryclare Kenney — Senior Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, CSX Transportation
- 9:00 AM
Update from the STB
Patrick Fuchs — Chairman, Surface Transportation Board (STB)
- 9:30 AMMorning Coffee & Networking Break
Sponsored by American Truck & Rail Audits, Inc.
- 10:00 AM
The US Energy Landscape
Taylor Robinson — Managing Director — Energy and Investment Strategy, PLG Consulting
- 10:45 AM
Update from Norfolk Southern
Stefan Loeb — VP, Business Development — First & Final Mile Markets, Norfolk Southern Corporation
- 11:30 AMMARS Announcements· Ballroom
- • Golf Outing Results & Thanks — Tom Surma, Ingredion
- • Professional Development & Service Committee — Mike Richardson, Kemira
- • Scholarship Committee — Jordan Goerger, Ardent Mills
- 12:00 PM
MARS Luncheon & Keynote Speaker
David Fink — Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration
Sponsored by Harris Technology Services
Summary postedRead summary → - 1:30 PM
Industry Update — Trends & Forecasts
Jon Starks — Chief Executive Officer & Chief Intelligence Officer, FTR Transportation Intelligence
- 2:15 PM
Fact or Freight? A Reality Check for Rail Shippers
Harris Ligon — Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Telegraph
Future MARS Meetings
- MARS 2027 Winter Meeting — January 12–14, 2027 · Schaumburg, IL
- MARS 2027 Summer Meeting — July 12–13, 2027 · Lake Geneva, WI