Looking at the current state of NRC: RT & S interviewed NRC Chairman Rick Ebersold and President Ray Chambers about events in 2004-05 and what they see in the future for the association

Railway Track and Structures, May, 2005

RT & S: Do you have any closing thoughts?

Ebersold: As I approach the end of my second year as chairman, I have truly begun to appreciate the unique organization that is the NRC. It was organized in the 1970s as a vehicle for member companies to negotiate contracts with the signatory unions. Later, we opened membership to all railroad contractors--both union and non-union.

During the 1980s, we expanded our mission to communication, safety oversight and risk management. We created a forum where our members could get to know each other, exchange ideas and resolve common problems.

In the 1990s, we moved our headquarters from Minneapolis to Washington, D. C., and retained the government affairs firm of Chambers, Conlon and Hartwell, Inc., to manage the organization. We launched a new aggressive program of regulatory and legislative advocacy.

Today, the NRC represents more than 150 rail contractors, engineering firms, suppliers and professional associate firms. Between our small and large companies, our combined annual revenues are in the billions and growing. Our past has been very successful and the future looks even better.

The first leader of the NRC was Bud McGrath from McGrath Construction Corp of Tulsa, Okla. I will be proud to pass the NRC chairmanship over to his son, Jon McGrath, at the 2006 Conference and Exhibit in Palm Springs next January.