Presenter Biographies

Michael Atzert is a Senior Engineer with Design Nine, Inc. located in St. Louis, MO where he manages railroad related projects for Industries and Regional and Shortline Railroads for over 15 years. He specializes in working with industries and the railroads that serve those industries to maximize a track layout on any given parcel to achieve the maximum rail car handling capacity that allows for a rail operation that is both efficient, economical and acceptably by the serving railroad. His projects and responsibilities range from leading crews performing location surveys and construction staking to performing project management for railroad related projects across the continental U.S.

Darren Eyre is a Vice President with CRS Engineers, a 114-year old railroad and civil engineering consulting firm serving clients throughout the country.  He has 20 years of experience in the fields of engineering and surveying, with an emphasis in railroad infrastructure.  He has played a pivotal role in the design and construction of main lines, branch lines, yards, industry spurs, railroad crossings, and terminals.  This rail infrastructure was designed for the purpose of developing rail served industrial parks, transload facilities, coal terminals, oil refineries, frac-sand facilities, automotive and intermodal yards, grain terminals, ethanol plants, and other projects vital for the growth and sustainability of our economy.