BNSF Honors Bakersfield, Calif., Employee Gary Sage as Engineering Safety Employee of the Year

Date
Apr 14, 2015

FORT WORTH, TEXAS – BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) has named Gary Sage, track supervisor, Engineering Safety Employee of the Year. Sage was recognized at BNSF’s annual Employees of the Year ceremony held last night in Fort Worth, Texas.

“I’m incredibly pleased to recognize Gary Sage as a Safety Employee of the Year,” said Carl Ice, BNSF president and chief executive officer. “His long-standing commitment to BNSF and our safety efforts make him an exemplary employee.”

Sage, a BNSF employee of nearly 20 years, is responsible for leading a track section crew in Bakersfield, Calif. He credits much of his success to those who mentored him early in his career, and now serves as a mentor to others with safety at the heart of his message.

"The decisions we make don’t just affect us, but our families, our coworkers and their families, and those in the community."

“No matter which department you work in, we’re all trying to do the same thing: go back to the people waiting for us at home,” Sage said. “The decisions we make don’t just affect us, but our families, our coworkers and their families, and those in the community. If you think about them, you’re not going to sacrifice safety at work – and you’re not going to turn it off when you go home either.”
 
The BNSF Employees of the Year event recognizes employees who embody the company’s vision and values. Their achievements positively impact BNSF customers, fellow employees, owners and the communities served by BNSF. In addition, BNSF honors five Safety Employees of the Year, representing Telecommunications, Intermodal Business Unit Operations and each of its major operations departments. These honorees are recognized for their efforts to improve safety within the industry and their communities.

In 2014, BNSF continued to reinforce its commitment to safety with a best-ever year in employee safety. BNSF’s continued safety improvements – assisted by the efforts of the Safety Employees of the Year – move it closer to achieving the company’s vision of an injury- and incident-free workplace.

For a complete list of honorees, along with photos and a video of the Safety Employees of the Year, please visit www.bnsf.com/news-media/.

About BNSF
BNSF Railway is one of North America’s leading freight transportation companies operating on 32,500 route miles of track in 28 states, and also operates in three Canadian provinces. BNSF is one of the top transporters of consumer goods, grain and agricultural products, low-sulfur coal, and industrial goods such as petroleum, chemicals, housing materials, food and beverages. BNSF’s shipments help feed, clothe, supply, and power American homes and businesses every day. BNSF and its employees have developed one of the most technologically advanced, and efficient railroads in the industry. We work continuously to improve the value of the safety, service, energy, and environmental benefits we provide to our customers and the communities we serve. You can learn more about BNSF at www.BNSF.com.