Railroad Safety and Operational Consulting Services

Deborah Wojnicz Bio

Deborah Wojnicz is a dedicated executive, with professional expertise in both railroad and airport Safety and Security Management. Deborah began her career with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in 1990. She Interned five years with the FRA in Sacramento and Vancouver, WA., gaining experience through all railroad disciplines (Mechanical, Engineering, Signal & Train Control, Hazardous Materials and Operating Practices), then was promoted to an Operating Practices inspector within FRA's Division 8 (Vancouver, WA), representing FRA in the Northwest including the states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota and North Dakota. While with Region 9, Deborah participated in various safety assessments as well as conducting routine regulatory inspection activities. While serving within Region 8, Deborah was chosen as the FRA Operating Practices representative to Transport Canada, partnering to review all cross border rules for operations. All findings were presented to the two nations and recommendations for correctional rules were implemented for cross border continuity of operations. Deborah went on to author the Internship Training Guidelines and Goals for the FRA Operating Practices Interns. Deborah also represented FRA while participating in the NASA Human Factors Fatigue and Sleep Studies, and was subsequently selected to conduct training within the railroad industry on the most effective fatigue management practices determined by the study. Deborah served on the FRA National Customer Service training team, and was appointed as a representative for the FRA Rail Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) for Region 8. FRA promoted Deborah to the position of Region 8 Grade Crossing Manager in 2006, where her excellent interpersonal skills facilitated many safety campaigns to the public and private industry, ultimately reducing trespasser and highway-grade crossing incidents by 14% in Region 8. Deborah represented the FRA in numerous Public Hearings during the Quite Zone and Train Horn Rulemaking.

In 2006, Deborah left FRA to accept a promotion as the NW Regional Director of TSA Homeland Security for Surface Transportation, overseeing TSA jurisdiction within the western states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Colorado and Nevada. Deborah partnered with other regulatory and industry leaders to develop and implement the TSA security assessment offered to Public Transit agencies. Her "people skills" empowered her effectiveness working with the public transit entities, resulting in "buy-in" from the regulatory carriers who welcomed the assessments before they were required. From 2008-2010, Deborah demonstrated her versatility and adaptability serving as the Acting Federal Security Director and Deputy Director for the SEATAC international airport. Deborah focused on improving teamwork and moral, attending employee town hall meetings and listening to the concerns brought to her by labor and rank-and-file employees. During her tenure, Deborah implemented new training and "buy in" from both aviation and surface employees numbering over 1000, and raised employee work satisfaction from 12% to 41% during a six month period.

Deborah now consults with GE-Safety Associates, utilizing her extensive experience with safety and security in surface transportation. Deborah maintains a strong network allowing her to deliver exemplary performance even in the most demanding, controversial and complex assignments.