Rising Stars 2025: Drew Mayer

Drew Mayer, 39
Assistant VP, merchandise terminal execution
BNSF Railway Co.

Nominator’s quote: “Drew plays a key role in driving BNSF’s merchandise performance. He serves as the terminal authority on process adherence, resource allocation and continuous improvement, as well as an advocate for executing merchandise shipments that meet customer expectations, creates customer value and minimizes BNSF expense.” — Matt Garland, BNSF Railway Co.

Education: Bachelor of Science in law and policy, Texas Christian University (TCU); commissioned as second lieutenant in U.S. Army through TCU Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps; earned MBA from TCU while interning at BNSF; completed a master's degree in communication management, University of Southern California.

Job responsibilities: Ensure adherence to processes, allocating resources effectively and driving continuous improvement within merchandise terminals. Serve as an advocate for executing merchandise shipments to ensure they meet customer expectations.

Briefly describe your career path.
Before joining BNSF, I served in the U.S. Army with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the 4th Infantry Division stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado. My journey at BNSF began in 2015 as a trainmaster in Gillette, Wyoming, and I later transitioned to roles in industrial products starting in 2017, where I worked as both manager of customer integration and manager of sales.

In 2020, I returned to the transportation team and have since taken on various leadership positions of increasing responsibility. These roles have included terminal manager, assistant superintendent, terminal superintendent II, superintendent corridor operations, network operations center general director of transportation for the north region, and my current role as AVP merchandise terminal execution.

What sparked your interest in the rail industry?
Through my military background and graduate school experience, my passion for logistics and transportation was ignited. During my MBA studies, where I delved into topics such as global sourcing, logistics and operations management, I began to appreciate the pivotal role that railroads play in the United States and global supply chain.

Over time, I have come to view railroading as a calling, akin to the sense of duty I felt serving in the military. I consider both military service and railroading as deeply patriotic professions in our nation. I feel privileged to continue serving our customers and the United States of America through my work in the rail industry every day.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
My first job was as a busboy at Disneyland's Club 33 restaurant. This formative experience taught me valuable lessons in task prioritization, adaptability in dynamic environments, and the significance of operational processes.

What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
Cooking is a hobby and passion of mine that I inherited from my parents, who are great cooks themselves. Whether I'm experimenting in the kitchen or firing up the barbeque, I find joy in recreating family recipes and trying out new dishes.

This culinary pursuit not only allows me to carry on family traditions but also serves as a great stress-reliever. There's something therapeutic about immersing myself in the art of cooking, accompanied by the nostalgic tunes of 90's country music, while bonding with my loved ones in the kitchen or out on the patio.

What’s one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned so far in your career?
Building strong relationships is at the core of success, especially in areas such as customer service, employee engagement and operations management. Fostering meaningful connections and leaving a positive impact on individuals, both in personal and professional spheres, is key.

It's not always about having all the answers or solving every problem single-handedly; rather, it's about cultivating a network of relationships that can provide solutions and expertise when needed. Being present to support others and reciprocate the same level of dedication when they reach out is fundamental in nurturing valuable connections.

How do you stay resilient and motivated when things get tough at work, in the industry or in life?
I rely heavily on two key pillars: my mentors at BNSF, who have become close friends and trusted advisers, and my family. When faced with difficulties at work or in the operation, my driving force is the desire to provide support and guidance to help my team, our employees and our customers. This shared commitment motivates me to be actively involved alongside my team, collaborating to ensure the safe and efficient movement of our customers' freight.

My wife, Carolyn, along with our sons Carson and Wyatt, are my source of strength when navigating life's obstacles. Being a role model for my sons, embodying the values of hard work and dedication that I wish to instill in them serves as my primary source of motivation.

If you could share a meal with anyone alive in the world today, who would it be and why?
It would be President Donald Trump. I would be interested in discussing his experiences and perspective on leadership, decision-making and business negotiations. I would also discuss his approach to policy-making, communication strategies and how he views the role of the presidency in shaping domestic and international supply chains.

In your view, what is the biggest challenge facing the rail industry today?
The rail industry must prioritize maintaining flexibility to effectively meet customers' evolving needs and deliver service that supports their prosperity during both stable and volatile economic climates.

A standout aspect of my tenure at BNSF that I take pride in is our organization's adeptness at evolving and adjusting over our history to stay competitive and operationally efficient amidst shifting economic and technological landscapes.