Rising Stars 2026: David Miller 

David Miller, 37 
General director of locomotive maintenance and reliability 
BNSF Railway 

Nominator’s quote: “David Miller brings a highly effective blend of maturity, experience and intellectual capability that consistently elevates team performance and drives exceptional results for BNSF Railway, which has significantly impacted employees, customers and communities. He is a leader who enhances the contributions of those around him.” — Keith Solomons, BNSF 

Education: During high school, I participated in a dual enrollment program that allowed me to earn an associate degree in diesel technology. Following that, I completed a bachelor’s degree in business administration. I am currently pursuing my MBA to continue building the analytical and business capabilities needed to lead in a rapidly evolving industry. 
 
Job responsibilities: I lead teams responsible for service interruption response, maintenance planning, reliability initiatives and long-term fleet investment strategy. My work centers on improving locomotive performance, reducing downtime, supporting operations during disruptions and advancing AI-driven tools that help us operate more efficiently. 
 
Describe your career path. 
I began my career with BNSF as a management trainee at the locomotive maintenance and repair facility in Kansas City. From there, I relocated seven additional times across the BNSF network, taking on eight different roles. These roles ranged from serving as a mechanical foreman leading a small team of skilled craft employees, to a quality and efficiency manager applying Six Sigma principles to improve shop performance, and more recently a superintendent of mechanical operations overseeing locomotive and car operations with more than 800 employees. Each role expanded my understanding of how people, processes and assets come together to keep the railroad moving. 
 
What was your first job and what did you learn from it? 
Working on a ranch, where I built and repaired fence, baled hay, branded calves and fixed equipment. That experience taught me that I am naturally curious about how things work, competitive in a healthy way and committed to doing quality work. It also showed me that hard work and consistency eventually get noticed and rewarded, even in the most demanding environments. 
 
What sparked your interest in the rail industry? What told you it could be a place for you to thrive? 
I was introduced to the industry by a management trainee from another railroad who moved to my area. We became friends, and he opened my eyes to the scale, complexity and opportunity within rail. At the time, I was finishing my last semester of college, so I applied to BNSF and was fortunate to be selected. Once I entered the industry, I realized quickly that rail rewards people who enjoy solving complex problems, leading teams and improving systems. 
 
What’s one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned in your career? 
Clarity beats complexity. When you can distill a complicated process or technical issue into a clear message and a repeatable plan, people align faster and execute better. Clarity accelerates decision-making, strengthens accountability and creates momentum. In a system as interconnected as rail, clarity is not just a communication skill, it is a performance multiplier. 
 
What are your passions outside of work? 
I enjoy activities that keep me active, challenge me, and push me to grow both physically and mentally. Whether it is volleyball, snowboarding, backpacking or anything that requires skill and focus, I am drawn to pursuits that test my limits and give me space to reset. 
 
How do you plan to keep making an impact in your corner of the industry? 
I plan to continue developing leaders who can multiply our impact on locomotive reliability and operational efficiency. I am also committed to advancing AI-driven tools that streamline work, enhance decision-making and unlock new levels of productivity. My goal is to build systems and people that will continue delivering results long after any single project or initiative is complete. 
 
What’s the biggest challenge confronting the rail industry today? 
One is balancing an aging asset base with rapid technological advancement, evolving regulatory expectations, and rising demands for reliability and efficiency. The future will belong to railroads that can modernize intelligently by investing in the right technology, optimizing maintenance strategies and equipping their workforce to operate in a more data-driven, technology-enabled environment.