G&W's Pawlanta: Flexibility is key to success in rail 

By Julie Sneider 

Remaining flexible has been Sarah Pawlanta’s M.O. for most of her adult life, starting in college when she realized becoming a high school math teacher wouldn’t cut it in the “Great Recession” economy. 

Pawlanta, 40, grew up in Vassar, Michigan, a small rural community located about an hour-and-a-half north of Detroit. By the time she was in the latter part of her studies at Saginaw Valley State University, Michigan was hemorrhaging jobs as the auto manufacturing industry struggled, then nearly collapsed during the recession. 

“Folks were leaving Michigan and there were not a lot of teaching jobs, so I pivoted to something a little more flexible,” she says. 

After switching her major to business management, she found a credit and collections job at a RailAmerica Inc. office in Vassar that would help pay the tuition and provide work experience while still in college. 

“I didn’t even know there was a railroad office there,” she says. “Did I know anything about railroading? No, I didn’t. But it has worked out.” 

That was in 2008. RailAmerica was one of the larger short line and regional railroad operating companies in North America. In January 2013, Genesee & Wyoming Inc. acquired RailAmerica for $1.4 billion to create what is now the world’s largest short line and regional operator. 

After Pawlanta graduated from Saginaw Valley State, she decided to stick with railroading; landing that rail job when she did was like winning the lottery, she says. 

“I will be honest, it was a very good job for the area where I lived. It offered great benefits, good hours and lots of opportunities,” she says. “There was a vast amount of things to learn and that’s what has kept me interested in railroading for so long.” 

When RailAmerica moved the credit and collections function to a different location, Pawlanta was offered a spot in the customer service group. Pivoting again, she took it. Six months later, she was offered the role of manager of customer service, her first position that involved managing a team. 

From there, Pawlanta joined the sales team as a manager, then moved up to a sales director role. Now in her 18th year with the company — RailAmerica and G&W combined — she serves as assistant vice president of sales and marketing. In March, Pawlanta was featured in Progressive Railroading as one of 55 Women of Influence in Rail honorees for 2026.

Meanwhile, Pawlanta earlier this year transitioned from overseeing marketing and sales in G&W’s Upper Midwest division — Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana — to being responsible for sales and marketing in the Ohio Valley division. Her three-member team’s responsibilities cover customer and Class I relationships, and new business development. A variety of commodities fall under the team’s purview, including big metals, agriculture, chemicals and plastics. 

Never bored, always busy  

Neverending options for learning also have kept Pawlanta from looking for career growth outside the rail realm. 

“My entire career has never been stagnant; there always has been something moving, a component of a new challenge,” she says. 

Pawlanta espouses a leadership style rooted in authenticity. She invites junior team members to be part of the conversation about goals and strategies in their division’s territory. 

“If I know someone is a subject matter expert in something, I give them the opportunity to demonstrate that in front of an audience beyond myself,” she says. “I want people to feel that they can trust me, and trust that when I say I will do something, I will do it to the best of my ability.” 

She advises younger rail professionals that adopting the soft skill of flexibility is vital to career satisfaction and growth.  

“I think it’s important to help folks see what their career path could look like,” she says. “I’m not sure they always understand what that progression or trajectory could be.”  

Although rail career advancement typically involves relocation, Pawlanta notes that she’s been able to move up without moving far from her hometown. As a result, she and her family — husband Keith, who works in agriculture, and their daughters ages 9 and 11 — have been able to live near her parents, who help manage the homefront while she’s on the road for work. 

“My kids are used to me being away for work; it’s what they’ve known their whole lives,” she says. “I do make it a priority to be involved in the things they have going on. I try to be very present — and I hope that I am providing a good example to them that if you work hard and show up you can be successful.” 

Living and raising children in Michigan also allows the family to take advantage of the state’s scenic beauty and myriad activities for outdoor enthusiasts. In summer, the family especially enjoys loading up their camper trailer for weekends in the woods. Early this summer, however, the family’s love of travel and the outdoors took them all the way to Alaska for a weeklong cruise. 

“I’m not sure that we’re cruise people, but Alaska was everything that people say it is. They’re not exaggerating; it’s great,” Pawlanta says. 

The pre-conceived road not taken 

As for her career path, Pawlanta looks to the future with an open mind. 

“When I started in rail, I had no preconceived notions about what this career would turn into,” she says. “I have been successful because I’ve been flexible. I don’t see that changing for me. I’m open to whatever comes my way.” 

And as an influential leader in rail, Pawlanta believes flexibility is critical to ensuring G&W railroads and their customers weather an ever-evolving marketplace. 

“Our focus is to make sure we’re taking care of the business needs of the customers we currently serve, trying to find new solutions and opportunities for them to face whatever challenges they may be facing,” she says. “And if a new industry wants to come into the area, we’re making sure we’re primed and ready to identify how they would be rail-served.”

Julie Sneider, who retired April 1 as senior editor of Progressive Railroading, is a Wisconsin-based freelance writer.