RJ Gibson is the Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy for the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry where he oversees the political and policy work of the Chamber. He has extensive political and public policy experience, including four years on former U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander’s legislative team in Washington. During his time in DC, he advised the Senator on a range of issues including energy, environment, trade, and foreign policy.
Julie Kruse-John is the Vice President of Operations and Public Affairs at the Wake Forest Area Chamber, where she leads the charge on government affairs, economic development, and internal operations. With a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration and over a decade of nonprofit leadership under her belt, she knows how to navigate complex systems and turn big ideas into real results.
Julie plays a key role in shaping the Chamber’s advocacy efforts, building relationships with local and state officials, and driving initiatives that support business growth across Wake Forest. She’s also deeply involved in regional economic development, working to connect businesses with resources, capital, and opportunities to thrive.
Outside the Chamber, Julie owns the Wake Forest FUNGO, the town’s collegiate summer baseball team. Her experience as a business owner gives her firsthand insight into the needs of entrepreneurs and small business owners.
When she’s not building partnerships or advocating for the business community, she’s probably outdoors with her husband and five kids—or catching a game at the ballpark.
Jeff Rent is the president and CEO of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership, and former senior vice president of economic development for the Greater Jackson Alliance.
Jeff previously worked as the public relations manager of Mississippi Development Authority where he managed communications for the state’s lead economic and community development agency.
Before joining MDA, Jeff was the director of external affairs for Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and he spent 14 years as a broadcast meteorologist.
Jeff received his bachelor’s degree in history and communications from Ball State University and he also holds a certificate of broadcast meteorology from Mississippi State University.
Mark Denzler is President & Chief Executive Officer of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA), a statewide advocacy organization representing nearly 4,000 member companies and facilities. Denzler was named to his current post in January 2019 after serving a dozen years as Vice President & COO. Under his leadership, both the IMA and Denzler have won numerous awards recognizing their advocacy and effectiveness.
Prior to the IMA, Denzler served in various posts including overseeing Illinois government affairs for State Farm Insurance, a Fortune 50 company headquartered in Bloomington. He served as director of government affairs for the IMA and was a legislative analyst in the General Assembly focusing on taxes, education and transportation. Denzler acted as caucus liaison to Governor Edgar’s Ikenberry Commission on School Funding.
Denzler was appointed by Governors Pat Quinn, Bruce Rauner, and JB Pritzker to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Advisory Board. He is a gubernatorial appointee to the Illinois Department of Security Advisory Board and an inaugural appointee to former Secretary of State Jesse White’s Ethics Board.
He is Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois is currently serving on the Board of Trustees for Illinois Wesleyan University. Mark previously sat on the Board of Directors for the Midwest affiliate of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Lincoln Public Library, President of the Lincoln Library Foundation, and is on the National Public Affairs Steering Committee for the National Association of Manufacturers. Denzler serves on the Executive Committee of the Council of State Manufacturing Associations. He was a 2015 selection as an Edgar Fellow at the University of Illinois and a graduate of the inaugural class (2015) of the Crain’s Chicago Business Leadership Academy. In 2018, Denzler was inducted into the Gove Hall of Fame at the University of Illinois-Springfield.
“The math on heavier trucks simply doesn’t add up — and our communities are the ones left footing the bill.”
Tom Winker is the Chairperson for the Town of Belgium, first elected in 2009. He has been on the Board for the Wisconsin Town’s Association since 2017 and is currently serving as President. He is involved with the East Wisconsin Counties Rail Commission Board, serving as Chairman for the last 10 years. Tom served in the U.S. Navy, ran a successful family dairy farm, served on several AG Service Co-op Boards and the Ozaukee County Board, was a volunteer fire fighter and currently owns a trucking business hauling grain in southeast Wisconsin.
“The rail lines that extend from Wilmington down through the Delmarva Peninsula help power the Delaware economy. Rail-served businesses, like those in our thriving poultry industry, depend on efficient lines to keep them connected and competitive.”
John Shwed is serving in his 19th year as the Mayor of the Town of Laurel, Delaware. He is a retired Technical Group Manager with 27.5 years of service at DuPont’s Seaford, Delaware Nylon Plant and the startup CEO of the Delaware Manufacturing Alliance, a non-profit created to provide business and technical assistance to Delaware’s small and medium sized manufacturers during the Carper Administration. He served 15 years on the Laurel, Delaware Board of Education and is a past Lions International District Governor for the State of Delaware.
Mayor Shwed has a B.S. in Physics from the University of Scranton. He served as an Air Defense Artillery Officer in the U.S Army Reserve and is a longtime advocate for our Nation’s railroads.
“Businesses large and small in the Southern Tier utilize efficient freight rail connections to reach markets across the U.S. and beyond. As we continue to grow our local economy, I am confident freight rail will be a strong partner—investing in the infrastructure that helps moves us.”
Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2004. She serves as Chair of the Agriculture Committee and is a member of the Transportation Committee. Prior to her election to the Assembly she served in several capacities, including as a member of the Broome County Legislature, a community mental health educator, and a faculty member at Binghamton University.
Originally from Staten Island, Lupardo graduated from Wagner College. She moved to the Southern Tier region in 1976 to attend graduate school and State University of New York at Binghamton earning a master’s degree.
“A high-functioning freight rail system helps drive the Minnesota economy by connecting business and producers, like those in our agricultural, industrial, forestry and mining sectors. Locally you can experience the impact of trains in decreased congestion and fewer emissions from trucking.”
Commissioner Schulte has served on the Anoka County Board of Commissioners since 2013. He is the current Board Chair, Chairman of the Transportation Committee and Vice Chairman of the Regional Railroad Authority. He is a past president of the Association of Minnesota Counties and served on the Coon Rapids City Council for 12 years as mayor pro tem and councilman at large. Commissioner Schulte owns and operates Hi Ten Service, a successful second generation 63-year-old family run “old fashioned service station.”
“Our railroad connections are crucial to Ascension Parish. Not only do they support our rail-served industries and local chemical plants and refining operations, they support passenger rail access—taking trucks off roadways and providing safe and efficient transportation options for the Baton Rouge-New Orleans Corridor.”
Kathy Edmonston took her seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives representing District 88 on January 13, 2020. She serves on the Transportation, Highways and Public Works committee, among several others. Prior to running for the Louisiana House, she served on the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education from 2016 to 2020. Edmonston is a longtime parent facilitator for the Ascension Parish school system. She holds a B.A. in English from Louisiana State University.
“Rail connections are an economic catalyst for Weld County and across the state. When private railroads invest into the infrastructure that moves Colorado industries, that benefits all of us.”
Steve Moreno is a 30+ year Weld County resident, who has worked for Weld County since 1985. Moreno was elected as an at-large commissioner in 2014 and re-elected in 2018. Moreno currently acts as the Chair of the Board of Commissioners, and serves on the Upstate Colorado Economic Development Board, Greeley Downtown Development Board, Small Business Development Center Board, Highway 85 Coalition, Highway 34 Coalition, I-25 Coalition, Greeley-Weld County Airport Authority Board and the United Way of Weld County Board of Directors.
Additionally, Moreno sits on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Elected Officials (Election Center). Before being elected as a commissioner, Moreno was sworn in as the 28th Weld County Clerk and Recorder, in which he served three terms from 2003-2014. He also served as Chief Deputy and Deputy Clerk for the Weld County Clerk and Recorder’s Office. Before coming to Weld County, Commissioner Moreno served as Deputy Clerk for Otero County, Colorado.
Commissioner Moreno attended Otero Junior College and the University of Southern Colorado and is a member of the St. Peters Catholic Church. He has been married to his wife Joyce for 38 years, and together they have two children.
