Situated in Pueblo, Colorado, the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) spans 52 square miles of land leased from the State of Colorado and is owned by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Since its establishment as the High-Speed Ground Test Center in 1971, the TTC has been a crucial hub for ongoing research, development, and testing of rail infrastructure and equipment.
In October 2022, ENSCO, Inc. assumed operations and maintenance of the TTC through a significant $571 million USD contract awarded by the FRA. This operational shift is part of the FRA’s vision to transform the TTC into a leading center for rail and ground transportation innovation. As the designated operator, ENSCO actively manages and maintains the facility on behalf of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The objective is to create a dynamic, forward-looking environment that fosters innovation, encourages positive change, and generates opportunities.
With the transition of DOT operations, maintenance, and research programs to ENSCO completed in October 2022, the TTC is well-positioned to support the DOT’s goals and collaborate with other government and commercial entities. This broader mission includes advancing transportation safety, security, and fostering innovation in the field.
ENSCO is bolstered by a consortium of premier surface transportation research, training, technology, and facilities management organizations dedicated to advancing next generation technology that underpins and elevates transportation infastructure.
ENSCO, Inc.
Ambipar Response USA
Atkins
GTI Energy
Sharma and Associates, Inc.
ESI
University of South Florida Center for Urban Transportation Research
This team receives additional reinforcement from the Center for Surface Transportation Testing and Academic Research (C-STTAR) consortium. Established by ENSCO and spearheaded by CUTR expertise in research focus areas across all modes of surface transportation, including intermodal transportation, thereby fortifying TTC’s growth initiatives.
University of South Florida Center for Urban Transportation Research
Colorado State University - Pueblo
Connected and Autonomous Networked-Vehicles for Active Safety (CANVAS), Michigan State University
Michigan Tech Transportation Institute, Michigan Technological University
Midwest Roadside Safety Facility, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
University of Hawai’i
Mineta Transportation Institute, San Jose State University
Oregon State University
Gerhard “Gery” Williams is Executive Vice President, Service Delivery & Operations, serving in this role since July 2022. Gery leads an organization focused primarily on safely and reliably delivering Amtrak services to customers, operating and maintaining the company’s core railroad assets – including infrastructure and rail car and locomotive fleets – and driving process improvement and efficiencies across the Amtrak network.
Service Delivery & Operations (SD&O) consists of the Transportation, Mechanical, Infrastructure Maintenance & Construction Services (IMCS), Customer Service Stations, Onboard Services and Food & Beverage, California Operations, Operations Integration and Network Support functions.
Gery had served as Senior Vice President, SD&O, since January 2022 and was responsible for the newly created IMCS group, which encompasses engineering production and maintenance functions. He also led day-to-day core service delivery across the SD&O organization, driving continuous improvement to safety, customer service and productivity.
Prior to joining Amtrak in June 2017 as Vice President and Chief Engineer, he had spent almost three decades at CSX Transportation. Gery held a wide range of senior leadership roles, including Vice President, Mechanical Operations; Chief Mechanical Officer – Locomotives; AVP Network Operations – Locomotive Management; and Division Manager. In his last position at CSX as VP, Mechanical Operations, he reported to the Chief Operating Officer and directed a team of 3,800 employees responsible for the maintenance and repair of a combined fleet of 70,000 locomotives and rail cars. Early in his profession, Gery held various positions including trainmaster, manager of safety and terminal manager.
Across his long railroad career, Gery has consistently demonstrated collaborative and data-driven leadership and an ability to manage complex transportation, mechanical and engineering challenges successfully, with safety and efficiency.
Gery graduated from Drexel University with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Engineering. He also holds a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing from the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University.
Executive Vice President,
Service Delivery & Operations