The NEARS Transportation Person of the Year award is a special recognition given to an individual in the transportation industry who has made a significant positive impact on the rail industry, especially in the Northeast Region of North America, which NEARS represents. The criteria for a Nominee is the following:

1.     The Nominee must be nominated by a member of the NEARS organization during the year of the nomination

2.     The Nominee should have been involved with and conducted at least some business in the region of North America that NEARS represents during the nominating year

3.     The Nominee should have a responsible position in the transportation industry, and must be of good character

4.     Special consideration by the Awards committee can be made for members who may have recently retired, passed away, or have very recently left the transportation industry

One award will be given every year, starting in 2014. The winner will receive a special trophy. The winner will also receive Conference Registration and 3 nights' hotel accommodations for the recipient and up to 2 members of their immediate family at the NEARS conference, where they will receive their award. The recipients of the awards will have their names and pictures published on the NEARS website, as well as in other NEARS media to recognize and celebrate their achievement.

The NEARS Board of Directors will take nominees up to a designated date before the NEARS Spring Board of Directors Meeting, which follows the NEARS Spring Conference. The Awards Committee will read the nominations and choose a recipient based on outstanding positive impact and merit. The award will be given at the Fall Conference of the nominating year. Nominations are good for only one year. If no nominations are received, no award will be given out for that year. The Awards Committee can also choose not to have an award recipient for any given year, regardless of the nominations received.