2026 Champions of Commuter Rail
The Commuter Rail Coalition’s Champions of Commuter Rail Awards recognize individuals who have impacted the industry through their innovative thinking, indefatigable spirit, and inspirational leadership.
The awards were shaped by the legacy of Robert Doty whose work transformed railroads around the world, including in Taipei, Korea, and the UK. In the US, Doty achieved the first FRA waiver to operate UIC equipment in mixed traffic, he was the first national award winner of the FRA’s recognition for “Success in Enhancing Ridership,” and he implemented Caltrain “Baby Bullet” express service.
But Bob Doty was also intentional in how he built teams. The people he hired were as diverse as the skills necessary to deliver a complex project. And, critically, he nurtured individual strengths and empowered the next generation of rail leaders in the US. Bob Doty was an unsung hero of the rail industry and passed away in 2022 without appreciating the regard with which he is held. The first Doty Award was presented to him posthumously, received by his widow and sons.
This year’s Award Winner Biographies:
Champion of Commuter Rail is The Honorable Ronald L. Batory, Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration (2018-2021)
Ronald L. Batory is an American railroad industry executive who served as the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration from 2018 to 2021. Batory has over 45 years of leadership experience in the railroad industry, including serving as president and chief operating officer of Consolidated Rail Corporation and as president of the Belt Railway of Chicago. He currently serves on the board of directors of Amtrak, is the Edward A. Burkhardt Chair in Railway Management and Executive Director of the Center for Railway Research and Education at Michigan State University's Eli Broad College of Business.
The 2026 “DOTY” Award is presented to Allison Ishihara Fultz. Partner, Kaplan Kirsch; former Chief Counsel, Federal Railroad Administration (2021-2025)
Allison Ishihara Fultz brings a wealth of expertise in transactional and regulatory matters related to transportation infrastructure. Her diverse client portfolio includes public transportation agencies, state and local governments, private entities, and safety oversight organizations. Allison’s practice encompasses a wide array of issues, such as the acquisition and abandonment of railroad rights-of-way, agreements for shared use of freight and passenger rail corridors, and the conversion of rail corridors into recreational trails under the rails-to-trails program. Before rejoining the firm, Allison served as Chief Counsel of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), where she was the agency’s top legal officer. In this role, she provided strategic counsel on complex regulatory, legislative, and policy matters affecting the nation’s rail system to FRA and US Department of Transportation leadership. Leading FRA’s team of legal professionals, she helped guide FRA’s implementation of the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and ensured compliance with federal laws while advancing the agency’s mission to promote safety, efficiency, and sustainability in rail transportation.
2026 Legislative Champion is Colorado Governor Jared Polis.
Governor Jared Polis is an entrepreneur, education leader, and public servant. After launching several successful companies, including one out of his college dorm room, Polis committed himself to making sure other Coloradans had the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Polis founded schools for at-risk students and new immigrants and started nonprofits to help veterans and entrepreneurs.
Prior to serving as Governor, Polis served on the State Board of Education where he worked to raise pay for teachers and reduce class size for students, and represented Colorado's 2nd Congressional district, where he was rated the most effective member of the Colorado delegation.
As Governor, Polis has focused on saving Coloradans money, keeping our economy strong, and preserving our Colorado way of life. Polis delivered universal free full-day kindergarten, signed a number of bills to save families money on health care, and made significant progress towards the goal of 100% renewable energy by 2040, all while cutting taxes for small businesses and investing in affordable housing and transportation. His efforts to expand health care access to medically underserved communities and to ensure that equity and justice remain central to building a Colorado for All have produced impactful legislation and made progress toward his administration’s bold vision.
2026 Legislative Champion is Representative Julie McCluskie.
Speaker, Colorado House of
Representatives
Representative Julie McCluskie is the first female from the Western Slope to serve as Speaker of the House and represents House District 13 which includes Chaffee, Grand, Jackson, Lake, Park, and Summit counties of Colorado.
Over her years as a State Representative, McCluskie has served on the Rural Affairs and Agriculture, Education, Appropriations, Wildfire Matters, Early Childhood and School Readiness Commission, and Water Resources and Agricultural Review committees, and as Chair of the Legislative Interim Committee on School Finance. Notably, she was appointed to the Joint Budget Committee in January 2020 and was appointed Chair of the JBC in November 2021. She was elected Speaker of the House for both the 74th and 75th General Assemblies.
Speaker McCluskie’s legislative achievements include student success and workforce revitalization, healthcare affordability and accessibility, water and wildlife conservation, wildfire mitigation, and affordable housing initiatives. Additionally, she passed the first significant rewrite of the Colorado School Finance Act in 30 years, making it more equitable and increasing funding for every student in the state. Speaker McCluskie is dedicated to preserving the Colorado Way of Life for those living from the the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope and everywhere in between.