RTA will recognize three longtime industry veterans during the 2026 RTA Annual Conference, Oct. 19-22 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., honoring careers that collectively represent decades of service to the railroad, wood tie, and forest products industries.

Brent Starr, UP: Branding Hammer Award

Nearly three decades after beginning his Union Pacific (UP) career as a track laborer in 1997, Brent Starr has worked across both engineering and transportation in positions ranging from scheduling and dispatching to senior leadership. Today, he serves as general director of material delivery for planning and scheduling and centralized equipment.

His broad experience has also shaped his work with RTA, AREMA, and railroad suppliers, particularly his focus on communication, innovation, and strengthening relationships across the industry.

“I’ve been fortunate to spend most of my career in network roles, which has given me the chance to understand the railroad as a whole,” Starr said. “Just as important, it has allowed me to build a network of people, colleagues and peers. You learn pretty quickly that you don’t do any of this on your own.”

Mike Noland, Noland Lumber: Silver Saw Award

For Mike Noland, the hardwood industry has been a lifelong pursuit. A second-generation sawmill owner, Noland grew up around the family business founded by his father in 1972. After completing his education and attending the National Hardwood Lumber Association Lumber Inspector Training School, he went to work at the mill.

Over the years, Noland worked throughout the operation, from grading lumber and sawing to managing the busines, before assuming full ownership of Noland Lumber in 2013. Today, the Gordo, Ala., company produces switch ties, industrial products and approximately 6 to 7 million board feet of hardwood lumber annually.

Receiving the Silver Saw Award has given Noland an opportunity to reflect on a lifetime spent in the business.

“I’m humbled and proud to see other people have noticed what I’ve done,” Noland said. “I’ve been busy building this business my whole life. I don’t see it as a big achievement—just making a living and living life.”

Bill Behan, Koppers Inc., Broad Axe Award

Bill Behan’s connection to the forest products industry stretches back four generations, with his great-grandfather founding Hill-Behan Lumber Company in 1912. His own career has touched nearly every aspect of the solid wood business, including timber procurement, manufacturing, operations, sales and marketing.

Behan entered the railroad tie segment in 2015 when he joined Gross & Janes, later helping position the company for its acquisition by Koppers Inc. in 2022. He now serves as Koppers vice president of business development and special projects and previously served as RTA President from 2018-2020.

For Behan, receiving the Broad Axe Award is particularly meaningful because the recognition comes from his peers in the hardwood and wood tie industries.

“I’m very flattered by receiving the award,” Behan said. “I spent more years in the softwood industry than the hardwood industry, so I’m very flattered that people on the hardwood side have recognized a lifelong commitment I have to the forest products industry. It’s very meaningful.”

RTA looks forward to recognizing Starr, Noland and Behan and celebrating their contributions to the industry with RTA members in Fort Lauderdale.