ith six years of hands-on experience and a desire for knowledge, Carman Oscar Garcia is thriving in the foreman-in-training (FIT) program, which he began in March.

“The Belt is the right fit for me; I’m learning something new every day,” said Garcia, who seeks to expand his skills, strengthen relationships and better understand operations.

Prior to joining the Belt, Garcia worked for an automotive parts manufacturer, but he noted railroading has long been on his vocational radar as a couple of his uncles worked as locomotive engineers for Norfolk Southern.

Garcia says he gravitated toward the Mechanical Department because he enjoys fixing things and seeing projects through to completion.

While the FIT program has pushed him outside of his comfort zone, Garcia says he views it as an important part of his professional growth. He believes that effective leadership requires staying organized, avoiding second-guessing and being willing to learn from mistakes.

Taking notes from various mentors within the department, Garcia said Foremen Jason Mayne and Lee Winfrey have shared their respective insights on work in the classification yard and on the RIP track. They’ve reviewed their problem-solving methods, demonstrated various repair techniques and discussed how to set each team up for success.

Garcia said the variety of work at the Belt keeps him engaged.

“There’s always a car to work on or a problem to solve,” he said.

He added that his co-workers have been supportive throughout his career.

“Everyone has helped me to get on the right track,” Garcia said.

Assistant Superintendent Mechanical-Car Bob Perham is excited for Garcia’s future.

“Oscar has always demonstrated a great work ethic and attention to detail,” he said. “He will be an asset to the supervisory roster, and we look forward to watching him grow into the role.”