Senior Director of Information Technology Kelly Kinggo savors being able to return to the railroad industry.

“I enjoy the camaraderie and teamwork involved to make things function,” she said. “Railroads have a lot of tradition and history and a lot of good, honest, hardworking people who have worked for their employer a long time. I’m excited for this opportunity and to meet everyone.”

While Kinggo most recently worked for a hardware and software solutions firm, the Birmingham, Michigan, native started her professional life with Kansas City Southern in Kansas City, Missouri. As positive train control (PTC) made its way to the forefront of the railroad industry, Kinggo began her foray into IT as she helped implement the technology. Later, she worked for Canadian National in nearby Homewood, Illinois. 

The camaraderie she enjoys with the railroad is similar to what she experienced while serving in the Army. Kinggo developed leadership skills while stationed at Fort Drum in New York and while being deployed in Iraq. 

“It was cool to be exposed to technological advances,” she said. 

At the Belt, Kinggo will manage the Train Management Dispatch System, IT level I and II support as well as PTC and IT security. 

“PTC takes the whole team,” she said. “It’s new and can be a challenge, but it’s beneficial to the overall health of the railroad and will help support our tenants.” 

Away from work, Kinggo enjoys baking. While she judges her creations primarily on how they taste, she appreciates the artistic outlet of decoration. 

“I’ve been recruited before for birthdays,” she said.