(Source: Operation Lifesaver press release, June 5, 2018)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Operation Lifesaver, Inc. Interim President Wende Corcoran announced new program leaders for the nonprofit rail safety education organization in three states. Jeffrey Pitcher now leads Maine Operation Lifesaver (ME OL) as state coordinator; Alan Stouder is the new Ohio Operation Lifesaver (OH OL) state coordinator; and Kathy Zanderhas taken over as state coordinator for Operation Lifesaver of the Dakotas (ND/SD).
Pitcher, who has been a volunteer with ME OL since 2010, lives in Hermon, Maine. His career experience includes more than 25 years in the railroad industry including seven years as a regulatory inspector and manager and 18 years of service with short line railroads in Maine.
“I look forward to continuing Maine Operation Lifesaver’s active efforts to educate drivers and pedestrians in our state about keeping themselves safe near tracks and trains,” Pitcher said.
Stouder, a resident of Pioneer, has been active with Operation Lifesaver for 17 years as a volunteer, coach and Rail Safety for Emergency Responders course instructor; he has been nominated twice for Operation Lifesaver’s F. Tom Roberts Outstanding Volunteer Award. He has 41 years of service with Norfolk Southern Corporation in its track department and is Chairman of BMWE Local #888. Stouder also is an instructor for the American Red Cross in their Volunteer Support and Diversity Training.
“I’m proud and honored to continue to help spread public awareness about the need for caution around railroads and reinforce positive behavior though Operation Lifesaver’s rail safety education programs,” Stouder stated.
The North Dakota Safety Council (NDSC) administers the Operation Lifesaver of the Dakotas program. Zander, who officially took the reins of the program in March, came to the NDSC in 2011 as an administrative assistant in the Traffic Safety Department. In April of 2017, she helped coordinate the OL of the Dakotas program, and subsequently was tapped to manage the Home & Community area of NDSC, which includes OL of the Dakotas. A Bismarck resident, she has previous experience managing businesses in the salon and spa sector and coordinating the office of an oral surgeon.
“As rail traffic continues to grow in North and South Dakota, I look forward to continuing Operation Lifesaver’s important work of sharing lifesaving messages with our citizens,” said Zander.
Said OLI’s Corcoran, “Operation Lifesaver is fortunate to have these three rail and transportation safety experts working to provide important public education in their states.”
Pitcher can be reached at pitcher.jeffrey@gmail.com or 207-619-0371. Stouder can be reached at stouder@frontier.com or 419-551-6398. Zander can be reached at KathyZ@ndsc.org or 701-751-6105.