Meet Our Team
Davidson A. Ward | President
In 2016, Davidson Ward observed the need for a new, agile, consulting firm that could guide the railroad industry into the 21st Century with professionalism, creativity, and transparency.
Since then, he has expanded FMW Solutions from its three founding partners into a firm employing over 20 rail professionals who specialize in dozens of crafts, including industrial and short line railroad operations, grant writing, engineering, economic development, non-profit and cultural institutions, and strategic planning. With 17 years of experience in the industry, Davidson helps serve hundreds of clients and multi-million dollar projects in over 30 states.
Davidson also serves as Chairman of the National Academies of Science Transportation Research Board Committee on Rail Rolling Stock and Motive Power. He graduated from the University of Minnesota summa cum laude with a BS in Architecture.
D. Shane Meador | VP - Mechanical
Shane brings more than 25 years of mechanical and operations experience from both Class I and Class III shortline railroads. Following an eight-year-long tour in the U.S. Navy and an honorable discharge as Petty Officer First Class, Shane spent nearly 14 years as a leading machinist and then Gang Leader at Norfolk Southern's Chattanooga Diesel Shop, where then-CEO Wick Moorman selected him to manage special railroad projects for Norfolk Southern from 2010 to 2013.
As an accomplished technician and leader, Shane oversees FMW's expanding machine shop in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, and a core group of machinists, fabricators, craftsmen, and specialists in railroad freight cars, passenger cars, and locomotive troubleshooting and repair. Shane’s leadership and team-focused management have led multiple successful projects, with a special emphasis on restructuring and guiding troubled projects that have been “derailed” by cost overruns or delays. Shane provides realistic and achievable project plans, including accurate estimates, cost-saving solutions, and industry best practices.
Shane also serves as Vice President of FMW Rail Operations, where he holds 49 CFR 240 and 242, locomotive engineer and conductor certifications, and is a crew operations trainer. He also holds certifications for Railroad Track Inspector, Machine Tool Technology, The American Welding Society, and has completed multiple level leadership and management training courses. He has received education and training from Central Texas College, The University of Phoenix, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga State Technical College, and the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers Journeyman program.
WOLFGANG A. FENGLER, MSME | VP - Engineering
Wolf Fengler’s technical expertise and engineering work have helped reshape railroad mechanical engineering and alternative fuel energy research since co-founding FMW Solutions.
With experience at NASA, and General Electric, and in working for half a dozen railroads in the United States and Germany, Wolf is the project lead for gas and hydrogen fuel cell and energy propulsion clients and is intimately familiar with EPA, FRA, AAR, APTA, and Amtrak standards. Fengler’s notable work at FMW includes engineering for steam and heritage projects, as well as alternative fuel research and locomotive construction.
Wolf’s professional career began with modeling the heat transfer and volumetric modeling of the NASA Advanced Inflatable Airlock, as well as the development of PEM fuel cell power systems. In his time with General Electric, Wolf developed a solid oxide fuel cell system controls and balance-of-plant package and served on the site safety committee, and earned his Six Sigma Green Belt with special training in Lean Manufacturing and Design for Manufacturing and Quality.
In addition, Wolf has 23 years of experience in the rail preservation industry, with additional command of historic steam locomotives and passenger cars. He is a cum laude graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles with a BS in Design & Control and an MS in Heat & Mass Transfer.
Roy Wullich | Manager of Operations and Finance.
With over 40 years in accounting and finance, including 20 years in rail operations, passenger car management, and historic preservation, Roy has held various senior management positions at several international companies including Intel, KPMG, and Price Waterhouse. Roy’s service in rail preservation includes leadership and advisory positions with Canadian Pacific, Railroad Passenger Car Alliance, Tom E. Dailey Foundation, Nashville Steam Preservation Society, and service with the New Kent County Sheriff’s Department.
W. Hugh Odom, P.E. | Senior Mechanical Engineer
Hugh Odom, P.E. is a registered Mechanical Engineer with more than 37 years of experience providing support to a variety of industries, including the Class I railroads and the United States Navy. Mr. Odom joined FMW solutions in 2019 in the capacity of Senior Mechanical Engineer.
Hugh Odom is a 1978 graduate of Clemson University with a BS in mechanical engineering, and he has worked as a project manager, mechanical engineer, environmental engineer, and nuclear engineer at various times in his career. In addition to working for the Navy and the US Army Corps of Engineers, Hugh spent 2 years with Norfolk Southern as a gang foreman in the motive power department. Mr. Odom was briefly involved with excursions with NKP 765 and N&W 611 during this time.
KELLY LYNCH, CFRE | DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS
Kelly Lynch leads marketing, consulting, strategic planning, and media production, as well as provide operations planning and logistical support for FMW, the National Rail Consulting Group, and its clients.
Kelly is an Indiana native with over 20 years of experience in railroading, film and video production, digital marketing, advertising, historic rail preservation, development, and fundraising. He has worked for a variety of short line and tourist railroad operations in numerous roles, including as a trainmaster, conductor, and locomotive fireman. In addition, Kelly has administered railroad operations, events, and logistics planning, handled customer service and customer experience, digital marketing, grant-writing, placemaking, and community outreach for dozens of operations and institutions. Kelly previously worked for Apple, NBC/Universal, and CBS/Paramount in his career as an award-winning freelance filmmaker and also serves FMW’s railroad transportation coordinator for motion pictures and movie train provider.
Kelly has been a board member and Vice President of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Inc. since 2005 and, in 2017, was named Executive Director of Headwaters Junction, a proposed regional railroad attraction that he has designed and developed. He was previously the Video Creative Director for Sweetwater Sound, the world's leading music instrument and pro audio gear retailer.
KEVIN SWEAT | DIRECTOR OF SAFETY & COMPLIANCE
Kevin Sweat offers clients rail safety reviews, and regulatory compliance audits, as well as provides operations training and he will be a key member of the FMW rail operations team. He maintains a deep knowledge of rail operations, regulatory compliance, and safety.
Kevin is a Florida native with over 15 years in the railroad industry, with experience on numerous railroads throughout the country, ranging from tourist railroads, short lines, Class Is, and commuter railroads and he has provided regulatory and operational oversight for intercity passenger rail and short lines.
Kevin has over a decade of experience as a locomotive engineer and conductor on freight and passenger railroads, and he holds certifications from the FRA in Accident Investigation and Positive Train Control. He most recently served for six years as an FRA Operating Practices Inspector for the Florida Department of Transportation.