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 Marketing & Strategy
Kelly Lynch leads marketing, consulting, strategic planning, and media production, as well as provides 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. Kelly also serves FMW’s railroad transportation coordinator for motion pictures and movie train provider, consulting for film and television shows that require modern and historic railroad equipment, locations, research, and creative and logistical support.
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 brings 20 years of diverse experience within the railroad industry, offering clients comprehensive rail safety assessments, regulatory compliance audits, and operations training. A key member of the FMW Solutions team, Kevin’s extensive background integrates experience from tourist railroads, industrial rail operators, short lines, Class I freight railroads, commuter railroads, and intercity passenger rail carriers.
A Florida native, Kevin has cultivated deep expertise in rail operations, regulatory compliance, and safety. His career highlights include over a decade of hands-on experience as a certified locomotive engineer and conductor on both freight and passenger railroads. He maintains current knowledge and understanding of Federal Railroad Workplace Safety standards. Kevin’s technical knowledge is further reinforced by Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) certifications in Accident Investigation and Positive Train Control.
Prior to joining the FMW team, Kevin served for over six years as an FRA Operating Practices Inspector for the Florida Department of Transportation, where he provided regulatory and operational oversight for intercity passenger railroads, Class I freight carriers, regional railroads, and short lines. Through this work, he gained invaluable insight into the complexities of compliance and operations, which he now leverages to help organizations achieve their safety and efficiency goals.
Kevin has also demonstrated his ability to lead safety initiatives for Fortune 500 companies, develop training strategies for rail operators with extensive networks, and conduct impactful safety reviews for industrial rail clients in the ports, agricultural, mining, and manufacturing sectors.
In addition to his professional work, Kevin enjoys unpaid roles in the railroad and agricultural preservation communities. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservation and continues to maintain an advisory position within the organization.
Known for his thoughtful, data-driven approach to rail safety, Kevin integrates human behavior science with consistent, practical solutions to achieve lasting improvements. His collaborative mindset and commitment to excellence make him an indispensable resource for organizations seeking innovative and effective rail safety strategies.