New Leadership Named for Operation Lifesaver Programs in Colorado, Massachusetts

WASHINGTON, DC, June 16, 2016 — Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) President and CEO Bonnie Murphy announced two new state coordinators for the nonprofit rail safety education organization: LeeAnn Sterling will lead Colorado Operation Lifesaver as state coordinator, succeeding Interim State Coordinator Steve Jankowski, who is now grade crossing and trespass prevention regional manager with the Federal Railroad Administration in Colorado. Dana Nye is now Massachusetts Operation Lifesaver state coordinator, succeeding Edward O’Connor, who recently retired. 

Sterling, a resident of Greeley, Colo., retired as director of fundraising for Visit Greeley at the Greeley Chamber of Commerce in 2015 after working in several positions at the Chamber. She currently serves on boards for the Colorado Model Railroad Museum and the Weld County American Cancer Society.

“LeeAnn Sterling’s wealth of experience with fundraising, outreach and nonprofit organization management will be a tremendous asset to Colorado Operation Lifesaver and the communities served there,” said Murphy. “We also are grateful to Steve Jankowski for his service as interim state coordinator, and look forward to continuing our partnership with him at FRA” she noted.

Nye lives in Mansfield, Mass. and is community outreach coordinator for the MBTA Transit Police Department. A police officer for more than 13 years, Nye has been with the MBTA for 11 years, has been an Operation Lifesaver Authorized Volunteer (OLAV) since 2014 and was also an Operation Lifesaver presenter. She is an active volunteer with Special Olympics Massachusetts’ Law Enforcement Torch Run®.

“Dana Nye’s expertise in law enforcement and community relations makes her a superb choice to lead the Massachusetts Operation Lifesaver program, and we look forward to working with her on increasing rail safety awareness and community outreach for all Massachusetts residents,” said Murphy. "We appreciate Ed O’Connor’s long service as state coordinator, and wish him the best in his retirement."

Operation Lifesaver state coordinators lead rail safety education programs in 49 states. These critical roles include managing volunteers and coordinating free safety presentations with various audiences; maintaining key partnerships with state government officials and railroads; working with the media; and providing insight to OLI that guides the organization’s strategic outreach efforts. “We are pleased to have LeeAnn and Dana join the group of outstanding state coordinators leading rail safety efforts at the state level,” Murphy added.

Sterling can be reached at coloradolifesaver@gmail.com or 303-759-3677. Nye can be reached at dnye@mbta.com or 857-275-7412.

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Tweetables!

·         Welcome to the @olinational family, LeeAnn Sterling and Dana Nye! #railsafetyeducation

·         LeeAnn Sterling is New State Coordinator for @COLifesaver! #seetracksthinktrain

·         Dana Nye is New State Coordinator for Massachusetts OL! #seetracksthinktrain

·         LeeAnn Sterling and Dana Nye are new state coordinators for @olinational. Welcome! #railsafety

About Operation Lifesaver - Operation Lifesaver is a nonprofit public safety education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail crossings and preventing trespassing on or near railroad tracks. A national network of trained volunteers provides free presentations on rail safety and a public awareness campaign, “See Tracks? Think Train!” equips the general public with tips and statistics to encourage safe behavior near the tracks. Learn more at http://www.oli.org; follow OLI on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.