Daniel Hampton

About Daniel Hampton

Proven leader that knows how to innovate key strategies to drive any program’s success. I am both a thought leader and operations leader with proven implementation results, which I’ve presented at over 15 industry conferences in both North America and Europe. Here is my process and key principles that can be applied to any program/business:1) Gain understanding of what is important, the current state, and perform a Gap Analysis: Build knowledge base to identify critical elements based on science, data, program objectives, benchmarking, and spending time with those performing the work. 2) Evaluate and implement new tools, technologies, and processes that enable application of universal key principles- drive decision making data to lowest user level for worker autonomy and provide leadership guidance and clear policies - drive high compliance by making compliance the easy thing to do (remove barriers and simplify)- ensure incentives are driving the desired behaviors - right size tool for job / work load leveling / on time training (highest value and retention at point of use)/ eliminate waste- ensure feedback/quality loops back to those performing the work- enable low cost high speed of change (enable multiple iterations with learnings from each applied to next stage to refine the product / reduce decision making layers and delays in approval timing / shorten the capital planning cycle)Favorite Quote:\"Strategy without action is only a daydream, but action without strategy is a nightmare\"Specialties-Systems Engineering-Process Improvement-Project Management -Lean-Six Sigma-Agile Hardware -Organizational Design/Alignment-Railroad track maintenance (rail grinding, ballast maintenance, right of way drainage, vegetation management)-Railroad design & construction (survey, design in Microstation, estimating, construction inspection & standards)

Experience

1. Director Contract Services

   CSX

   Aug 2023 — Present · Jacksonville, FL, US

   Lead the contracted track maintenance programs for maximizing the life of the CSX track network. Drive productivity and cost savings for an operating budget exceeding $75M annually. Direct the rail grinding, shoulder ballast cleaning, ditching, self-propelled slot trains, ballast distribution systems (BDS teams), undercutting, yard track cleaning, and vegetation management programs. Supervise 70+ CSX employees and 200+ contractors working on CSX\'s mile track network. Provide leadership in safety, productivity, quality, innovation, and scheduling. Subject matter expert in rail & ballast lifecycle management and research.Analyzed & Implemented changes to rail grinding program that has achieved a 60% reduction in TDD rail defects in 5 years and and 99% reduction in rail surface conditions that interfere with ultrasonic rail testing, resulting in reduced TDD broken rails.

Education

• United States Military Academy at West Point

  BS, Systems Engineering

  1993 — 1997

Skills

• Rail
• Value Stream Mapping
• Process Improvement
• Management
• Team Building
• Engineering
• Contract Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Integration
• Lean Manufacturing
• Transportation
• Railway
• Operations Management
• Ms Project
• Systems Engineering
• Quality Assurance
• Procurement
• Logistics
• Training
• Engineering Management
• Railway Systems
• Six Sigma
• Earned Value Management
• Team Leadership
• Process Engineering
• Military
• Contract Negotiation
• Manufacturing
• Operational Excellence
• Leadership
• Change Management
• Construction
• Strategic Planning
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Transportation Management
• Project Planning
• Supply Chain
• Inspection
• Business Process Improvement
• Freight