Honorary Members

2009 Honorary REAC Member

William J. Sproule, P.E.

Bill deserves most credit for the current Rail Transportation Program and REAC at Michigan Tech. He was the one, who had the first vision about rail activities at Tech, who took its development under his wings, and who continuously steps up when assistance is needed. Bill has over 35 years experience in government, consulting, and university teaching and research in Canada and the United States. He joined the faculty at Michigan tech in 1996 and is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. In addition to his current research in airport planning and ground access, engineering education, traffic safety and automated people mover systems, Bill is the master of cartoons and hockey history.

2008 Honorary REAC Member

Eric Peterson

Eric has been one of the greatest supporters and advocates of railroad activities in Michigan Tech, since the initial start in 2003. Over the years, Eric has given guest presentations and lectures on campus, worked diligently in providing the industry perspective for program development and assisted the program with a personal donation from himself and his wife Pat. After leaving Michigan Tech in 1971 with both a BS in Civil Engineering and an MS in Business Administration, Eric worked for over 36 years in the railroad industry. He retired from CSX Transportation in 2008 as an Assistant Chief Engineer. Some of his most memorable events and accomplishments include involvement with the first computer terminals in division engineer offices and training as a locomotive engineer. Eric and his wife Pat live in Jacksonville, Florida and in addition to spending time with his family, his hobbies consist of boating and model railroading.