All Aboard Northwest

Our goal is to build a transportation network that will allow anyone to get where they need to go – work, school, medical care, family and friends – even if they don’t use a car. Non-drivers are a large and increasing fraction of the population, including the young, the old, the disabled, the poor, and those who are concerned about the planet’s future.

All Aboard Northwest engages, educates and energizes the public, elected officials, business and local leaders, through outreach, Train Treks, presentations for legislators and communities, advocacy, soliciting resolutions and letters of support, publicity, coalition building and event planning.

* Outreach. AANW shares our vision of bringing economic, environmental and equity benefits to communities with organizations throughout the region.
* Train Treks. We conduct the “Train Trek” series of in-person and electronic meetings in communities of all sizes throughout the region.
* Greater Northwest Passenger Rail Summit. The Greater Northwest Passenger Rail Summit brings passenger railroad organizations, advocates and enthusiasts together with local, state and federal elected officials and policymakers, host railroads and rail infrastructure experts to educate, innovate and coordinate for the restoration, expansion and enhancement of passenger rail service across the Greater Northwest.
* Community Presentations. We present our vision to community organizations, business groups, and local governments, and to regional groups such as the Pacific Northwest Economic Region Summit and the Greater Northwest Passenger Rail Summit.
* Presentations for Legislators. We plan and coordinate events for state legislators, such as the “Whistle Stop” meetings for the Washington and Oregon Legislative Rail Caucuses, in cooperation with state advocacy organizations.
* Advocacy. We represent our cause and our partners before Congress, state legislatures, local governments, and public agencies.
* Resolutions and Letters of Support. We solicit expressions of local support supporting expanded rail options addressed to state and national elected officials.
* Publicity. We generate publicity locally, regionally, and nationally for our cause and our partners. We publish a blog, post frequently on social media, and operate Rail.chat.
* Coalition Building. We build regional coalitions of environmental, economic development, equity, labor, and health organizations, and those representing rail, port, transit and other transportation modes.

Our team of board members, staff and volunteers have the experience, education and training to achieve our goals. We have successfully conducted outreach and engagement activities throughout the region. Our leadership includes:

* Daniel Bilka — AANW President, Design & Local Engagement. Dan is a board member with the Rail Passengers Association. He holds his master’s in architecture from South Dakota State University and is working on architectural licensure. Dan was in the pilot class of the Department of Architecture, gaining first-hand experience in establishing new programs, what is required to succeed, and how to react as directives suddenly change. He has been involved with rail advocacy and public discourse since 2013. He has been involved in multi-million dollar projects from schematic design through construction administration and close-out.
* Patrick Carnahan — AANW Secretary, Writing & Policy Development. Patrick is co-Executive Director of AAWA, a Transportation Safety & Security Specialist at Sound Transit, and a former operator with Sound Transit’s T Line Link light rail. He is an experienced nonprofit administrator and writer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Saint Martin’s University in Lacey. Patrick has a strong background in advocacy for economically and environmentally sustainable transportation solutions with a focus on passenger rail. He has spent a significant amount of time abroad and is inspired to apply creative solutions to help solve America’s transportation and land use problems. His writing has been published in the American Public Transportation Association’s Speedlines newsletter.
* Charles Hamilton, Ph. D. — AANW Vice-President & Treasurer, Communications. Charlie is co-Executive Director of All Aboard Washington (AAWA), which promotes safe, reliable, frequent, competitive, and convenient passenger rail services that improve the equity, economy, and environment for all Washingtonians. Charlie is also the founder and co-owner of CHCS Consulting, which provides research, organizational development, publicity, marketing, and website services to a diverse national client base of businesses and nonprofit organizations. He holds a Ph. D. in communication from the University of Maryland, and has a certificate in organizational development and training from Georgetown University.