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 (do we spell this out for sweet SEO?) 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.

KATIE SLIDER | Senior Operations Manager

An award-winning Norfolk Southern employee, Katie Slider’s 24-year career saw her administer equipment planning, operating best practices, end-of-train devices, and car maintenance with senior leadership, mechanical departments, business analysts, and fleet managers. Katie also helped lead Norfolk Southern’s 21st Century Steam Program between 2011 and 2015. Her role at FMW will oversee client onboarding, project management, internal procedures, and the firm’s expanding machine shop in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee.

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.