Joel Winchester

Joel Winchester has over three decades of experience in the railway industry. Their most recent position is as the Senior Director of Engineering Maintenance at Metra Commuter Rail, a role they have held since November 2022. Previously, they served as the Senior Director of Signal & PTC Engineering from March 2021 to December 2022. Prior to that, they held the position of Director of Engineering for the Milwaukee District at Metra Commuter Rail from December 2019 to March 2021. From February 2012 to December 2019, they were the Director of Engineering for the Metra Electric District. Joel's career at Metra Commuter Rail began in 1994 as a Signalman and they progressed through various roles, including Supervisor Signal Training/Project Signal Engineer and Project Signal Engineer. Before joining Metra Commuter Rail, they worked as a Signalman at Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway from June 1991 to July 1994.

Joel Winchester earned an Associate's Degree in Electrical/Electronic Automated Systems from Joliet Junior College between 1987 and 1991. Joel then went on to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Technical Management from DeVry University, completing their studies between 2016 and 2020.