Bob George

Back to All Mathematics Spotlights

After graduating in 1979, I taught Secondary math over in Morrisville, VT for a year, ski and sail bummed for a few years, and then returned to academics, earning an MBA from Duquesne University, another Christian Institution.

At that point, my Mathematics degree clicked in personally and professionally. I started a lifelong passion for designing and crafting hardwood furniture for personal growth, wanting to have a skill set working with my hands. Professionally, I coupled my passion for railroading with mathematics by beginning a career in the discipline of Rail Pricing. My first 10 years involved corporate positions with International Paper in Rail Procurement, mining data for overall paper mill system cost reductions and optimizations, utilizing SAS, a statistical software, at that time in its infancy. I also developed numerous Linear Optimization Models to reduce costs and minimize equipment use for inbound Chloral-alkali, starch, and plastics procurement, saving millions.

I then spent 30 years in Agricultural Marketing with Norfolk Southern Railroad, growing the unprofitable Edible Grains markets from $100M to $250M and dragging $65M annually to the bottom line by the time of my retirement in 2022. Clever data mining, southern cordial and Christian approaches to customer and government relations, and keeping a close eye on competitive elements in the domestic and international grain markets all complimented this rewarding career.

Post-retirement I can be found designing and sewing canvas applications for my 36’ sailboat, designing and installing a fully networked navigational array, and improving my navigational skills while sailing the waters of the Chesapeake. I also employ simple math, counting the increasing number of my Grandkids.

This all started with a well-balanced Liberal Arts degree from St. Mike’s with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. Cool life.