Progressive Railroading has named Charles “Chuck” King, PE, Vice President, General Manager of Rail and Transit for Urban, as the recipient of the 2026 inaugural Rail Mentor Award. The honor recognizes those doing crucial work to develop and guide the next generation of rail professionals through mentorship programs or initiatives. These individuals are known for having a meaningful impact on others’ rail careers and the North American railroad industry as a whole.
“This honor is a credit to the parade of rail/transit engineers who joined Urban to dedicate their talents and time to developing skills in this discipline,” said King. “Urban is a unique incubator for engineering excellence, attracting eager engineers who want to participate in the design and construction of important, increasingly complex projects benefiting society. I was lucky to be trusted by the organization to introduce them to the discipline, develop their skills, and guide them through their professional development. Urban’s clients enthusiastically seek our staff's participation to provide engineering and construction management services, knowing our staff is well-trained and competent. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the industry as a mentor of talent.”
Mr. King has more than 40 years of experience serving in leadership positions at several engineering organizations nationwide. Since joining Urban more than 15 years ago, he has overseen the Rail and Transit Department, managing a team of more than 50 professionals. He is responsible for operational performance, project delivery, and strategic growth.
“Chuck has long been a trusted leader and mentor within Urban and across the rail industry,” said Urban’s President and CEO, James A. Bilella, II, PE. “Chuck’s commitment to mentoring, developing talent, and strengthening our profession sets a standard that benefits not only Urban but the future of the industry as a whole.”
In addition to his operational role, Mr. King serves as an internal member of Urban’s Board of Directors, where he contributes to fiduciary oversight, strategic planning, and corporate leadership.
A widely respected figure in the rail and transit industry, Mr. King has supported major clients, including NJ TRANSIT, National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH), Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT), and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
Mr. King’s leadership extends beyond project delivery to mentoring through both formal programs and everyday leadership. He played a key role in establishing Urban’s Developmental Council, a firmwide initiative focused on professional growth, structured mentorship, and career development. Under his leadership, the Council produced a Development Policy Recommendations White Paper, which was adopted into company policy to strengthen employee development, retention, and succession planning.
In addition to his work at Urban, Mr. King contributes to mentorship through his involvement in professional organizations such as ASCE and ACEC.
View Mr. King's Rail Mentor profile in Progressive Railroading here.