Her Story
About Keri
Keri Swift is the General Manager of the Port of Nevada and Western Nevada Transload, a rail-served logistics and transloading facility located in Fernley, Nevada. In this role, she oversees terminal operations, business development, financial performance, safety, and customer service, managing rail-to-truck transloading, intermodal operations, railcar switching, and the movement of dry bulk, liquid bulk, hazardous materials, and containerized freight. She works closely with Class I railroads, logistics providers, trucking partners, and industrial customers to build practical supply chain solutions that strengthen efficiency and reliability throughout the region.
Swift's career in rail logistics began five years ago as an Office Manager, following a period as a stay-at-home mother. She steadily advanced through the roles of Business Manager and Terminal Manager before stepping into her current position as General Manager. She built her expertise from the ground up through hands-on experience, developing a comprehensive understanding of both the operational and business sides of the industry.
Safety has remained a central focus of her leadership. Under her direction, the facility has achieved over 1,500 accident-free days, reflecting her commitment to operational safety and accountability.
Beyond her operational responsibilities, Swift is an active member of WILD (Women in Industrial, Logistics and Development), where she builds connections with other women leaders. She also supports the Soroptimist organization, contributing to domestic violence support initiatives.
A single mother, she draws much of her personal fulfillment from her children's activities and enjoys spending time outdoors, particularly floating the river or visiting the beach. She credits the encouragement of those around her as an important part of her professional growth and hopes to inspire other women entering the industry to stay curious, ask questions, and pursue hands-on learning at every opportunity.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Keri
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being willing to learn, ask questions, and take on challenges even when I didn’t have all the answers yet. The encouragement of the people around me has also kept me motivated and determined along the way. Becoming General Manager is one of my proudest accomplishments because I worked my way there through hands-on experience, learning the business from the ground up and continuing to grow with every role I took on.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve received is, ‘Don’t let them see you bleed.’ To me, that means learning how to stay composed under pressure. Working in a male-dominated industry has taught me that people look to their leader when things get difficult, so I try to approach challenges calmly, focus on solutions, and keep moving forward.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this industry to learn as much as you can and never be afraid to ask questions. Get out in the field, understand how the work is actually done, and stay curious. You don’t have to know everything when you walk through the door, you just have to be willing to learn. It’s a demanding industry, but it’s incredibly rewarding, and there is absolutely a place for women in it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in our industry is keeping up with growth while working within the limitations of existing infrastructure. In rail logistics, every part of the operation is connected, so limited track capacity, equipment availability, or changing customer demands can quickly affect the entire operation. At the same time, I think that creates a huge opportunity. As more companies look for efficient and reliable ways to move freight, rail and transloading can provide flexible supply chain solutions. The challenge is continuing to adapt, improve our infrastructure, and find creative ways to meet customers’ needs.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family is at the center of my values. As a single mom, my kids and being present for them will always come first. In both my personal and professional life, I value hard work, accountability, integrity, and treating people with respect. Outside of work, I love spending time with my kids and boyfriend, being outdoors, soaking up the sunshine, floating the river, or spending time at the beach.
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