John Walker Named State of Nevada Veteran Employee of the Month

The Nevada State Railroad Museum Boulder City is proud to announce that its administrative assistant, John Walker, has been chosen as the State of Nevada Veteran Employee of the Month from Veterans’ Services. 

Mr. Walker was selected for this recognition due to his continued efforts to ensure the safety of railroad operations and his selfless dedication to the visiting public. Under his guidance, the museum’s excursion train operations successfully adopted the General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) — a collective set of rules utilized by over 400 railroads across North America. Implementing and training all museum staff and volunteers on these operating principles ensures the museum provides the highest level of safety in its railroad operations.  

Additionally, Mr. Walker served as the only staff member at the museum for two months in late 2021. His dedication allowed the museum to remain open to the public with minimal disruptions. He provided school tours and supervised museum volunteers fulfilling the museum’s educational mission and making lasting memories for those who visited. 

“I am honored to receive this award on behalf of all my co-workers in the Division of Museums and History as well as all our dedicated volunteers who give much more of themselves than what they get paid for,” Walker said. “This is not a nine-to-five job, but those of us who work in Nevada’s museums feel like we are the caretakers of Nevada’s history, its culture, and its most precious artifacts.” 

Mr. Walker is responsible for managing the museum’s gift shop, tracking volunteer hours, and supervising the museum’s volunteers. He previously worked at the Western Pacific Railway Museum in Portola, California, and the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City. 

Walker served in the United States Army where he was trained as a combat engineer. He was later assigned to a fire department where he became an equipment operator and crew chief, before finishing his service as a courier for an engineer battalion. After leaving the Army, Walker attended Ashford University where he obtained a degree in organizational management.  

 “I could not be prouder of John,” said museum director Christopher MacMahon. “His altruistic attitude exemplifies the very best of Nevada’s veterans and the level of service provided to the public at this museum.”