Viking Connections: Al Nabb
Al Nabb is currently retired. His most recent employment was as a project manager, maintenance superintendent and maintenance assistant general superintendent for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), the second largest rail transit system and the fifth largest bus company in the United States. As a project manager, he led the $80,000,000 implementation of a trunked radio system for WMATA's police department, Metrobus service, Metrorail service and all maintenance disciplines. As a senior maintenance manager, he was responsible for maintenance of Automatic Train Control, Automatic Fare Collection, and communications systems plus intermediate and depot maintenance for these functional areas, and was responsible for operating budgets of $40,000,000.
"With 48 years of public service in the military (22 years), commercial industry (10 years) and WMATA (16 years), I have a wealth of knowledge and experience to shape the leaders of tomorrow. Throughout my career, I have mentored subordinates to achieve their highest potential and realize their true potential to the organization. In the military, as an example, I mentored a young Captain who went on to achieve 3-star rank (Lieutenant General). I have interviewed for numerous positions and conducted hundreds of interviews for hiring purposes. I know how to impress future employers and, as an interviewer, what to look for in interviewees responses. I still remember as a senior at Augustana, my very first job interview and being interviewed by two recruiters from Farmall. The first question they asked me was, 'What is your ball of wax?' Needless to say I was unprepared for that question! And I was not offered a position. There is nothing more rewarding than making a positive difference in someone else's life. Plus, being a mentor is a way to gain new perspectives and ideas."
Graduation year: 1967
Post-grad: M.S. Telecommunications, M.A. Management
Majors: Mathematics and Physics
Campus activities: Physics Club
• Best way to contact: Email
