PUEBLO, Colo. — The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Business Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Pueblo Convention Center. The luncheon is presented by InBank, with corporate sponsors H.W. Houston Construction and Comcast.
Each year, the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce recognizes outstanding leadership and business excellence in the Pueblo community through the Business of the Year Award and the prestigious “Charles W. Crews” Business Leader of the Year Award. These honors celebrate organizations and individuals whose leadership, innovation, and dedication help strengthen Pueblo’s economy and community.
Business of the Year
The 2026 Business of the Year Award will be presented to MxV Rail.
MxV Rail, formerly known as Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI), has been a vital part of Colorado’s rail industry for more than 40 years. Its presence in Pueblo began in 1982, when the Federal Railroad Administration formed a public-private partnership with the Association of American Railroads (AAR) to manage operations at the Transportation Technology Center located northeast of Pueblo.
In 1998, AAR established Transportation Technology Center, Inc. to conduct industry research, testing, and site operations. Over the next two decades, TTCI became a national leader in rail research, engineering, testing, and safety innovation, helping improve freight rail reliability and system performance across North America.
In 2021, TTCI’s long-standing operational contract concluded, and a new operator assumed control of the Transportation Technology Center in 2022. That same year, AAR rebranded TTCI as MxV Rail, marking the next evolution of its mission.
MxV Rail has since begun developing state-of-the-art independent facilities at PuebloPlex, investing more than $60 million in new rail testing infrastructure. This strategic investment ensures that MxV Rail’s specialized workforce and advanced capabilities remain rooted in Pueblo.
MxV Rail also maintains strong partnerships with the community and education institutions. Through collaboration with Colorado State University Pueblo, local schools, and national transportation partners, the organization helps support workforce development and research initiatives that prepare the next generation of transportation professionals.
A key contributor to Pueblo’s civic and economic landscape is the Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC), a division of MxV Rail and a national leader in hazardous materials and emergency response training. SERTC has trained more than 70,000 emergency responders and welcomed dozens of first responders each week, supporting local hotels, restaurants, and businesses during their time in Pueblo.
Through its continued investment, industry leadership, and commitment to community partnerships, MxV Rail remains a major contributor to Pueblo’s economic vitality and a global leader in rail research and innovation.
“Charles W. Crews” Business Leader of the Year
The 2026 “Charles W. Crews” Business Leader of the Year Award will be presented to Mark “Yak” Maryak, Program Manager and Director of Flight Training for CAE’s Pueblo Training Center.
Maryak retired from the United States Air Force in 2007 after an impressive 20-year military career that included commanding a B-52 squadron during both peacetime and combat operations. After retiring from the Air Force, he moved to Pueblo in 2008 to work for Doss Aviation at the Pueblo Memorial Airport as an Instructor Pilot for the U.S. Air Force’s Initial Flight Training (IFT) program.
Doss Aviation was later acquired by CAE, an international company specializing in aviation training and simulation for both the civilian and defense sectors. Less than a year after arriving in Pueblo, Maryak assumed increasing leadership roles within the organization, eventually becoming Chief Pilot, where he led a team of 85 instructor pilots responsible for training approximately 1,300 U.S. and partner nation military students each year.
In 2022, Maryak was promoted to Program Manager and Director of Flight Training for CAE’s Pueblo Training Center. In this role, he oversees an operation employing more than 170 people and manages all aspects of the program, including flight operations, aircraft maintenance, security, lodging, facilities, food service, and student welfare.
Under Maryak’s leadership, CAE’s Pueblo Training Center has flown over 500,000 hours and graduated more than 25,000 student pilots, while maintaining an outstanding aviation safety record with zero fatalities and an accident rate significantly lower than the general aviation industry.
When the Air Force announced plans to restructure its pilot training process in 2026, creating uncertainty for the future of the Pueblo Training Center, Maryak remained committed to protecting the program and the jobs it provides to the community. He has worked tirelessly to prepare the largest contract rebid in the center’s history while expanding opportunities for the facility.
Maryak’s leadership extends beyond aviation. He actively supports the Pueblo community through his involvement with the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce Military AffairsCommittee and as Vice President of the Board of Directors for GOAL High School, where he helps guide initiatives supporting student success and educational opportunity.
Join us in celebrating these exceptional individuals by securing a ticket to the 2026 Business Awards Luncheon. Tickets are priced at $40 per person, or you can opt for a Table Sponsorship at $600. As a table sponsor, you will enjoy eight seats at the luncheon, along with social media recognition and your business logo featured in the event program.
To RSVP for the luncheon, contact Terri Kallish at terrik@pueblochamber.net or 719.542.1704.
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About the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce serves as the leading voice for business in Pueblo and the surrounding region. The Chamber works to strengthen the local economy by supporting business growth, advocating pro-business policies, fostering leadership development, and creating opportunities for collaboration among businesses, community leaders, and organizations.
Through events, programs, and strategic partnerships, the Chamber helps build a vibrant business environment that supports economic prosperity and enhances the quality of life in Pueblo.
For more information, visit pueblochamber.org.
Media Contact:
Krystle Herrera
Communications Coordinator
krystle@pueblochamber.net
719.621.4420
pueblochamber.org
