Northern Plains Rail Services

Jesse Chalich, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Northern Plains Railroad and our Northern Plains Rail Services companies, passed away unexpectedly on March 11, 2026, in Grand Forks, ND. Mr. Chalich – or as we all knew him affectionately, “Jesse” – was 49. In addition to being a dedicated and consummate railroader who loved the industry, he was a leader, friend, husband, father, and more recently a proud grandfather.

Jesse was born on September 21, 1976, to Joseph and Cheryl Chalich. He entered this world with his twin brother Justin at his side. The twins were welcomed home by older brothers Jason and Ben. Later, little sister Lacey joined the family at their home in Longville, MN. It was in this beautiful northern Minnesota countryside that he developed his love for lake life. Jesse, always the go-getter, started his young working days by catching and selling turtles for the local Turtle Races before moving on to work in the local grocery store. Jesse graduated from Remer High School in 1995 and attended Moorhead State University before beginning his railroad career that would become a lifelong passion.

From his early days, Jesse had a clear sense of the path he wanted to follow – a path shared with his beautiful wife Julie, his remarkable family, and the countless friends and railroad colleagues who meant so much to him.

Jesse spent his entire career at Northern Plains, starting in 1997 as a conductor and later qualifying as a locomotive engineer. As a fourth-generation railroader, the work and associated culture came natural to him. Recognizing his genuine interest in developing relationships with others, NP founder Gregg F. Haug soon promoted Jesse into a customer service role, where his natural ability to connect with people quickly stood out. During that early part of his career, he also enjoyed coaching football at Midway Public School. Known for his genuine care for others and the trust he built with those around him, Jesse later transitioned into marketing and then executive leadership roles, helping guide Northern Plains as it expanded its service offering – growing from under forty to more than two hundred employees. Ultimately serving as President and Chief Operating Officer, Jesse led humbly with pride, integrity, and dedication until his final day. Under Jesse’s leadership the company grew responsibly, and his legacy includes exceptional employee morale and a culture that has truly supported employees in putting safety and family first.

In addition to leading operations in both the USA and Canada, Jesse was a graduate of the Railway Management Program at Michigan State University. In 2014, he was recognized by Progressive Railroading as one of the rail industry’s “20 Rising Stars.” He also gave his time to several organizations, serving on the boards of the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, the American Association of Railroad Superintendents, the Canadian Heartland Training Railway Services, and the Park River Park Board.

Coming to North Dakota as a young conductor, Jesse met the love of his life, Julie Gehringer. Their love story was fast, but Jesse was always surefooted. Those who knew Jesse are not surprised that he won over her family immediately, and even her extended family fell in love with this charming boy from Minnesota. It was no surprise when they were engaged and ultimately wed in Pisek, ND, on June 24, 2000. Jesse and Julie raised their family in Park River, ND, where they spent nearly 20 years building a home and life together. They welcomed their firstborn, Jaden, followed by twins Morgan and Ethan, and finally Maggie, who completed their family. In 2021, they moved to Grand Forks as Jesse, with quiet support from Julie, continued to grow NPR and NPRS. They were devoted parents who took great pride in their four children and in building a close-knit family that remains strong today. He cherished time spent at the lake, golfing, fishing, hunting, watching sports, telling stories around the campfire, and simply being together with family and friends. Jesse recently was enjoying his new role as Grandpa “Papa J” to 7-month-old Beckett. Jesse proudly cheered for the University of North Dakota – unless they were playing Minnesota, a rivalry he was always quick to laugh about. He was a devoted Minnesota sports fan, particularly of the Vikings, and like many fans, carried hopeful optimism into every season.

Jesse lived a short, yet very full life with lessons we should all take from this coach’s playbook. He was truly one in a million – no question a consummate and natural leader. He was a best friend to many, including his children, with innate compassion. Regardless of the situation, Jesse always showed up with the exact perfect words and charisma to brighten even the darkest days. Jesse possessed an uncanny ability to tell a good story and was a comedy legend. He could make even the most ordinary moments hilarious – and it would be rare to be in his company without a solid laugh, even at the hardest of times. Jesse was no doubt a man beyond his years.