November 10, 2021 - TRA Newswire -
Jeffrey “Jeff” Davis has been named the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) new Rail Division (RRD) Director, effective November 15, 2021.
In his role, Davis will oversee and coordinate the rail activities for the department. He comes to TxDOT with an extensive boots-on-the-ground railroad background.
In a news release, TxDOT announced that Davis brings decades of both public and private sector experience in transit and passenger/freight rail planning, maintenance, operations and executive leadership to the position.
Paul Treangen, President of the Texas Short Line and Regional Railroad Association said that "Jeff has a wealth of experience in and around short line railroads and the Class 1's and we look forward to helping him be successful in his new position."
His previous experience includes serving in leadership roles for the South Carolina Public Railways (SPCR), a division of the South Carolina Department of Commerce, which operated the Port Utilities Commission of Charleston, Port Terminal Railroad, and East Cooper and Berkeley Railroad. He served as head of the Mechanical Department and was promoted to manager of Operations and Regulatory Affairs. Davis has also held leadership positions with CSX serving as manager of Labor Relations and as Terminal Trainmaster in New Orleans.
In 2007, Davis returned to SPCR as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. Through his safety first approach, he led SCPR to meet the milestone of 1,500 days injury free.
In 2013, Davis was named Chief Executive Officer for the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad where he remained focused on safety and directed the operations of the New Orleans Rail Gateway and the interchange of six Class 1 Railroads: BNSF Railway Co., CN, CSX, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern Railway, Union Pacific and a busy passenger rail network that handled three Amtrak routes.
Davis also held the position of Chief Operating Officer for TNW Corporation headquartered in Dallas and most recently has served as the General Manager of Hulcher Services where he was responsible for the Southwest region’s train derailment division.
Jeff has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern Wesleyan University in Business Management. He is married to his wife Lisa of 22 years and they have two children. In his spare time, Davis enjoys grilling, watching his kids play sports, and spending time at the beach with his family.