August 19, 2016 - NARP / TRA Newswire -
Amtrak Chairman Tony Coscia announced that Charles “Wick” Moorman, a long-time railroad industry leader, will be Amtrak’s next President and CEO beginning September 1. "Wick is the retired chairman, CEO and president of Norfolk Southern (NS) and will lead the company in the next fiscal year as we strive to enhance safety and customer service and grow and modernize the company", according to Coscia.
In a news release, Amtrak announced that Moorman comes to the railroad after more than 40 years at NS where he rose from management trainee to CEO. Having worked at NS from the ground up, he and his team modernized the way that NS conducted business, served customers and worked with communities. As CEO, Wick emphasized performance and teamwork across all aspects of the company, helping to drive a new culture of safety and service throughout NS’s system. When he retired, NS was well-positioned to leverage opportunities and manage future challenges.
Chairman Coscia said that "Moorman is looking forward to meeting with employees and stakeholders to establish a strong agenda to grow and strengthen Amtrak and to work together with the Board to chart a course for our future. The Board and I thank Joe Boardman for his dedicated service to Amtrak and its customers these past eight years. Under his leadership, and with your help, Amtrak delivered record ridership, introduced a series of safety initiatives,
and began to modernize our fleet. For this, we should all be proud."
Coscia went on to say "I know I speak for the entire Board when I say we have great opportunities ahead to enhance safety and reliability, deliver best-in-class customer service, grow our business, improve our infrastructure and solidify our reputation as “America’s Railroad. In selecting Wick, the Board saw the combination of skills
that will help put Amtrak firmly on track to realize its full potential."
“Wick’s 40 years of railroad experience at Norfolk Southern, along with his obvious commitment to a strong and thriving national rail network, positions him perfectly to execute a vision for a 21st Century Amtrak,” said National Asscoation of Railroad Passengers President & CEO Jim Mathews. “It was my understanding that Wick was looking forward to enjoying well-earned time off with his family. The fact that he came out of retirement to help Amtrak meet the opportunities and challenges that come with 15 years of explosive growth demonstrates a true passion for America’s rail system."
“With more 300-plus trains connecting over 500 destinations across America each and every day, it’s a big job,” continued Mathews. “Moorman’s experience with building teams focused on service and safety will serve America’s passengers well.”
“And of course we’d be remiss to not to take the opportunity to thank Joe Boardman for his service,” added Mathews. “NARP has greatly valued working with Joe as president of Amtrak. He understands that for the railroad to thrive, it needs to be a national service, and that long distance trains are—as Joe said himself—the ‘backbone’ of America’s national network.”
“This is a great choice. He’s an experienced railroader who knows how to work with the industry, employees and the host railroads," Sean Jeans-Gail, National Association of Railroad Passenger government affairs vice-president tells Trains News Wire. "We were looking for someone who would be a chief visionary, and he fills that role.”
Amtrak Chairman Tony Coscia announced that Charles “Wick” Moorman, a long-time railroad industry leader, will be Amtrak’s next President and CEO beginning September 1. "Wick is the retired chairman, CEO and president of Norfolk Southern (NS) and will lead the company in the next fiscal year as we strive to enhance safety and customer service and grow and modernize the company", according to Coscia.
In a news release, Amtrak announced that Moorman comes to the railroad after more than 40 years at NS where he rose from management trainee to CEO. Having worked at NS from the ground up, he and his team modernized the way that NS conducted business, served customers and worked with communities. As CEO, Wick emphasized performance and teamwork across all aspects of the company, helping to drive a new culture of safety and service throughout NS’s system. When he retired, NS was well-positioned to leverage opportunities and manage future challenges.
Chairman Coscia said that "Moorman is looking forward to meeting with employees and stakeholders to establish a strong agenda to grow and strengthen Amtrak and to work together with the Board to chart a course for our future. The Board and I thank Joe Boardman for his dedicated service to Amtrak and its customers these past eight years. Under his leadership, and with your help, Amtrak delivered record ridership, introduced a series of safety initiatives,
and began to modernize our fleet. For this, we should all be proud."
Coscia went on to say "I know I speak for the entire Board when I say we have great opportunities ahead to enhance safety and reliability, deliver best-in-class customer service, grow our business, improve our infrastructure and solidify our reputation as “America’s Railroad. In selecting Wick, the Board saw the combination of skills
that will help put Amtrak firmly on track to realize its full potential."
“Wick’s 40 years of railroad experience at Norfolk Southern, along with his obvious commitment to a strong and thriving national rail network, positions him perfectly to execute a vision for a 21st Century Amtrak,” said National Asscoation of Railroad Passengers President & CEO Jim Mathews. “It was my understanding that Wick was looking forward to enjoying well-earned time off with his family. The fact that he came out of retirement to help Amtrak meet the opportunities and challenges that come with 15 years of explosive growth demonstrates a true passion for America’s rail system."
“With more 300-plus trains connecting over 500 destinations across America each and every day, it’s a big job,” continued Mathews. “Moorman’s experience with building teams focused on service and safety will serve America’s passengers well.”
“And of course we’d be remiss to not to take the opportunity to thank Joe Boardman for his service,” added Mathews. “NARP has greatly valued working with Joe as president of Amtrak. He understands that for the railroad to thrive, it needs to be a national service, and that long distance trains are—as Joe said himself—the ‘backbone’ of America’s national network.”
“This is a great choice. He’s an experienced railroader who knows how to work with the industry, employees and the host railroads," Sean Jeans-Gail, National Association of Railroad Passenger government affairs vice-president tells Trains News Wire. "We were looking for someone who would be a chief visionary, and he fills that role.”