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Amtrak names new chief executive
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Amtrak names new chief executive

By Lori Aratani
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/lori-aratani/?tid=a_inl-amp>

June 26, 2017 at 3:19 PM

Gridlock <http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/?tid=a_inl-amp>
Amtrak names new chief executive

By Lori Aratani
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/lori-aratani/?tid=a_inl-amp>

June 26, 2017 at 3:19 PM
An Amtrak passenger train at New York City’s Penn Station. (Mike
Segar/Reuters)

Amtrak has named Richard Anderson, the former chief executive of Delta and
Northwest airlines, as its new president and CEO.

The announcement comes less than a year into the tenure Charles W. “Wick”
Moorman, who took over as the passenger railroad’s chief executive in
September. In a recent meeting with The Washington Post’s editorial board,
Moorman had indicated that his role was to serve as a “transitional CEO,”
working to reorganize and streamline Amtrak’s operations before turning it
over to new leadership.

In an interview, Moorman said that being able to attract a leader of
Anderson’s caliber signals that “Amtrak has a great future ahead of it.”

Related: Amtrak named Charles W. “Wick" Moorman as its new president and CEO
<http://wapo.st/2s9v87f>

Anderson will begin the job on July 12 — just a few days after Amtrak
launches an ambitious rebuilding program at New York’s Pennsylvania
Station, which is already threatening to upend the commutes for thousands
of New York City commuters. Amtrak already had announced service reductions
<http://wapo.st/2seD6XC> along the Northeast Corridor as a result of the
rebuilding program.

As part of the transition, Anderson and Moorman will serve as co-CEOs
through Dec. 31, officials said. Moorman will then remain with Amtrak as an
adviser to the company. That arrangement is designed to help Anderson make
the transition from airlines to passenger rail. Before taking Amtrak’s top
job, Moorman was the longtime head of Norfolk Southern Railway.
Amtrak has named Richard Anderson, the former CEO of Delta and Northwest
airlines, as its new president and CEO. (Amtrak)

“Richard brings to Amtrak his experience running one of the largest global
commercial air carriers. The board believes he is the right leader at the
right time to drive the quality of customer service that our passengers,
partners and stakeholders expect and deserve while continuing our path
toward operational and financial excellence,” Amtrak board Chairman Tony
Cosia said in a news release announcing Anderson’s appointment. “The board
also appreciates all that Wick continues to do to improve Amtrak’s safety
culture and strengthen our operating performance, including the important
renewal work at New York Penn Station.”

Given his previous jobs at Delta and Northwest, Anderson brings with him
existing relationships with key players on Capitol Hill, including members
on the House and Senate transportation committees. That may help as Amtrak
tries to stave off proposed cuts to long-distance rail service and fights
to secure funding for ambitious rebuilding programs such as Project Gateway.

Anderson, 62, does not have railroad experience, but he does have decades
of experience in the airline industry. He served most recently as executive
chairman of the Delta Air Lines board of directors after serving as the
airline’s CEO from 2007 to 2016.

He also was executive vice president at United Healthcare from 2004 to
2007, and CEO of Northwest Airlines from 2001 to 2004, which later merged
with Delta. Anderson began his airline career in the legal division of
Continental Airlines. Before that, he was a county prosecutor.

“It is an honor to join Amtrak at a time when passenger rail service is
growing in importance in America. I look forward to working alongside
Amtrak’s dedicated employees to continue the improvements begun by Wick,”
Anderson said in a statement. “Amtrak is a great company today, and I’m
excited about using my experience and working with the board to make it
even better. I’m passionate about building strong businesses that create
the best travel experience possible for customers.”

Moorman called Anderson a “best-in-class industry leader.”

While the idea of hiring an airline executive to focus on customer service
may raise some eyebrows given that industry’s recent troubles, Moorman said
that Anderson is a leader who understands the importance of customer
service.

“I know his focus is on trying to provide a good customer experience for
everyone,” Moorman said.

Anderson received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston at
Clear Lake City and a law degree from South Texas College of Law. He is a
native of Galveston, Tex., where his father worked for the Atchison, Topeka
and Santa Fe Railway.
------------------------------

Lori Aratani writes about how people live, work and play in the D.C. region
for The Post’s Transportation and Development team.
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