What would it be like to go from working on railroad tracks to running one of the largest freight companies in America? Claude Edward Elkins Jr. knows the answer, and he thinks it is “yes.”
Serving as the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Norfolk Southern Corporation since 1988, his rise from brakeman also good for more than promotion. It’s proof of hard-earned commitment, lifelong learning and leadership experience gained through real work on the ground.
In this piece you can learn how Claude Edward Elkins Jr. evolved his hands-on rail experiences into an executive vision, and the leadership tactics that lead to him success — plus why transportation professionals across the country are still drawing inspiration from his journey.
What Qualifies Claude Edward Elkins Jr To Be A Renowned Railroad Executive?
There is something special about Claude Edward Elkins Jr in the railroad industry, and it’s not just his leadership which is, “from bottom to top.” As a road brakeman at Norfolk Southern when he began in 1988, he held one of the most physically demanding jobs in railroading.
Unlike many corporate executives who come in through management training programs, Elkins learned the iron way up on the rails. He became conductor, engine driver and relief yardmaster. This grounded him with something very few corporate leaders have — true knowledge of every operational challenge facing his company.
And his trajectory epitomizes a key truth about good leadership: the best leaders understand their industry inside and out. Nearly a decade of operations later, he moved to commercial management armed with what had become a strategic competency.
The Leadership Philosophy That Led to His Success
What makes Claude Edward Elkins Jr different is his human-centric form of leadership. He’d served in the United States Marine Corps before joining Norfolk Southern and he brought military rigidity and team work ethic into corporate America.
His philosophy of leadership is based on three principles:
Empathy through experience.
As a frontline worker, he can sympathize with employees on all levels of organizations. This builds confidence and credibility that simply academic heads often find it hard to replicate.
Continuous learning commitment.
In addition to his Bachelor’s in English from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, he holds an MBA with a concentration in Port and Maritime Economics from Old Dominion University. He also graduated from executive education programs at Harvard Business School and the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.
Collaborative innovation.
Instead of issuing top-down demands, he promotes work between departments and provides teams with the power to innovate within certain parameters of safety and reliability.
It’s that comprehensive mix of street-level know-how to executive education that has made him one the more respected figures in American freight transportation.
Major Career Achievements in Norfolk Southern
The career path of Claude Edward Elkins Jr exemplifies the strategic development and progression of responsibility. After his operating years, he entered the intermodal marketing field and over almost two decades connected Norfolk Southern with shippers, trucking companies and ports.
He rose to become Group Vice President of Chemicals Marketing in 2016, where he was responsible for a key component of the company’s freight business. Lead by exampleculminating as the Vice President and general manager, Industrial Products in 2018.
His crowning achievement was in 2021, when he was appointed by Norfolk Southern as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. He is responsible for leading key business units such as Intermodal, Automotive, Industrial Products, Real Estate, Field Sales and Customer Logistics.
His responsibilities extend beyond operations. He is shaping the strategic direction of the company, aligning commercial activities with long-term corporate goals and grappling with challenges such as supply chain disruptions and environmental regulations.
Innovation and Industry Impact
As a customer service and logistics world leader Appendix 7a Norfolk Southern, under the direction of Claude Edward Elkins Jr, has developed dramatically. He contributed to the development of systems that optimize operations and response.
He has given a lot of thought to freight intermodal services, as these have resulted in less crowded roads and lower carbon emissions with beneficial effects for business and the environment. This two-pronged approach mirrors the current role of modern transportation leaders who are driving profit alongside preserving the environment.
He’s also been an advocate for customer-friendly practices in an industry not known for putting the customer first. “All of our business philosophy has been built around delivering service our customers can count on, from people they can trust.”
In addition to serving the advancement of industry work at Norfolk Southern, he serves on boards and councils that advance industries writ large, such as CMOs through The Conference Board. He is shown as having a stake in policy debate and advocating for the pursuit of sustainable railroad practices.
Why His Tale Strikes a Chord for Professionals Now
The travels of Claude Edward Elkins Jr serve as inspiration for those who want to lead in any field. His story demonstrates that true leadership is a product of deep industry insight, paired with relentless personal growth.
For young professionals just beginning their careers, his trajectory also illustrates that starting at the bottom isn’t a hindrance — rather, it is an opportunity to establish credibility and comprehension of the business to expedite future growth.
For established leaders, his is a template for how to remain connected to realities on the front line and develop strategic vision. Together, they make leadership that is grounded and forward-thinking.
His close to 37 years at one company also underscores the worth of loyalty, and deep institutional memory at a time when so many move from job to job. Occasionally, growing in one place enables you to develop depth of experience and influence that is hard to match.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the position of Claude Edward Elkins Jr now?
Claude Edward Elkins Jr Executive VP and Chief Commercial Officer, Norfolk Southern Corporation Claude Edward Elkins Jr is the executive vice president and chief commercial officer of Norfolk Southern Corporation, where he has responsibility for several business units – including Intermodal, Automotive, Industrial Products and Customer Logistics. That puts him among the most powerful executives in American freight transportation.
How did Claude Edward Elkins Jr get into the railroad industry?
He started his railroad career in 1988 as a road brakeman at Norfolk Southern after serving in the United States Marine Corps. He cut his teeth in the field on types of operations like conductor and locomotive engineer before advancing to various marketing and commercial leadership roles throughout his multi-decade career.
What’s different about how Claude Edward Elkins Jr is leading?
His leadership singularity lies in the fact that he has labored at almost every level of the railroad business, from brakeman to executive. This provides it with a hands-on empathy and appreciation – that is, understanding not only from an academic perspective but also through practical exposure.. in this chasm between the operation challenges at the frontline to how strategic decisions are made.
What is Claude Edward Elkins JR’s education?
In addition to a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Claude Edward Elkins Jr has received an MBA with a concentration in Port and Maritime Economics from Old Dominion University. He also finished executive education programs at Harvard Business School and University of Virginia Darden School of Business.
What are the challenges faced by Claude Edward Elkins Jr as a railway executive?
He has led Norfolk Southern through supply chain disruptions, changing environmental regulations, competition from other freight companies and economic uncertainty. His operations experience allows him to address this by maintaining a balance between corporate strategy and operational mechanics that impact everyday business.
What has Claude Edward Elkins Jr done for accessibility in the railroads?
He has acclaimed intermodal freight services which ease up road congestion and carbon emission. As a commercial leader, Norfolk Southern has enhanced its focus on environmental stewardship and developed environmentally responsible business practices without compromising operational performance or profitability.
What professionals can learn from the career of Claude Edward Elkins Jr.?
His career reminds that industry experience is invaluable, and the ground floor is a great place to start; continued education multiplies natural ability; real leadership is possible only if we know our field from all angles. His story is a testament to how patience, dedication and having real love for people leads to lasting success.
Conclusion
As a leader, Claude Edward Elkins Jr is the embodiment of leadership by commitment, decision to grow and value for all facets of an organization. From slump-shouldered brakeman to chief executive officer, his path is a reminder that there really aren’t any shortcuts in leadership; rather, its essence is not only deep industry knowledge but also both vision and humility.
His influence extends further than Norfolk Southern’s success. He has influenced how modern railroad companies think about customer service, sustainability and the empowerment of employees. “For those of us who want to lead, his story is a motivating blueprint: Start where you are, keep learning something new every day, and never forget the people who allow your organization to run.
Want to go deeper on leadership in the transportation industry? Share this article with would-be professionals or tweet at @Hustle_Says which part of his journey you find most inspiring to your career dreams.
