Amtrak names longtime executive as CEO

Amtrak announced on Wednesday that its president, Stephen Gardner, would become the railroad service’s next chief executive officer.

Gardner, who will start CEO duties beginning Jan. 17, has worked at Amtrak since 2009, in roles including chief operating and commercial officer and president. Gardner will be the fifth person to take the helm of the railroad service since 2016, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Gardner replaces current CEO Bill Flynn, who became the CEO for Amtrak near the beginning of the pandemic in April 2020. 

Prior to joining Amtrak, Gardner also held several legislative positions on Capitol Hill, with a Commerce, Science and Transportation subcommittee, for Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and for former Rep. Bob Clement (D-Tenn.).

The announcement comes amid a financial windfall for Amtrak through both the bipartisan infrastructure legislation ($22 billion) and private sector and government grants ($44 billion), according to the Journal. 

Among some of the initiatives that Amtrak intends to pursue is running service more frequently and paying off an order of 73 new trains, according to the newspaper.

“With the help of the bipartisan infrastructure investment, I’m excited about working with our state, commuter and freight rail and federal partners to improve our assets, renew our fleet and expand Amtrak service to more communities,” Gardner said in a statement.

“Having started my railroad career as an Amtrak intern, it’s an opportunity of a lifetime to help lead the incredible team of dedicated men and women at Amtrak.”