Claude Edward Elkins Jr is a respected American business leader in the railroad industry. He is best known for his long career at Norfolk Southern, one of the largest freight rail networks in the United States. His journey is inspiring because he started in an entry-level field position and worked his way up to become Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.
His story is not only about success. It is also about discipline, constant growth, and understanding the business from the ground level. This article explains his early life, career in step-by-step, leadership style, and lasting impact. Let’s read about his life story in detail.
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Who is Claude Edward Elkins Jr?
Claude Edward Elkins Jr is an American business executive in the freight rail industry. He is best known for his long career at Norfolk Southern. It is one of the largest railroad companies in the United States. He joined there in 1988 as a road brakeman, an entry-level field position.
Over the years, he moved into marketing and commercial roles. Because of his ability, he soon became executive vice president and chief commercial officer. In this senior role, he oversees major business areas such as intermodal, automotive, industrial products, and chemicals. Before his railroad career, he served in the United States Marine Corps.
Early Life and Educational Background
Claude Edward Elkins Jr grew up in Southwest Virginia. Like many people from small communities, he learned the value of hard work at a young age.
He later pursued higher education. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. This may seem unusual for a future railroad executive, but strong communication skills are very important in business leadership.
He also completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA). This education helped him understand global trade, shipping systems, and supply chains. These areas are closely connected to the railroad industry. His academic background gave him both communication skills and business knowledge.
Service in the Marine Corps
Before building his railroad career, Elkins served in the United States Marine Corps. Military service often shapes a person’s character. It teaches discipline, teamwork, and accountability.
In the Marine Corps, he learned how to lead under pressure. He also learned how to work in structured systems. These lessons later helped him in the transportation industry.
Beginning His Career at Norfolk Southern
Claude Edward Elkins Jr joined Norfolk Southern in 1988. He did not begin in a corporate office. Instead, he started as a road brakeman. This is a field position that involves directly working on freight trains. As a brakeman, he gained more experience and understood how trains operate. About rail yard functions, he also masters his knowledge. He learned about safety procedures and daily operational challenges. Starting at this level gave him something special that many executives do not have: real working knowledge from the ground up.
Over time, he worked in different roles within the company. Each position gave him more responsibility and a better understanding of the business. From these, he moved into commercial roles, see how:
Moving into Commercial Roles
After gaining operational experience, Elkins transitioned into commercial and marketing roles. This shift allowed him to combine field knowledge with business strategy.
He worked in intermodal marketing. Intermodal transportation involves moving freight using multiple modes, such as rail and truck. This area is important because it connects railroads to ports, highways, and distribution centers.
His background in port and maritime economics helped him understand these connections clearly. He knew how railroads fit into the larger supply chain system.
Later, he became Group Vice President of Chemicals Marketing. In this role, he worked closely with industrial customers. He helped move chemical products safely and efficiently across the country.
Growth into Senior Leadership
As his experience increased, Elkins moved into higher executive roles. He became Vice President of Industrial Products. This division includes materials like metals, construction goods, and other essential industrial shipments.
In this role, he focused on improving service quality while increasing revenue. He worked with teams across operations, marketing, and customer service.
He was known for listening carefully to customers. He also encouraged collaboration within the company. His balanced approach strengthened relationships both within and outside the organization.
Appointment as Chief Commercial Officer
In 2021, Claude Edward Elkins Jr was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Norfolk Southern. This was a major step in his career. As Chief Commercial Officer, he oversees several important business units. These include Intermodal transportation, Automotive shipments, Industrial products, Agricultural freight, chemicals, and many more.
His job is to guide commercial strategy. This means deciding how the company serves customers, competes in the market, and grows revenue. If trains are delayed or service is inconsistent, customers are affected. So commercial leadership must stay connected to daily operations. Because he started in field operations, he understands this connection deeply.
Leadership Style
Claude Edward Elkins Jr is often described as practical. He does not rely only on theory. He understands how decisions affect real workers and customers. Since he began as a brakeman, he respects frontline employees. He knows the challenges they face. He believes strong customer relationships are essential. Railroads depend on long-term partnerships. He works to maintain trust through communication and reliable service. He encourages departments to work together. Commercial success depends on operations, safety, and finance.
From his beginnings to his ongoing business, he has proven himself to be a great leader through his approach.
Role in a Changing Rail Industry
The freight rail industry has changed significantly in recent years. Companies still face pressure to improve work efficiency and also reduce environmental impact.
As Chief Commercial Officer, Elkins plays a key role in addressing these challenges. He supports strategies that improve service reliability. Customers want predictable schedules and smooth delivery. Railroads must meet these expectations to stay competitive.
He is also involved in supporting sustainability goals. Rail transportation is generally more fuel-efficient than long-haul trucking. Promoting rail as a cleaner option helps both customers and the environment.
Under his leadership, the company works to balance profitability with responsible operations.
Personal Qualities of Claude Edward Elkins Jr
Claude Edward Elkins Jr is known for his strong work ethic. He believes in doing his job with honesty and responsibility. Here are some of his personal qualities:
- He is disciplined. His time in the US Marine Corps helped him develop focus and self-control.
- He is patient. He worked for many years to grow in his career step by step.
- He respects frontline workers. Since he started as a brakeman at Norfolk Southern, he understands the challenges employees face.
- He is a good communicator. His education and experience help him explain ideas clearly.
- He believes in teamwork. He supports cooperation between different departments.
Conclusion
Claude Edward Elkins Jr represents a leadership path built on discipline, education, and real-world experience. From his early days as a road brakeman to his role as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, he has demonstrated steady growth and strong commitment.
His background in the Marine Corps shaped his discipline. His education supported strategic thinking. His operational experience built credibility. Together, these elements created a balanced and effective leader. His journey shows that leadership is not only about position. It is about understanding the business from the ground up.
