April 7, 2006 Thirty-Five-Year Railroad Veteran Appointed Head of Amtrak Transportation Department
WASHINGTON - Thomas P. Schmidt of Jacksonville, Fla., a 35-year railroad veteran, has been appointed to head the Transportation Department of Amtrak, it was announced today.
At CSX Railroad from 1985 to 2003, Schmidt served in several top leadership capacities, including Vice President of Engineering. He also held senior positions in network operations, train control technology and service design, as well as serving as President of the subsidiary Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad.
Schmidt began his railroad career in 1969 with Penn Central Railroad as an assistant trainmaster and industrial engineer. He retired from CSX in 2003 and most recently has been associated with the Jacksonville-based transportation infrastructure planning firm Transystems Corporation.
"Tom is a cutting-edge leader, known for modernizing railroad operations by utilizing new technology and management tools," said Acting President David J. Hughes. "We look forward to his joining a team that is firmly focused on increasing our operational performance and ultimately the value of our service to customers."
As Assistant Vice President of Transportation, Schmidt will be responsible for the safe operation of service, compliance with federal operating rules and the efficient allocation of trains and crews throughout Amtrak system. As part of the railroad's ongoing effort to more closely align reliable operations and superior customer service, Schmidt and the department will report to Customer Service Vice President Emmett Fremaux.
Schmidt graduated cum laude with a B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University and received a J.D. degree from St. Louis University.
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