CLEVELAND, April 26 — Amtrak Board Chairman John Robert Smith today announced the appointment of David L. Gunn as President and CEO of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) effective May 15, 2002.
BLE International President Don M. Hahs offered the BLE’s support to the new Amtrak Chairman.
“On behalf of the 59,000 members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, I congratulate Mr. Gunn on his appointment,” President Hahs said. “I look forward to working with him for the betterment of Amtrak and its employees. The BLE is committed to supporting Amtrak and preserving a national passenger railroad system in the United States.”
Gunn has previously headed up both the largest transit system in the United States and in Canada, serving as President of the New York City Transit Agency from 1984 to 1990 and as Chief General Manager of the Toronto Transit Commission from 1995 to 1999.
“David Gunn comes aboard with exceptional experience and leadership skills to guide Amtrak at a time of tremendous opportunity for the railroad,” said Chairman Smith. “David brings to Amtrak an international reputation of reinvesting in better track and fleet, enhancing service, improving financial performance and planning for the future. He has forged good working relationships with labor, local communities, businesses and all levels of government, and is eager to roll up his sleeves, join forces with employees and stakeholders, and chart a course for Amtrak’s success.”
“I have always been a proponent of a strong national passenger rail network,” said Gunn. “While we face substantial financial and physical challenges, I’m convinced that by securing adequate operational and capital funding, we will be able to rebuild our plant and equipment in an effective and efficient manner, and continue to provide a high-quality service to the travelling public. I’m looking forward to joining Amtrak.”
Gunn most recently served as Chief General Manager at the Toronto Transit Commission from 1995 until 1999. Managing the largest transit system in Canada, he led 10,000 employees serving 1.3 million daily passengers with a system of 1,500 buses, 650 heavy rail cars and 250 streetcars. In this position, he improved the system’s cost recovery ratio from 66% to over 80% and implemented a State of Good Repair Capital Program.
Prior to leading the Toronto Transit Commission, Gunn was the General Manager for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) from 1991-1994. While at WMATA, Gunn developed the accelerated construction plan and initiated building of three of four remaining segments of the planned 103-mile rail system. Gunn also developed and implemented a multi-year $1 billion capital rehabilitation program, and strongly improved productivity at the agency.
Gunn was the President of the New York City Transit Authority from 1984 through 1990, and is credited for establishing strong fiscal controls, corporate goals and performance measures, while rebuilding track, railcar and bus fleets at the nation’s largest transit system.
From 1979 through 1984 Gunn was General Manager/Chief Operations Officer for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). In this position, he reduced the system’s operating costs from $138 million to $97 million per year, while rebuilding and replacing its subway cars, buses, trackless trolleys, and trolley fleets. He also planned and negotiated the takeover of Philadelphia’s 400-mile, 800-train-per-day commuter rail system from Conrail and Amtrak.
Among Gunn’s other past executive positions, he worked for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority as the Director of Operations in 1975-1979 and as Director of Commuter Rail in 1974-1975. From 1969 through 1974, Gunn was the Assistant Vice-President for the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad. He worked for the New York Central System in 1967-1968 and for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad in 1964-1967 at the beginning of his career.
Gunn graduated from Harvard College in 1959 and continued his education at Harvard Graduate School of Business, where he received his MBA in 1964. From 1959 to 1962, Mr. Gunn served in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
Effective April 27th, E.S. “Stan” Bagley, Jr. will serve as Acting President and CEO of Amtrak until Gunn assumes his new responsibilities. Bagley, a 28-year veteran of the company, is currently Executive Vice President of Operations, overseeing the company’s four business units as well as security, safety, and operational support functions.
Additionally, Smith and the board of directors recognized and thanked Ellen Dorfman, a partner in the executive search firm of Krauthamer and Associates for its instrumental role in the recruitment and selection of Gunn as Amtrak President and CEO.