(Bloomberg News circulated the following story by Angela Greiling Keane and John Hughes on November 25.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak, whose budget may increase under an Obama administration, said its new chief executive officer will be the head of the U.S. railroad-safety agency.
Joseph Boardman, 59, who has led the Federal Railroad Administration since April 2005, succeeds Alex Kummant, who resigned from the passenger carrier on Nov. 14. Boardman will serve for a year as Amtrak searches for a “permanent” chief, Chairwoman Donna McLean said today in a statement.
“Amtrak is at a critical juncture and needs a vigorous management vision and ability to take advantage of this unique time,” McLean said.
Boardman takes over tomorrow with Amtrak in line to receive a 48 percent increase in federal aid percent should lawmakers and President-elect Barack Obama honor spending targets set by Congress. His FRA tenure included a systemwide safety probe of CSX Corp., the third-largest U.S. railroad.
The Amtrak board, which will grow by two people in April to nine members, may choose to make Boardman the permanent CEO, said Cliff Black, a spokesman for the Washington-based carrier.
Ross Capon, president of the National Association of Railroad Passengers, said he was relieved to have a new Amtrak CEO named quickly to advocate for passenger rail funding in any economic stimulus package that includes infrastructure.
Choosing a Republican to lead the railroad as the Democratic Obama administration enters may have been a smart choice, said Capon, whose group is based in Washington.
“This fits with the praise that Obama has been getting lately for picking people with the right knowledge for various positions,” Capon said.
Amtrak’s vice chairman is Hunter Biden, the son of Vice President-elect Joe Biden. As a senator, Joe Biden commuted daily on Amtrak between Washington and his Delaware home.