AMTRAK has confirmed the appointment of Mr Stephen J Gardner as the new president and CEO of the company, replacing Mr William Flynn who is retiring.
Gardner will begin his new role on January 17 2022. Flynn will remain as a senior advisor through to the end of the fiscal year (September 2022) to support the transition.
Gardner joined Amtrak in 2009 and is already president. He is responsible for the railway’s day-to-day operations, customer growth initiatives and strategies to modernise products, services, infrastructure and fleet. He has also been responsible for efforts to expand state-supported service partnerships, increase Acela capacity, improve Northeast Corridor infrastructure and develop Amtrak’s strategic plan.
Gardner was promoted from executive vice president/chief operating officer and commercial officer to president at the end of 2020, when he also replaced Flynn.
Flynn was appointed president and CEO on April 15 2020.
“I want to thank Bill Flynn for his strong and steady hand leading Amtrak and navigating a global pandemic,” says Mr Tony Coscia, Amtrak Board chair. “This was one of Amtrak’s most challenging periods in its 50-year history. Bill has built a strong foundation for continued safe and reliable operations, innovations and growth.”
“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 says.
An interview with William Flynn was published in the September edition of IRJ. Digital subscribers can read it here.
