Rail transportation
10 CHROs in Rail Transportation
These ten executives hold or have held the chief human resources officer or chief people officer title, or a close variant, at railroads and rail transportation companies. A reader can learn how CHROs lead people teams in rail transportation companies.
Professionals to explore
01—10Bethany Rodkey
LinkedInExperience: Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer · Carload Express, Inc.
Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer at Carload Express, Inc. since 2024; the profile describes Carload Express as a leading shortline railroad and transportation company serving Pennsylvania and Delaware. Also Vice President Human Resources (2023–2024), Director Human Resources (2022–2023) and Human Resources Manager (2021–2022) at Carload Express, Inc., and Director of Human Resources at Oakmont Country Club (Oakmont, PA) (2016–2021).
Jason Baginski, Esq.
LinkedInExperience: SVP & Chief Human Resources Officer · Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Company
SVP & Chief Human Resources Officer at Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Company since 2026. Also Vice President Labor Relations at Transtar LLC (2021–2026), which the profile calls Transtar Rail, Director Labor & Workforce Relations at Highmark Health (2016–2021), Manager Labor Relations at United States Steel Corporation (2012–2016) and Labor Relations Officer at Norfolk Southern (2008–2012).
Jayne Deno
LinkedInExperience: Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) · Metra Commuter Rail
Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at Metra Commuter Rail (2017–2020) and Chief People Officer at Catalyst People Solutions since 2020. Also Vice President Human Resources Americas at Oerlikon Fairfield (2015–2017) and Human Resources Manager at Schneider Electric (2013–2015); the profile describes HR leadership experience in both union and nonunion companies.
Josée Girard
LinkedInExperience: Première vice-présidente, Cheffe ressources humaines chez CN Senior Vice President and CHRO at CN · CN
Senior Vice President and CHRO at CN since 2023; the profile describes CN as a rail transportation company providing rail shipping, intermodal and trucking. Also Chief People and Purpose Officer at Ivanhoé Cambridge (2022–2023), Vice-présidente exécutive, Alignement organisationnel et ressources humaines at Ivanhoé Cambridge (2019–2022) and VP HR Rio Tinto Aluminium at Rio Tinto (2016–2019).
Josh Perkes
LinkedInExperience: Chief Human Resources Officer · Union Pacific Railroad
Chief Human Resources Officer at Union Pacific Railroad since 2024; the profile describes Union Pacific as a Fortune 200 transportation company. Also Vice President at Loup Logistics (2021–2024), which the profile calls a Union Pacific subsidiary, Assistant Vice President - Talent Management (2018–2021) and Assistant Vice President - Customer Experience (2017–2018) at Union Pacific Railroad.
Lora Cheatum
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President & CHRO · Kansas City Southern
Senior Vice President & CHRO at Kansas City Southern (2014–2023); the profile headline names the employer as The Kansas City Southern Railway Company. Also SVP- Global Human Resources at Layne, A Granite Company (2012–2014), Vice President Officer - Administrative Service (Human Resources, Procurement & Facilities) at KCP&L (2001–2010) and Director of Human Resources at McLane Company (Division of WalMart) (1999–2001).
Mary Ellen Russell
LinkedInExperience: Chief Human Resources Officer · Genesee & Wyoming Inc.
Chief Human Resources Officer at Genesee & Wyoming Inc. since 2013; the profile describes Genesee & Wyoming as a rail transportation company that owns or leases 115 freight railroads worldwide. Also Vice President Talent Management at Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (2012–2013), Managing Director at RSR Partners (2010–2012), Client Partner at Korn Ferry (2008–2010) and VP, Human Resources Risk Management at CMA CGM (2006–2008).
Riz Chand
LinkedInExperience: Chief Human Resources Officer · CSX
Chief Human Resources Officer at CSX since 2026; the profile describes CSX as a rail transportation company and a leading supplier of rail-based freight transportation in North America. Also Chief Talent Officer & Operating Partner at AEA Investors (2019–2026) and Board Member at Window Nation (2022–2026), BMS CAT (2019–2026) and Jack's Family Restaurants, LP (2019–2026).
Robert Bullock
LinkedInExperience: Vice President & Chief People Officer · Florida East Coast Railway
Vice President & Chief People Officer at Florida East Coast Railway (2023–2024) and Vice President & Chief Corporate Affairs Officer there since 2024; the profile lists oversight of HR, labor relations, safety, training and regulatory compliance at the railway. Also Vice President, Human Resources, Safety, & Facilities (2022–2023) and Vice President, Human Resources & Labor Relations (2022) at Florida East Coast Railway.
Robert Grasty
LinkedInExperience: Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resource Officer · Amtrak
Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resource Officer at Amtrak since 2023, after serving there as Senior Vice President, Human Resources Strategy and Solutions Delivery (2022–2023); the profile says the role leads HR strategy and transformation initiatives. Also Chief Human Resources Officer, Clinical Operations Officer, and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Woundtech (2020–2022) and Chief Human Resources Officer in Kailua-Kona, HI at Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (2018–2020).
Choose the right perspective
Match the type of operator to yours, since HR at a Class I freight railroad runs differently from HR at a shortline, a commuter railroad or a national passenger railroad. Also look at the roles each person held before the top HR job, such as labor relations, talent management or general management, when your question sits in one of those areas.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How does HR work with labor relations and the unions when negotiating crew agreements and work rules?
- 02What has worked best for recruiting, training and keeping conductors, engineers and mechanical staff?
- 03How do you build a pipeline of frontline supervisors and operating leaders across a spread-out network?
Reaching CHROs in Rail Transportation
How can I contact one of these CHROs in Rail Transportation?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Carload Express, Inc.; Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Company and Metra Commuter Rail, based on profile data retrieved on October 3, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach CHROs in Rail Transportation?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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