Introduction
In this article, we explore Claude Edward Elkins Jr, an inspiring leader who climbed from hands-on rail operations to top executive ranks in one of America’s major freight railroads. The name Claude Edward Elkins Jr appears early here to establish focus. His story is one of perseverance, humility, and steady growth. Through decades of service, learning, and leadership, he left a mark not only on corporate structures but also on the people and communities he touched.
Early Life, Roots, and Values
Claude Edward Elkins Jr was born in Southwest Virginia, in a region shaped by railroads, industry, and small-town communities. His upbringing instilled in him values of hard work, responsibility, and resilience. From his roots, he learned that success is not given but earned through persistence, character, and integrity.
These foundational years helped him internalize lessons that would guide him throughout his career: humility, respect for every role, and the dignity of labor. He carried those principles into everything he did.
Education, Military Service, and Personal Growth
Before diving fully into rail industry roles, Elkins served in the United States Marine Corps, an experience that reinforced discipline, leadership under pressure, and service ethos.
Academically, Elkins earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, equipping him with communication and analytical skills. Later, he pursued an MBA in Port & Maritime Economics at Old Dominion University, bridging the human side and the logistical side of commerce.
These educational choices reflect an individual who sought both depth and breadth — not just technical knowledge, but broader understanding of systems, markets, and human relationships.
Starting on the Rails: Operations and Grit
In 1988, Elkins joined Norfolk Southern as a road brakeman, one of the most physically demanding and rigorous roles in rail operations. From there, he progressed through roles such as conductor, locomotive engineer, and yardmaster.
This path grounded him in every layer of the railroad’s function — from tracks and loads to people and schedules. That firsthand experience later gave him credibility and empathy when he moved into leadership.
Transition to Commercial Roles & Strategic Leadership
After years in operations, Elkins shifted toward the commercial side of the railroad. He spent nearly two decades in intermodal marketing, forging relationships with shippers, ports, and trucking partners.
In 2016, he became Group Vice President of Chemicals Marketing, handling freight for key industrial sectors. By 2018, he was Vice President of Industrial Products, overseeing major commodity flows like metals, forest products, and construction materials.
These roles demanded not just operational insight, but market vision, customer understanding, negotiation, and forward thinking.
Executive Office: Leading Norfolk Southern’s Commercial Strategy
In late 2021, Elkins stepped into one of Norfolk Southern’s top roles as Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer. In this capacity, he leads divisions spanning Intermodal, Automotive, Industrial Products, Real Estate, Field Sales, and Customer Logistics.
Under his guidance, strategy and execution must harmonize — sales goals must align with rail network capabilities, customer demands, and long-term sustainability. His dual grounding (operations + commerce) lets him bridge those worlds.
Board Service and Community Involvement
Elkins’s influence extends beyond Norfolk Southern’s walls. He serves as Vice Chair of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and holds board seats at the East Lake Foundation, National Association of Manufacturers, and TTX Company.
He also participates in forums like the Georgia State University Marketing Roundtable and Conference Board’s CMO Council. In these roles, he contributes to policy, industry standards, and community development.
Leadership Style & Qualities
What sets Claude Edward Elkins Jr apart is his blend of humility and vision. Colleagues describe him as steady, approachable, and solution-oriented rather than dictatorial.
Because he came up from the field, he understands the challenges workers face. Because he moved into strategy, he also thinks in long horizons, risk mitigation, and growth. That balance makes his leadership both empathetic and effective.
He listens, learns, adapts, and leads by example rather than by force. He values relationships, trust, consistency, and accountability.
Challenges Faced & Responses
Leading in the rail industry brings daunting challenges: disruptive supply chains, regulatory pressures, competition from trucks and ports, global economic uncertainty, infrastructure demands, environmental and sustainability concerns.
Elkins has navigated these by staying grounded in principles, relying on teams, investing in innovation, and aligning growth with reality. His experience permits him to make pragmatic decisions under pressure.
He also must maintain work-life balance and guard against executive isolation. The best leaders do not abandon the roots that shaped them.
Key Achievements & Impact
- His climb from brakeman to executive demonstrates that performance, persistence, and integrity matter in corporate ladders.
- In his executive role, he steers multi-division growth, customer centricity, and network alignment.
- Through board roles and community engagement, he extends influence beyond profit to social value.
- He builds trust because people see that he has been where they are — on the tracks, in the field, under pressure.
Two Personal Lessons From His Journey
- Ground-Level Experience Matters
Executives who have done operational work often lead with more empathy, better decision awareness, and fewer blind spots. Elkins’s early years gave him that foundation. - Continuous Learning Wins
Elkins didn’t rely on his early roles alone — he expanded through education, marketing, strategy, and board service. Growth must be active, not passive.
These are lessons that apply in any field, whether railroads or startups.
The Legacy and Future of Claude Edward Elkins Jr
Looking ahead, Elkins’s legacy may be that of a bridge — between street-level workers and executive teams, between customer demands and operations, between corporate success and social responsibility.
His story encourages future leaders to stay humble, stay curious, and stay rooted even as they pursue reach.
In years to come, his influence may ripple through rail modernization, logistics innovation, community investment, and leadership development in his region.
FAQs
Q: What company does Claude Edward Elkins Jr lead?
He is Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Norfolk Southern Corporation.
Q: How did he start his career?
He began as a road brakeman in 1988 and later served as conductor, locomotive engineer, and yardmaster.
Q: What is his educational background?
He holds a BA in English from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise and an MBA in Port & Maritime Economics from Old Dominion University.
Q: What boards does he serve on?
He is Vice Chair of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and a board member of East Lake Foundation, National Association of Manufacturers, and TTX Company.
Q: What qualities define his leadership?
He is known for humility, technocratic thinking grounded in operational experience, listening, strategic insight, and consistency in values.
