The American railroad industry has always been a cornerstone of commerce, growth, and innovation. Among its leaders, Claude Edward Elkins Jr stands out as a figure who embodies both resilience and vision. Known professionally as Ed Elkins, he has risen from humble beginnings as a road brakeman to serving as the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Norfolk Southern Corporation, one of the largest freight rail networks in the United States. His journey reflects the remarkable blend of operational experience, academic excellence, and leadership acumen that defines successful industry leaders.
This article explores the life, education, career progression, leadership style, and contributions of Claude Edward Elkins Jr, while also reflecting on what his story means for the broader transportation sector.
Early Life and Education
Although much of Claude Edward Elkins Jr’s personal early life details remain private, what is known about his academic path provides significant insight into his character. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. This choice of study may surprise some, considering his later career in freight railroads, but it reflects a broad intellectual foundation rooted in communication and critical thinking.
He later pursued an MBA at Old Dominion University, specializing in Port and Maritime Economics. This decision highlighted his keen interest in logistics, commerce, and international trade. To further strengthen his leadership capabilities, he attended executive management programs at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School, the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, and the University of Tennessee Supply Chain Institute.
This combination of liberal arts education, business expertise, and professional development positioned him uniquely to navigate the complexities of railroads, commerce, and customer relations.
Starting on the Rails: The Road Brakeman Experience
In 1988, Claude Edward Elkins Jr began his railroad career as a road brakeman at Norfolk Southern. At the time, this was a demanding operational role involving hands-on responsibility for train operations, safety, and coordination. Unlike executives who enter industries directly through corporate pipelines, Elkins built his leadership foundation from the ground up.
His early years on the rails gave him an invaluable perspective on the practical realities of railroading: the discipline required for safe operations, the collaboration between crews, and the challenges of running trains efficiently across vast networks. This operational grounding would later prove to be a defining advantage in his corporate leadership career.
Transition into Marketing and Commercial Leadership
After gaining operational experience, Elkins transitioned into marketing and commercial roles within Norfolk Southern. This move marked the beginning of his steady rise into executive leadership. He displayed a remarkable ability to bridge the gap between frontline railroad operations and the commercial strategies needed to secure customers and grow revenue.
Over the years, he served in multiple key positions, including:
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Vice President of Chemicals (2016)
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Vice President of Industrial Products (2018)
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Group Vice President for Industrial Products and Coal
These roles required him to oversee critical business units that contributed significantly to Norfolk Southern’s revenue, such as chemical freight, industrial materials, and coal shipments. His leadership in these sectors helped Norfolk Southern strengthen its relationships with customers, expand service offerings, and improve its commercial strategies.
Appointment as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer
On December 1, 2021, Claude Edward Elkins Jr was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Norfolk Southern Corporation. In this role, he took on responsibility for a wide array of business functions, including Industrial Products, Intermodal, Automotive, Real Estate, Field Sales, and Customer Logistics.
As CCO, Elkins leads efforts to align Norfolk Southern’s services with customer needs in a highly competitive and evolving marketplace. His position requires balancing innovation in logistics with operational efficiency, ensuring that Norfolk Southern remains a leading force in freight transportation.
This role is particularly important in the modern era, where global supply chain disruptions, technological change, and environmental sustainability concerns are reshaping the transportation sector.
Responsibilities and Vision as CCO
Elkins’ portfolio as Chief Commercial Officer is vast, but his overarching mission is clear: to drive customer-focused growth and commercial excellence. His leadership involves:
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Expanding intermodal freight solutions to serve growing e-commerce and logistics markets.
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Developing sustainable rail strategies that reduce environmental impact and enhance efficiency.
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Building long-term relationships with industrial customers, ensuring reliability and adaptability.
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Overseeing real estate and field sales operations, aligning them with corporate growth.
By combining his deep operational background with advanced commercial insight, Elkins brings a balanced perspective that few executives can claim.
Leadership Style and Industry Priorities
Colleagues and industry observers often describe Claude Edward Elkins Jr as a practical yet visionary leader. His unique background allows him to connect authentically with both frontline employees and senior stakeholders. He champions a leadership style based on:
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Customer-first strategies: ensuring clients see Norfolk Southern as a partner rather than just a service provider.
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Innovation in logistics: adopting new tools and methods to make freight rail more adaptable.
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Employee development: valuing the workforce and encouraging career advancement, just as he advanced from brakeman to executive.
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Sustainability and efficiency: aligning business success with environmental responsibility.
These principles reflect broader industry priorities, as railroads seek to modernize while remaining reliable and cost-effective.
Contributions to the Rail Industry
Beyond his role at Norfolk Southern, Claude Edward Elkins Jr has contributed to the rail and transportation industries in broader ways. He has been involved in industry associations, business councils, and community initiatives that promote supply chain excellence and regional development.
His leadership illustrates the critical role railroads play in the North American economy — moving essential goods such as energy resources, raw materials, and consumer products. Through his work, Elkins helps position Norfolk Southern as a key partner in national and international commerce.
Lessons from His Career Path
The story of Claude Edward Elkins Jr offers several lessons that resonate not only within the rail industry but also in broader professional contexts:
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Ground-level experience matters — Leaders who start at the bottom gain perspectives that are invaluable in higher roles.
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Continuous education is essential — Pursuing advanced degrees and executive training helped Elkins prepare for leadership.
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Adaptability defines success — Transitioning from operations to commercial leadership requires flexibility and vision.
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Customer focus drives growth — His career demonstrates that serving customers effectively is at the heart of commercial success.
Conclusion
Claude Edward Elkins Jr’s journey from a 1988 road brakeman to Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Norfolk Southern is nothing short of inspiring. His career reflects dedication, adaptability, and the power of combining operational insight with commercial expertise.
As the transportation sector continues to evolve, leaders like Elkins will play a crucial role in shaping the future of railroads and supply chains across the United States. His example underscores how determination, education, and leadership can transform not only a career but also an entire industry.
At The Globe Gist, we recognize and highlight such remarkable stories of leadership that inspire professionals across industries.
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Q1. Who is Claude Edward Elkins Jr?
Claude Edward Elkins Jr, also known as Ed Elkins, is the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Norfolk Southern Corporation, one of the largest freight railroads in the United States.
Q2. When did Claude Edward Elkins Jr start his career at Norfolk Southern?
He began his career in 1988 as a road brakeman at Norfolk Southern, gaining hands-on operational experience before moving into commercial and executive roles.
Q3. What is Claude Edward Elkins Jr’s educational background?
Elkins earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise and an MBA in Port and Maritime Economics from Old Dominion University. He also completed executive programs at Harvard Business School, UVA Darden, and the University of Tennessee Supply Chain Institute.
Q4. What roles has Claude Edward Elkins Jr held at Norfolk Southern?
Before becoming Executive Vice President and CCO in December 2021, he served in several leadership roles, including Vice President of Chemicals, Vice President of Industrial Products, and Group Vice President of Industrial Products and Coal.
Q5. What are Claude Edward Elkins Jr’s main responsibilities as Chief Commercial Officer?
As CCO, he oversees Norfolk Southern’s industrial products, intermodal, automotive, real estate, field sales, and customer logistics divisions, focusing on customer-centric strategies and sustainable growth.
Q6. What leadership qualities is Claude Edward Elkins Jr known for?
He is recognized for his customer-first approach, ability to bridge operational and commercial strategies, focus on sustainability, and commitment to employee development.
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