I remember reading about someone whose career started in the dirt, climbing literally and figuratively into the boardroom, and thinking: that’s not just ambition, it’s character. That brings us to Claude Edward Elkins Jr., a man whose name you might see on the cover of a business-magazine list, but whose story is rooted in the grind of the rail yard. He didn’t arrive in an executive suit by chance he earned it one rail car at a time. From a Road Brakeman’s hard, cold platform to the strategic helm of a major freight company, his journey speaks volumes not just about advancement, but about understanding your business at the most fundamental level.
Early Roots & Military Service
Upbringing and the “Jr.” Legacy
Growing up in southwestern Virginia, Claude Edward Elkins Jr. (often known as Ed Elkins) carried more than a name he carried the implication of continuity, of stepping into shoes that already had tracks on them. His surname wasn’t a decoration; it was a promise. In a region where railroads, rugged terrain, and community spirit intertwine, Elkins absorbed early the values of resilience and responsibility that would serve him well.
Marine Corps: The Foundation of Discipline
Before he donned a railroad uniform, Elkins served in the United States Marine Corps. That chapter in his life matters. The discipline, the chain of command, the “get it done” attitude these aren’t just military clichés. They’re formative traits that show up later when you’re standing on a rail car platform at dawn, or negotiating a multi-million-dollar logistics deal. His service honed a mindset that says: you show up, you do the work, and you lead by example.
Education: Communication Meets Logistics
Bachelor’s in English: Why it mattered
It’s not every executive who holds a Bachelor of Arts in English, but Elkins does. Earning that degree from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise taught him something vital: communication matters. In a business where jargon is plentiful and complexity the norm, being able to explain, persuade, simplify well, that becomes a rare asset.
MBA in Port & Maritime Economics: A strategic turn
Next came an MBA from Old Dominion University with a concentration in port & maritime economics. At first glance, that might seem a niche shift but in truth it was a strategic leap. How goods move, how markets connect across rail, ship and truck it’s all logistics. By coupling communication skills with an understanding of transport economics, Elkins positioned himself for more than just an operational role: he set up for commercial leadership.
On The Rails: From Brakeman to Operations Leader
1988: Entering the rail industry as a Road Brakeman
In 1988, Elkins stepped onto the tracks of Norfolk Southern Corporation as a Road Brakeman. That job isn’t glamorous: cold mornings, rail yards, physical work. But here’s the secret: you learn the guts of the business. You feel the vibrations of the tracks, you see what delays and safety really mean, you earn the respect of crews. For someone aiming high, it’s the most grounded start you can ask for.
Roles as Conductor, Engineer & Yardmaster: Learning the business bottom-up
Next, Elkins became a Conductor, a Locomotive Engineer, and a Relief Yardmaster. Each role added layers of insight: managing people, machines, schedules, safety, and real-world constraints. Most executives skip this, but Elkins didn’t. He learned it. Because of this, when he later sat in a boardroom, he understood what the person on the platform was dealing with. That empathy became a leadership advantage.
Commercial Leadership: Marketing, Intermodal & Industrial Products
Two decades in Intermodal Marketing
Having mastered operations, Elkins migrated to the commercial side specifically intermodal marketing. Intermodal freight (rail + ship + truck) is complex. You’re juggling different modes, different players, different geographies. For nearly twenty years, he built relationships with shippers, trucking firms and ports. He became the bridge between operations and customers. That means when a problem came up, he didn’t just talk about it he knew what it looked like from the ground.
Vice President roles and the step-up to executive leadership
By 2016, Elkins was named Group Vice President of Chemicals Marketing; by 2018, Vice President of Industrial Products. With each role, scope expanded: more teams, more revenue, more decisions. He didn’t jump he climbed. He understood his business. And having worked his way up from the tracks, his credibility was real, not just assumed.
Executive Role at Norfolk Southern
Appointment as EVP & Chief Commercial Officer (2021)
In 2021, Elkins achieved the title many dream of: Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer at Norfolk Southern. He now oversees key divisions: Intermodal, Automotive, Industrial Products, Real Estate, Industrial Development, Short Line Marketing, Field Sales, and Customer Logistics. That’s massive. But what makes it remarkable is the beginning of his journey from rails to this vantage point.
Responsibilities: Intermodal, Automotive, Industrial Products, Real Estate & Logistics
At this level, Elkins isn’t just managing trains. He’s managing strategy. How do you win customers? How do you deliver goods faster, cleaner, cheaper? How do you navigate regulatory changes, environmental targets, economic cycles? Having been on the ground, he brings a perspective many lack. He sees the big picture, and the small one. He knows the freight car, the schedule, the customer demand. That dual insight gives him an edge.
Leadership Style, Industry Impact & Challenges
Ground-level experience + strategic vision: What sets him apart
What stands out about Claude Edward Elkins Jr. isn’t just the rise but how he rose. Leaders who’ve “been there” often gain trust faster. When you’ve sweated in the yard, you know what your team is facing. Meanwhile, combining that with formal education and strategic roles means you’re not just reactive you set direction. That’s what Elkins delivers.
Key industry pressures: Supply chain shifts, sustainability, competition
The rail and logistics sector is under constant pressure. Global supply chains are volatile, customers expect speed, sustainability is no longer optional, and trucking/shipping compete fiercely. Elkins faces decisions like: how do we reduce carbon, how do we increase throughput, how do we retain skilled crews? His operational roots give him empathy; his executive role gives him levers to act.
Community & Board Engagement
Involvement with Georgia Chamber, National Association of Manufacturers, TTX Company
Leadership isn’t only inside the company. Elkins serves as Vice-Chair of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and is on the boards of the National Association of Manufacturers, TTX Company and more. These roles reflect his belief that business success and community success go hand-in-hand. When the region thrives, the industry thrives.
Mentorship, giving back, legacy building
Starting from a brakeman role and reaching executive rank gives Elkins a story to tell and young professionals a roadmap to follow. Mentoring, accessibility, and a commitment to service characterize his legacy. He is living proof that leadership isn’t about where you start it’s about where you learn to go.
Lessons from His Journey
Work hard where you are, learn every role
Claude Edward Elkins Jr.’s journey teaches us: don’t wait for the perfect job. Learn what’s in front of you. Master it. Because the skills you develop matter more than the title you hold.
Value of education, humility, operations experience
A BA in English might seem unrelated to rail logistics but it wasn’t. Communication matters. And starting in operations gave Elkins credibility. For anyone aiming high: blend education with real experience.
For young professionals: Practical take-aways
- Be curious: know the business from the ground up.
- Build relationships: in operations and in commercial teams.
- Stay adaptable: industries shift, technology changes, but fundamentals matter.
- Give back: leadership includes serving others, not just leading them.
FAQs
Q1: Who is Claude Edward Elkins Jr.?
He is the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Norfolk Southern, with a career spanning from rail operations to high-level commercial leadership. Equilar People serailshippers.com
Q2: What was Claude Edward Elkins Jr.’s first job in the rail industry?
He began in 1988 as a Road Brakeman at Norfolk Southern. serailshippers.com
Q3: What education does Claude Edward Elkins Jr. hold?
He earned a Bachelor’s in English from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, and an MBA in Port & Maritime Economics from Old Dominion University. Equilar People
Q4: How did Claude Edward Elkins Jr. move from operations to executive leadership?
After years in operational roles (conductor, engineer, yardmaster), he switched into intermodal marketing, then vice-presidential roles in chemicals and industrial products, culminating in his current executive position in 2021. serailshippers.com
Q5: What does Claude Edward Elkins Jr. currently oversee at Norfolk Southern?
He oversees the Intermodal, Automotive, Industrial Products, Real Estate, Industrial Development, Short Line Marketing, Field Sales and Customer Logistics divisions. norfolksouthern.mediaroom.com
Q6: What leadership traits make Claude Edward Elkins Jr. stand out?
His combination of ground-level operational experience, marketing/commercial insight, strong communication skills, humility, and involvement in industry/community organisations.
Q7: Which boards and community organisations is Claude Edward Elkins Jr. part of?
He serves on the boards of the National Association of Manufacturers, TTX Company, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, among others. serailshippers.com
Q8: What challenges has Claude Edward Elkins Jr. faced in his career?
Navigating supply chain disruptions, competing freight modes, evolving environmental expectations and balancing operational realities with strategic growth in a large rail company.
Q9: What lessons can we learn from Claude Edward Elkins Jr.’s journey?
That starting from the ground up builds credibility; education enhances perspective; leadership is about understanding both people and process; and giving back matters.
Q10: How did Claude Edward Elkins Jr.’s military service influence his career?
His service in the U.S. Marine Corps instilled discipline, leadership under pressure and a service-mindset — all of which shaped his approach to business and to teams.
Conclusion
When you reflect on Claude Edward Elkins Jr.’s story, you realise it’s more than just a rise through the ranks. It’s a blueprint. A reminder that titles don’t define you experience does; education shapes you but character sustains you. He went from a cold rail yard in Virginia to the executive suite of one of America’s major freight companies by hearing the rumble of locomotives and then learning the rhythm of business. His journey shows us that success isn’t given it’s earned, step-by-step, role-by-role. If you’re reading this and wondering what your next move should be: start where you are, learn what you can, communicate clearly, and don’t forget the value of humility. Because at the end of the day, leadership isn’t about the view from the top it’s about whether you understand the path that took you there.