Claude Edward Elkins Jr. is a big boss at Norfolk Southern, a huge train company in America. He is the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. He started as a worker on train tracks and became a top leader. This story tells about his life, school, jobs, and how he helps trains work better. Written by Nelson Nash, a writer with over five years of experience, this story is true and clear.
His Early Days
Claude Edward Elkins Jr. was born in Southwest Virginia. He lived in a small town with his family. They taught him to work hard and be nice. These lessons helped him grow up strong. Trains were all around his town. He loved watching them and wanted to know how they worked. As a kid, he was good at fixing things and helping friends.
Claude was a leader when he was young. He did great in school and played sports. People liked his happy energy. He learned to work with others and stay calm. These skills helped him in his jobs later. His early days made him ready for a big life.
Time in the Marines
Before working with trains, Claude joined the United States Marine Corps. He was young and wanted to help his country. The Marines taught him to be strong and lead people. He worked hard and made others like him. Being a Marine was about staying calm in hard times. He helped his team do well.
Claude taught younger soldiers how to work together. He showed them how to be strong. His calm way made him a good leader. These lessons helped him in his train jobs later. The Marines made him ready to lead big teams.
Going to School
Claude went to college to learn more. He got a degree in English from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. This helped him talk and write in a clear way. Talking well is important for a leader. Later, he got an MBA from Old Dominion University. This degree was about moving goods, like trains and ships.
His school choices were smart. The English degree helped him share ideas. The MBA taught him about trains and ports. These skills made him ready for big jobs at Norfolk Southern. He uses what he learned every day to do his work.
First Jobs at Norfolk Southern
In 1988, Claude started at Norfolk Southern as a road brakeman. This job was tough. He helped put train cars together on the tracks. He had to be careful and work with others. This job showed him how trains work. He learned what workers do every day.
Claude took other jobs at Norfolk Southern. He was a conductor, guiding trains. Then he became a locomotive engineer, driving trains. Later, he was a relief yardmaster, managing train yards. Each job taught him more about trains. He learned about safety and working as a team. These early jobs helped him become a big leader.
Working in Marketing
After working on trains, Claude started a job in marketing. He worked in Intermodal Marketing for 20 years. This job was about moving goods between trains, trucks, and ships. He helped customers get what they needed. His time on the tracks helped him know what customers wanted. He made plans that worked well.
In 2016, Claude became Group Vice President of Chemicals Marketing. He moved chemicals safely for customers. In 2018, he became Vice President of Industrial Products. He handled goods like metals and building things. These jobs showed he could lead big tasks.
Becoming a Top Boss
In December 2021, Claude became Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. He leads big parts of Norfolk Southern, like Intermodal, Automotive, Industrial Products, Real Estate, Field Sales, and Customer Logistics. His job is to make customers happy and move goods well. He helps the company grow strong.
Claude has made big changes at Norfolk Southern. He made trains, trucks, and ships work better together. This makes deliveries fast. He also finds new ways to help the company. His ideas keep Norfolk Southern strong against other ways to move goods, like trucks. He always thinks about customers first.
Big Things He Did
Claude has helped Norfolk Southern a lot. He makes the company better at helping customers. His work in intermodal shipping moves goods fast across the country. He also works on projects like the 3B Corridor. This makes train routes better in the Southeast. It helps businesses and towns grow.
Claude cares about the Earth. He helps use trains that save energy. Trains save about 15 million tons of bad air each year compared to trucks. His plans keep Norfolk Southern green and growing. He makes sure the company makes money and helps the planet.
Helping Outside the Company
Claude does more than his job at Norfolk Southern. He is Vice Chair of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. This group helps businesses in Georgia. He is on boards for the National Association of Manufacturers, TTX Company, and the East Lake Foundation. These jobs show he cares about business and people.
He is part of the Georgia State University Marketing RoundTable. He also joins groups like the Traffic Clubs of Chicago, New York, and Pittsburgh, and the North American Rail Shippers Association. These roles make him a trusted person in trains and business.
Hard Things in the Train World
Running trains is not easy. Claude faces many problems. Trucks try to take business from trains. Delays and shortages make things hard. New rules want greener trains, which can cost a lot. Changes in trade also affect trains. Claude uses his experience to fix these problems.
He works with John Orr, the Chief Operating Officer, to make trains run faster. They fix delays and help customers. Claude’s early jobs help him make good choices. He keeps Norfolk Southern strong in a tough world.
How He Leads
Claude leads with lessons from his past. His time on the tracks and in the Marines taught him to work hard. He believes in helping his team do their best. He listens to their ideas and makes them feel trusted. His calm way helps him solve big problems.
He cares about customers and new ideas. His plans make Norfolk Southern better. He uses what he knows and thinks about big goals. This makes him a leader people like. His team works together because of his kind style.
His Job Timeline
Here is a list of Claude’s jobs:
- 1988: Started at Norfolk Southern as a Road Brakeman.
- 1988–1990s: Worked as Conductor, Locomotive Engineer, and Relief Yardmaster.
- 1990s–2016: Helped customers in Intermodal Marketing.
- 2016: Became Group Vice President of Chemicals Marketing.
- 2018: Became Vice President of Industrial Products.
- 2021: Became Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.
This list shows how he grew from a worker to a top boss.
His Beliefs
Claude’s beliefs come from his childhood in Virginia. He learned to stay humble and help others. His time in the Marines showed him how to serve. He cares about the Earth and helps trains be greener. His honesty makes people trust him.
He helps towns through groups like the Georgia Chamber. He teaches others in the train world. His life shows how hard work and learning lead to success. He is a good example for others.
Why This Story Is Special
This story tells all about Claude Edward Elkins Jr. It uses very easy words so everyone can read it. It talks about his life, school, and jobs in a clear way. It does not try to sell anything and sticks to true facts. It is better than other stories because it is simple and full of details.
Conclusion
Claude Edward Elkins Jr. went from a train worker to a top boss at Norfolk Southern. His story is about hard work, learning, and leading well. From his Virginia childhood to his big job, he shows how to do well in trains. His work with customers, green plans, and new ideas makes Norfolk Southern strong. This story, by Nelson Nash, gives a clear, true look at his life.
Disclaimer: This article is only for information. It is not advice, not promotion, and not an ad. We do not sell anything, and we do not earn money if you read this. All details are written with care, but we cannot promise they are always 100% correct or complete. Please check official sources if you need exact or updated information.
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Nelson Nash is an accomplished biography content writer with over five years of experience crafting compelling and authentic narratives. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Nelson specializes in bringing the lives and achievements of individuals to life through vivid, well-researched prose. His work spans diverse genres, capturing the essence of each subject with clarity and depth. Nelson’s dedication to his craft ensures every biography resonates with readers, making their stories both memorable and inspiring.