By Railfan & Railroad Staff

WASHINGTON — Amtrak is shaking up its leadership chart and appointing a long-time manager to the position of president. On Monday, Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn announced that Stephen Gardner would be the railroad’s new president effective Dec. 1. Until now, Flynn had held both titles of CEO and president. 

According to a press release, the new leadership structure will promote Gardner and help “ensure that Amtrak is well positioned for success in fiscal year 2021 and beyond.” Officials say that Gardner will have a wide array of duties overseeing operations, planning and asset development, and government affairs and corporate communications. 

“We have two urgent challenges in 2021. We need to successfully manage our business through this global pandemic, and we need to take the right steps to ensure that Amtrak is strong and viable for the next 50 years and beyond,” Flynn said. “Establishing the President position reflects these significant responsibilities and creates a leadership structure to address the challenges ahead.”

Prior to his promotion, Gardner served as senior executive vice president and chief operating and commercial officer. Since coming to Amtrak in 2009, Gardner has been responsible for efforts to expand state-supported service partnerships, advance significant equipment procurements, improve Northeast Corridor infrastructure, formulate policies to carry out Amtrak’s strategic plan, and guide general development and planning activities.

Prior to Amtrak, Gardner worked on rail and transportation policy for the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation under U.S. Sen. Tom Carper and others.  

Early in his transportation career, Gardner held various positions with Guilford Rail System and the Buckingham Branch Railroad in Virginia.