Introduction
In an industry defined by iron tracks and heavy freight it takes a rare kind of person to rise from the very bottom to the very top. Claude Edward Elkins Jr is exactly that person. His journey from a small-town brakeman in Southwest Virginia to becoming the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Norfolk Southern Corporation is not just a career story it is a masterclass in grit discipline and visionary leadership.
What makes Claude Edward Elkins Jr truly remarkable is not just his title or his impressive list of accomplishments. It is the fact that he has experienced every layer of the railroad industry firsthand. He has worked the tracks managed the teams developed the strategies and now leads the entire commercial direction of one of America’s most powerful freight rail companies.
In a corporate world that often favors those who came in through the front door Claude Edward Elkins Jr came through the side door and ended up running the entire building.
Early Life and Education of Claude Edward Elkins Jr
Claude Edward Elkins Jr grew up in the Appalachian region of Southwest Virginia a part of the country that has a deep and proud connection to the American railroad industry. The mountains the coal mines and the rail lines that ran through those valleys were not just scenery they were a way of life. Growing up surrounded by this culture gave young Claude an early appreciation for hard work community and the essential role that transportation plays in keeping America moving.
After completing high school Claude Edward Elkins Jr chose an educational path that reflected his intellectual curiosity and his belief in the power of communication. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise a decision that surprised some but made perfect sense to those who knew him. He understood that great leaders are above all else great communicators.
But he did not stop there. Driven by ambition and a desire to understand the business world from a strategic perspective he pursued further academic achievement by earning an MBA in Port and Maritime Economics from Old Dominion University.This combination of strong communication skills and sharp business acumen would later prove to be one of his greatest competitive advantages in the corporate world.
His educational foundation was not built around narrow technical skills. It was built around thinking clearly understanding people and making sound decisions qualities that would define his entire career.
Military Service: The Marine Who Would Lead
Before he ever set foot on a Norfolk Southern train Claude Edward Elkins Jr served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps. This chapter of his life though often understated is central to understanding who he is as a leader.
The Marine Corps does not simply train people to follow orders. It develops individuals who can lead under pressure think clearly in chaos and put the mission and the people around them ahead of personal comfort. Every quality that defines a great military leader translates directly into great corporate leadership: discipline accountability strategic thinking and an unwavering commitment to the team.
For Claude Edward Elkins Jr military service was not just a phase between education and career. It was a crucible that forged his character. The values instilled during his time in the Marines integrity resilience and servant leadership became the bedrock of everything he would go on to achieve in the railroad industry.
When he eventually transitioned to civilian life and began his corporate career he carried those values with him every single day.
Career Beginnings: Starting from the Ground Up
In 1988 Claude Edward Elkins Jr joined Norfolk Southern Corporation as a brakeman. This was not a management trainee position or a fast-track executive program. This was hands-on physically demanding railroad work out on the tracks working with the trains learning the industry from its very foundation.
This decision whether driven by necessity or intention turned out to be one of the most defining choices of his career. While many corporate executives have only ever seen railroad operations from behind a desk Claude Edward Elkins Jr experienced it firsthand. He understood what it felt like to work a long shift on the tracks. He knew the challenges the dangers and the dedication that front-line railroad workers bring to their jobs every single day.
Over the years that followed he progressed through the operational ranks moving from brakeman to conductor and then to engineer. Each role added another layer of knowledge another perspective on how this complex industry actually functions. He was not just collecting job titles he was building a comprehensive understanding of railroad operations that very few executives at his level would ever possess.
This foundation of real-world experience became one of his most powerful leadership tools. When Claude Edward Elkins Jr makes strategic decisions today they are informed by a depth of operational knowledge that simply cannot be learned in a classroom or a boardroom.
Rising Through the Ranks at Norfolk Southern
The transition from operations to management marked the next major chapter in the career of Claude Edward Elkins Jr. Having proven himself as a skilled and dedicated operational employee he began moving into marketing and commercial roles areas where his MBA education and communication skills could combine with his operational expertise to create real strategic value.
His rise through the management ranks was steady deliberate and earned. By 2016 he had reached the position of Group Vice President of Chemicals Marketing at Norfolk Southern a role that demanded not only a deep understanding of the chemical industry’s supply chain needs but also the ability to build and maintain strong customer relationships in a highly competitive market.
Two years later in 2018 he was promoted to Vice President of Industrial Products where he led efforts to strengthen Norfolk Southern’s position in one of the most critical segments of the freight rail market. Under his guidance the company improved supply chain efficiency deepened customer partnerships and expanded its market presence.
Then in 2021 came the appointment that represented the culmination of more than three decades of hard work and dedication. Claude Edward Elkins Jr was named Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Norfolk Southern Corporation one of the most senior commercial leadership positions in the entire American railroad industry.
In this role he oversees the company’s entire commercial strategy including its intermodal automotive merchandise and bulk commodity divisions. He is responsible not just for growing revenue but for positioning Norfolk Southern as a forward-thinking customer-first organization in an industry that is rapidly evolving.
Leadership Philosophy: What Makes Claude Edward Elkins Jr Different
What sets Claude Edward Elkins Jr apart from many executives at his level is the way he leads. Having worked at every level of the organization he approaches leadership with a rare combination of humility practicality and empathy.
He does not lead from a distance. He leads with an understanding of what his employees actually experience in their daily work because he has lived that experience himself. This creates an atmosphere of trust and respect that is difficult to manufacture and impossible to fake.
His leadership philosophy centers on several core principles. First he believes deeply in servant leadership the idea that a leader’s primary role is to serve and support the people around them not to accumulate power or status. This philosophy rooted in both his Marine Corps training and his years of front-line railroad work shapes every interaction and every decision.
Second he is committed to collaboration across departments. One of the most common failures in large organizations is the tendency for different divisions to operate in silos. Claude Edward Elkins Jr actively works to break down those barriers encouraging teams to share information align on goals and work together toward shared outcomes.
Third he is a strong advocate for investing in people. He believes that the long-term success of any organization depends on the quality development and engagement of its workforce. Under his leadership Norfolk Southern has prioritized employee training career development and creating an environment where talented people want to build their careers.
Finally he leads with integrity. In an era where corporate ethics are under constant scrutiny Claude Edward Elkins Jr is known as someone who means what he says and does what he promises. That reputation built over decades of consistent behavior is one of his most valuable professional assets.
Contributions to the Railroad Industry
The contributions of Claude Edward Elkins Jr to the American railroad industry extend far beyond his own career achievements. Under his commercial leadership Norfolk Southern has been at the forefront of several significant industry developments that are shaping the future of freight transportation in the United States.
One of his most impactful areas of focus has been the expansion and modernization of intermodal freight services. Intermodal transportation the movement of freight containers across multiple modes of transport including rail truck and ship is one of the fastest-growing segments of the logistics industry. It is also one of the most environmentally efficient reducing road congestion and carbon emissions compared to purely truck-based transportation.
Claude Edward Elkins Jr has been a strong advocate for growing Norfolk Southern’s intermodal capabilities recognizing that the future of freight transportation is increasingly multimodal technology-driven and sustainability-focused.
He has also been instrumental in driving digital transformation within Norfolk Southern’s commercial operations. From advanced data analytics that help customers optimize their supply chains to digital platforms that make it easier to book track and manage freight shipments his commercial team has been leading the industry’s shift toward smarter more connected transportation services.
Beyond his work at Norfolk Southern Claude Edward Elkins Jr is actively involved in various industry boards and councils contributing his expertise to broader conversations about the future of rail transportation infrastructure investment and workforce development across the entire sector.
Challenges and Resilience
No career spanning more than three decades in a complex capital-intensive industry is without its significant challenges. The railroad industry has faced enormous pressures in recent years from global supply chain disruptions and volatile commodity markets to increasing environmental regulations and the rapid pace of technological change.
Claude Edward Elkins Jr has navigated these challenges with the kind of steady composed leadership that only comes from deep experience and strong character. When supply chain disruptions threatened to derail operations during the global logistics crisis of recent years he led his commercial team with clarity and foresight finding ways to serve customers effectively even in the most difficult conditions.
He has also been a strong voice within Norfolk Southern on the importance of safety and operational reliability recognizing that in the railroad industry the trust of customers and communities depends on consistent dependable performance. When that trust has been tested he has been part of the leadership team committed to restoring and strengthening it.
His resilience is not just about weathering storms. It is about using difficult moments as opportunities to learn improve and build stronger systems for the future.
Community Involvement and Personal Values
Despite his demanding executive responsibilities Claude Edward Elkins Jr remains deeply committed to the communities that shaped him. His connection to Southwest Virginia the region where he grew up and where his values were formed continues to inform his approach to both leadership and life.
He is actively involved in educational initiatives that support workforce development and create pathways for young people to build successful careers in transportation and logistics. He understands that the future of the railroad industry depends on attracting and developing talented people from all backgrounds and he is personally committed to making that happen.
His involvement in community organizations and charitable causes reflects his belief that true success is measured not just by professional achievement but by the positive impact you have on the people and communities around you.
He credits his upbringing his military service and his years of front-line work for giving him a perspective that keeps him grounded even at the highest levels of corporate leadership. For Claude Edward Elkins Jr giving back is not an obligation it is a genuine expression of who he is.
Legacy and Inspiration
The story of Claude Edward Elkins Jr is one that resonates far beyond the railroad industry. It is a story about what becomes possible when talent is combined with hard work when ambition is guided by integrity and when a person is willing to start at the very bottom and earn every step of their rise.
For young professionals in any industry but especially in transportation and logistics his journey offers a powerful model. You do not need to come from privilege or have the perfect connections to build an extraordinary career. What you need is a commitment to doing your work exceptionally well a willingness to keep learning and the integrity to lead others the way you would want to be led yourself.
For the railroad industry specifically Claude Edward Elkins Jr represents something even more significant. He is proof that the industry can develop and retain world-class talent from within its own ranks that a brakeman who shows up and gives everything he has can one day be sitting in the executive suite driving the strategic direction of one of America’s most important transportation companies.
His legacy is not just the commercial growth he has driven or the strategic initiatives he has led. His legacy is the example he sets every day for everyone watching.
Conclusion
The career of Claude Edward Elkins Jr is a testament to what is possible when ability dedication and character come together over the course of a lifetime. From his early years in the mountains of Southwest Virginia to his service in the Marine Corps from his first day as a brakeman on the Norfolk Southern tracks to his current role as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer every chapter of his story has been defined by a commitment to excellence and a genuine love for the work.
He has not just built a successful career. He has built a life of meaning one that has made real differences in his company his industry and his community.
As the American railroad industry continues to evolve in the face of new technologies new challenges and new opportunities Claude Edward Elkins Jr stands as one of its most inspiring and capable leaders. His journey from brakeman to boardroom is more than a remarkable personal achievement. It is a reminder that in America the tracks to the top are open to anyone willing to put in the work.
