Railway Age is pleased to present the sixth-annual “Readers’ Influential Leaders” program honorees.
Through an online poll, Railway Age subscribers nominated a large group of active (non-retired) individuals from the North American freight, switching/terminal and passenger railroad; rail transit; government agency; and supplier communities.
Following are the top 10 individuals who readers believe to be most influential in 2025 and who embody an entrepreneurial spirit anchored in a commitment to service, safety and sustainability. Additionally, three leaders were selected for honorable mention; they, too, are listed below. Profiles will appear in Railway Age’s May 2025 issue. Congratulations, all!
Honorees
(in alphabetical order)
- Brian Comstock, Executive Vice President, President The Americas, The Greenbrier Companies
- Phillip Eng, General Manager and CEO, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
- Eric Gehringer, Executive Vice President of Operations, Union Pacific
- Craig Morehouse, Vice President, North Region Operations, BNSF Railway
- John Orr, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Norfolk Southern (Also selected as a 2023 Railway Age “Readers’ Influential Leaders” Honoree when he was Executive Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer at Canadian Pacific Kansas City/CPKC.)
- Sean Pelkey, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, CSX
- Ryan Ratledge, Chief Executive Officer, Pinsly Railroad Company
- Jeff Stevens, President, ENSCO, Inc.
- Nicholas C. Walker, Senior Vice President Operations Eastern Region, CPKC (Also named a 2022 Railway Age “25 Under 40” Honoree when he was Vice President Operations-West for Canadian Pacific, which merged with Kansas City Southern in 2023 to form CPKC.)
- Matt Walsh, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development, Genesee & Wyoming
Honorable Mention
(in alphabetical order)
- Bob Babcock, President and CEO, Livonia Avon & Lakeville Railroad (pictured, left)
- Kyle Hawthorn, Senior Vice President, Field Operations, RailPros (center)
- Gina Trombley, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Chief Commercial Officer–Americas, Wabtec Corporation (Also named a 2018 Railway Age Women in Rail honoree when she was Vice President of Americas Ecosystem Sales at Bombardier Transportation.) (right)
Who were the top 10 picks of Railway Age subscribers in previous years? Read about them here:
