Railway Age: Calling All Nominations for ‘Most Influential Industry Leaders’
The North American railway industry in large part is driven by influential leaders, people whose mantra is making a difference, and who are committed to service. Railway Age subscribers may now nominate an individual they believe is the single-most influential active (non-retired) man or woman in the industry. The top 10 will be featured in Railway Age’s May 2026 issue.
ELIGIBILITY:
- A nominee can be from a Class I, II or III freight carrier; a switching and terminal railroad; a regional/commuter, intercity, rapid transit or light rail passenger railway; a supplier, contractor or consultant; a trade association; or a government agency with jurisdiction over the industry (i.e., FRA, STB, FTA).
- Nominees must be part of the North American (U.S., Canada or Mexico) rail industry.
- Self-nominations will not be considered.
DEADLINE: Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 5 p.m. EST
Who were the top 10 picks of Railway Age subscribers in previous years? Read about them here:
- 2025: Readers’ Influential Leaders and Redefining Leadership
- 2024: Forward Focus
- 2023: Exemplary Executives
- 2022: Leadership Defined
- 2021 Railway Age Readers’ Influential Leaders
- 2020 Railway Age Readers’ Most Influential Leaders
Join Railway Age on March 10, 2026, for our “Next-Gen Freight Rail Conference” at the Union League Club of Chicago. Among the confirmed speakers are John Orr (NS; a Railway Age 2025 Influential Leader and the 2026 Railroader of the Year), Mark George (NS), Keith Creel (CPKC), Jim Vena (UP), Tracy Robinson (CN), Tom G. Williams (BNSF), and Patrick Fuchs and Michelle Schultz (STB).
