Riley assumes the role of RSI President upon the retirement of Patty Long, who has served in that role for the past three years. RSI is managed by Smithbucklin, a professional services company serving non-profits and industry associations.
With more than 20 years of leadership and advocacy experience within the trade association sector, Riley is “poised to steer RSI into the future, drawing on his extensive expertise in strategic growth and government affairs to drive success,” according to the association.
Before joining RSI, Riley served as Interim President & CEO at the National Waste & Recycling Association, where he “led transformative changes to address issues impacting staff and member satisfaction, delivered improved productivity, and secured approval for critical budget realignments resulting in enhanced services and experiences.”
“The RSI board is pleased to welcome Jim Riley, a proven leader with an outstanding track record of driving meaningful results,” said Robert Oesch, Vice President of North American Commercial at Amsted Rail and Chair of the RSI Board of Directors. “Jim brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to excellence, making him the ideal leader to guide RSI into its next chapter.”
“With Jim as our new president, RSI is well-positioned to tackle future challenges and seize new opportunities for growth, collaboration, and impact,” said Jeff Lytle, President of CIT Rail who led the search effort for the position.
Riley’s career also includes a notable tenure as Senior Director of Government Affairs at the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, where he played a pivotal role in advancing industry advocacy efforts and building influential coalitions to support key legislative and regulatory priorities.
Recognized for his contributions to the industry he served, Riley’s efforts have earned numerous accolades, including the American Society of Association Executives’ 2021 Summit Award for Advocacy and inclusion on The Hill’s Top Lobbyists list for six consecutive years (2019-2024). These recognitions, RSI says, “speak to his expertise in stakeholder engagement, government affairs, and industry advocacy.”
“Thank you to the RSI Board of Directors for the opportunity to lead this esteemed organization at such a pivotal time,” said Riley. “I’m excited to work with the board and the dedicated RSI staff team to advance RSI’s mission, ensuring we stay at the forefront of industry developments.”
