Long joined RSI as President in 2021 shortly after the association entered into a new management model as a client of Smithbucklin, based in Washington, DC. Since then, Long and the Smithbucklin team have supported RSI in “expanding its staff resources, enhancing its focus on advocacy, and more effectively supporting a wide range of technical committees to deliver on its mission to proactively advance safety, innovation, technology and sustainability within the rail industry.”
Under Long’s leadership, the association initiated a new passenger rail working group creating a much-need forum to address the unique challenges for rail suppliers in the transit and passenger space. As a testament to that leadership, Long was appointed in 2023 as a member of the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) newly formed Passenger Rail Advisory Committee (PRAC).
“By all measures, RSI has thrived during Patty’s tenure as president,” said RSI Board of Directors Chair Jeff Lytle, President of CIT Rail. “RSI is positioned for great potential as a result of Patty’s leadership. While we are sorry to see her leave, we are enormously happy for her. We appreciate Patty’s dedication, leadership and commitment to RSI and look forward to working with her throughout the remainder of her time with us.”
Long’s career of service in association management spans more than 25 years. Before joining RSI, Long served as interim CEO and Chief Operating Officer for Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS). Earlier in her career, Long worked as the Director of Communications with the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) and spent 18 years at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), rising to Vice President, Policy Research and Member Communications. She also taught ethics for more than a decade as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies.
The RSI Board of Directors and Smithbucklin are launching a search for a permanent replacement upon Long’s retirement. During the upcoming transition, the association says it is “committed to sustaining RSI’s current momentum.”
