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Just wanted to add on about Amtrak’s new prez, as the earlier discussion thread turned into a monologue about who reads paper newspapers in 2006...
Alexander Kummant will be installed as Amtrak’s new President and CEO Sept. 12 He was a regional VP w/Union Pacific. Most recently he worked as a marketing officer w/Komatsu America Corp.
One of his Masters’ degrees is from Stanford, a top university best-known for producing NY Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina. Kummant is an engineer by education (not a locomotive engineer, a mechanical engineer).
Kummant worked on a track gang once.
"It's good they finally appointed someone, but given this administration's record on Amtrak, we need to know whether he was brought in to build up Amtrak or tear it down?" said Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.). "We await what he'll have to say about Amtrak's future."
Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, (D-N.J.), said the Amtrak board "has exercised questionable judgment in the past, so I am obviously concerned about their choice to run our nation's passenger rail system."
The Washington Times quoted Amtrak Chairman David Laney: "There's no question that it would have been ideal to find somebody with his background and passenger-rail experience. There aren't that many players that fit that bill." Laney said current prez David Hughes is staying on, in a to-be-named position.
Interestingly, Kummant’s wife, Kathleen, worked for Santa Fe and the BNSF. We should learn more after Mr. Kummant assumes his Amtrak duties.
notelvis Member # 3071
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As one partially responsible for the hijacking of the previous thread, I apologize.
I too am skeptical of just what this new CEO is bringing to the table. I so much want to believe that he will be good for a national rail passenger system but there is hardly any evidence yet to suggest that he is anything more than an administration 'yes man' as was Norman Minetta.
Tanner929 Member # 3720
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When u stated some senators just say the usual senators. Shummer couldn't find Grand Central much less have a alternate candidate much less how he would run amtrak. He will get in front of a camera to announce he's against "fill in the blank" oh and good too see Frank Lautenberg is still breathing at least he and Sen Byrd remember Steam locomotives.
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