Under Amtrak leadership transition plans, President Roger Harris is due to leave the company on 31 July. Board Chair Tony Coscia confirmed the change in a statement. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Freedom250 NextGen Acela train enters spotlight
Photo: Amtrak. Freedom250 NextGen Acela train enters spotlight

Harris is leaving after a period in which, according to Amtrak’s update from Board Chair Tony Coscia, the US passenger rail operator reported record ridership and revenue.

Also, his tenure included progress on several infrastructure and service programmes. These included the NextGen Acela fleet, the launch of Mardi Gras service and continued work on the Portal North Bridge project.

The announcement follows the 2025 resignation of former CEO Stephen Gardner. That move was intended to help Amtrak retain the confidence of the current administration.

Interim President To Lead During CEO Search

Byl Herrmann will become Interim President after Harris leaves. Meanwhile, the Board will carry out its search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer.

Herrmann has worked at Amtrak for 27 years. In addition, he has held senior responsibilities across legal affairs, human resources, labour relations and business operations.

In the statement, Coscia said Herrmann was well placed to guide the organisation through the transition. Separately, he said Herrmann would work with the Board and the executive leadership team. That work is intended to maintain continuity across the business and support employees.

Amtrak Priorities During The Transition

Amtrak said its immediate priorities would remain focused on safety and operational reliability. At the same time, the company said it would continue meeting its commitments to passengers, partners and the communities it serves.

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