Reactions to the death of former Amtrak president and CEO Joe Boardman continue to come in from across government and the transportation world. Here are some additional thoughts on Boardman’s passing:
From Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Ronald Batory, via the FRA’s Facebook page:
“I’m saddened to hear of Joseph Boardman’s passing. He was a personal friend, a highly regarded public servant, and well respected among the FRA staff. We at FRA and the Department of Transportation extend our deepest sympathies to Joe’s family.”
From Paul P. Skoutelas, president and CEO of APTA:
“The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) extends our condolences to the family and friends on the passing of Joe Boardman. He was an outstanding leader at the New York Department of Transportation, the Federal Railroad Administration and Amtrak, and his legacy of public service and improving rail transportation is a model for all of us.”
New York State Department of Transportation, via Twitter:
“It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Joseph H. Boardman, the longest-tenured NYSDOT commissioner. Joe had been dedicated to improving transportation. Our thoughts are with his wife Joanne and their three children.”
Former New York Gov. George E. Pataki, via Twitter:
“Joe Boardman was a wonderful man, a leader in his industry and a great commissioner for New York State who only cared about doing the right thing for the people he served. We are saddened by his sudden passing.”
Mike Elmendorf, president and CEO of the Associated General Contractors of New York State, and a former assistant to New York Gov. George E. Pataki, via Twitter:
“Very sad news about the passing of my friend, Joe Boardman. He was a great leader for [New York State DOT], FRA and Amtrak.More than that, he was a wonderful man and colleague. I learned much from him and always enjoyed our time together. Deepest condolences to his family.”
Michigan Department of Transportation Rail, via Twitter:
“Our thoughts go out to the family of Joe Boardman. We respected and appreciated working with him to improve rail passenger services in Michigan.”
Norfolk Southern, via Twitter:
“We would like to express our sincere condolences to the family of Joe Boardman, who passed away this morning. He was a fine railroader.”
— Updated at 9:30 a.m. CST with comment from FRA Administrator Ronald Batory.
Where is Don Phillip’s remembrance?He wrote it least 2 unflattering pieces about him
If he’d been an airline CEO, he would have received media coverage. Unfortunately, passenger railroading just doesn’t register that high in the public consciousness. What a shame.
Ms. Vinson, Boardman had a more comfortable and visible role as a former President than President of Amtrak. He walked a tightrope as an Obama-appointee (interim President under Bush 43 until getting the job permanently under Obama) in which labor was favored over the management team, a passenger renaissance was talked up while new equipment procurement was slow-rolled by spreading money to Illinois (home state for Amtrak’s Chairman and FRA Administrator) for locomotives and California for cars, and a company injury rate by 2015 was almost four times worse than the Class I freight railroads. It’s sad to think what Boardman’s presidency might have been.
That’s just the way it is Ms. Vinson, they don’t consider him important enough. Sad.
Now if he was a prominent part of the Washington three-ring circus, I won’t go into specifics, it’d be another matter.
None of the national news networks reported the death of ex-Amtrak CEO Joseph H Boardman. CBS Evening News did not cover it last night (Thursday 7 March 2019). Apparently, Mr Boardman’s demise is only major news in railway and transit circles.