News & Reviews News Wire Amtrak names new head of strategy and planning

Amtrak names new head of strategy and planning

By Trains Staff | November 27, 2024

Jennifer Mitchell joins company from FRA; previously played key role in Virginia rail expansion

Email Newsletter

Get the newest photos, videos, stories, and more from Trains.com brands. Sign-up for email today!

Head shot of woman standing in front of American flag
Jennifer Mitchell is joining Amtrak as executive vice president of strategy and planning. Federal Railroad Administration

WASHINGTON — Jennifer Mitchell has been appointed as Amtrak’s executive vice president of strategy and planning, the company announced Tuesday (Nov. 26).

Amtrak says Mitchell will be responsible for setting the company’s long-term strategic vision and managing planning, infrastructure access, state partner, network development, and host railroad duties. Her transportation career most recently includes serving as deputy administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration; before that, she was director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. In Virginia, she played a key role in expanding the state’s rail program. She will join the company on Dec. 2, succeeding the retiring Dennis Newman.

“Jennifer has tremendous experience in the railroad industry and private sector that will be instrumental as we continue to grow and expand intercity passenger rail during this time of unprecedented demand,” Amtrak President Roger Harris said in a press release. “She’s the right person to lead our planning and strategy as we work to double our ridership by attracting more riders, serving new communities, and transforming passenger rail.”

 

4 thoughts on “Amtrak names new head of strategy and planning

  1. Best wishes to Ms Mitchell on what sounds like a huge job. She will need funds in order to actually accomplish much, as well as social/political wherewithal at all levels of government and community. If this is done right, it could make a huge improvement in Amtrak.

  2. Congratulation Jennifer. Please help us grow Amtrak for all of America. I realize the NE corridor is the busiest portion of Amtrak and the infrastructure projects there receive the majority of funding. I understand that. The I 20 corridor between Dallas k, Congratulation Jennifer. Please help us grow Amtrak for all of America. I realize the NE corridor is the busiest portion of Amtrak and the infrastructure projects there receive the majority of funding. I”m hoping the I 20 corridor is carried through. A direct path from Atlanta to DFW can only create a logical extension of “The Crescent ” for carrying more passengers on Amtrak’s Network. Traffic on this portion of our transportation system in our great country is monstrous and sorely needed. The project has been fully vetted, we are simply waiting for the train.
    Good Luck
    Ricky Sypert
    Good Luck
    Ricky Sypert

    1. What a joke above. Sorry on the rough copy being posted…lol
      Atlanta to Dallas/FW is the portion I’m concerned with.

You must login to submit a comment