WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has named Richard Erstad and James (Leggett) Kitchin to the board’s Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council, the board announced Friday.
Erstad, the vice president, general counsel, and secretary of Hawkins Inc., a chemical and ingredients company, joins the board representing small shippers. Kitchin, vice president for industrial products and coal at Norfolk Southern, represents large railroads.
“I am pleased that Richard and Leggett have agreed to join RSTAC and advise the board on matters of concern,” STB Chairman Martin Oberman said in a press release. “Both new members have extensive experience with operations in environments where commodities need to be delivered effectively and safely to meet the needs of the public. The other board members and I look forward to working with them both and expect that they will make a positive contribution to RSTAC as we all work to help ensure the rail network remains efficient and viable.”
The 15-member council, established by the ICC Termination act of 1995, advises the STB, the Secretary of Transportation, and Senate and House committees dealing with transportation on rail policy. It focuses on issues of significance to small shippers and small railroads, including railcar supply, rates, competition, and claim procedures. More information on the council is available here.
