Anacostia's Khatami, Perri complete post-graduate degrees

Anacostia Rail Holdings yesterday announced two of its executives are the latest among its key management leaders to hold post-graduate degrees.

Pacific Harbor Line (PHL) Vice President Stephane Perri has completed the management executive program at the University of California, Los Angeles; and Anacostia Senior Director of Business Development Kimia Khatami completed the executive master of science degree in transportation management at the University of Denver.

Both used Anacostia's education assistance program to complete their degrees, Anacostia officials said in a press release.

Perri was promoted to VP of PHL in January 2020. He began his railroad career with PHL in April 2000 as an assistant locomotive engineer, later qualifying as a locomotive engineer. In 2005, he transitioned into management at PHL. He worked his way up to senior director of transportation in 2016, and general superintendent in 2018. Along the way, he completed Michigan State University's railway management program.

In October 2021, Khatami was promoted to senior director of business development at Anacostia, where she oversees strategic commercial opportunities to grow markets served by ARH subsidiary railroads. She began her transportation career with Union Pacific Railroad. In 2015, she joined PHL as the sales and customer service manager, later becoming director of the department.

In 2019, Khatami was recognized by Progressive Railroading as one of the rail industry's Rising Stars.