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September 2013
Principal Officer of Corporate Strategy Amtrak
Joshua Raymond plays a major role in executing Amtrak's five-year strategic plan, which was unveiled in 2011. He also drove the process to draft the plan, which calls for restructuring the national intercity passenger railroad into six business lines, all with a customer-focused approach.
It's a vision that Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Boardman believes will lead to better financial performance and customer service. Boardman also believes Raymond deserves credit for getting Amtrak's long-term strategy on track.
"Josh has played an instrumental role as a thinker and a strategist in defining what the Amtrak of the future will strive to be," says Boardman, who nominated Raymond as a Rising Star.
Raymond spent his early career in marketing and public relations for consumer-product companies in his hometown of Nashville. The son, grandson and nephew of men who worked for GM and Chrysler, Raymond had never ridden a train until he moved to Washington, D.C., and went to work for Amtrak.
He draws inspiration from leaders who come up with big ideas, develop successful businesses and create workplace cultures of high performance.
"I want to help other people be successful," says Raymond. "In doing that, you position yourself as being a leader because people respect that and see value in what you do."
Among Raymond's heroes?
"My dad. He was very successful in his career, but never let that get in the way of being a great dad."
An interesting fact?
"People see me as very analytical and process oriented, but I have an artistic side. I play guitar and do artwork, typically pencil or charcoal sketches."
His favorite pastime?
"Most free time is spent with my wife and our daughter, who was born in November. We're always outside at the park, reading books, playing baby stuff — that's what I enjoy doing."
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