Rising Stars 2023: Keith Fitzhugh

Keith Fitzhugh, 38
Vice president operations, south region
R.J. Corman Railroad Group

Nominator’s quote: “Keith has consistently displayed excellence in safety, leadership, management and strategic operations. Recently, he led and oversaw a startup team for a new site serving a location at one of the nation’s largest chemicals and energy companies. This new contract required coordinating and leading a multidisciplinary and cross-departmental team, staffing over 50 employees, training, scheduling and operational planning — all activities in which Keith excelled and succeeded.” — Raymond Goss, R.J. Corman Railroad Group

Education: Mississippi State University, bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies.

Job responsibilities: Overseeing 17 switching and railroad operations in the southern United States; negotiating contracts, acquiring new business opportunities, budgeting, leading, mentoring and educating.

Career path: Norfolk Southern Railway, seven years, conductor, terminal superintendent; Transdev, two years, general manager; Amtrak, one year, assistant superintendent; Road & Rail Services, two years, GM; R.J. Corman (current role), 20 months.

How did you get into the rail industry? I always had a love for and fascination with trains. So, after my NFL career ended, I took a leap of faith and applied at Norfolk Southern.

What is the best career advice you’ve received so far? The word we should always consider while working in the railroad industry is CARE. If we care, everything else will take care of itself.

What advice would you give to a new railroader? Learn something and retain something every day — you never know when you may have to utilize your experience.

What was your first job? Grocery store bagger.

Share a fun fact about yourself I played in the NFL with the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens.

If you could have dinner with anyone alive in the world, who would it be and why? My wife, because she is my world.

Who has had the biggest influence on your career and why? Mr. Terry Evans, former NS vice president. The strides and changes that Mr. Evans has made in the railroad industry, being a diverse senior leader for a Class I railroad, gave hope to people like me. Mr. Evans challenges you to think from a different perspective, but to always stay positive in effective decision-making.

Describe a major obstacle in your career and how you surmounted it. Earlier in my career, I realized that it's not always about individual effort, it’s about team effort. I had to revert and change my leadership style to have more of a team-oriented focus and not a one-person success story.