Rising Stars 2024: Ian Hollingsworth

Ian Hollingsworth, 37
Senior Counsel
CSX

Nominator’s quote: “[Ian] is known for his approach to problem-solving, collaborating across teams and building relationships and forums for knowledge- sharing across the industry. Ian has facilitated key collaboration among freight and passenger railroads in safety and training, two highly important topics in our industry.” — Kia Warren, CSX

Education: Bachelor's degree in political science and MBA from West Virginia University; J.D. from Florida Coastal School of Law.

Job responsibilities: Negotiate, review and revise contractual agreements in support of the CSX procurement department, which supports all CSX departments in purchasing goods and services for the company and its employees. Also manages CSX’s trademark portfolio and supports CSX’s corporate communications department in its community affairs initiatives.

Career path: My career path is nontraditional but one where I have tried to make the most from my experiences. I am a first-generation college student and the first in my direct family to graduate law school. During law school, I got the opportunity to intern at CSX as a law clerk. After graduating and passing the Florida bar exam in 2013, the company hired me as a staff attorney.

Since my hire, I’ve had the opportunity to work on several different matters and cross-functional projects with different departments at CSX.

How did you end up in the rail industry? By chance, as my hire at CSX was my first job opportunity as a graduating third-year law school student.

What’s the best career advice that you’ve received so far? To learn the balance between when to listen and when to speak.

What advice would you share with someone just starting out in rail? There are many opportunities for career choice and advancement in the railroad industry. My advice is to find work or opportunities that you enjoy but also align with your core beliefs.

What was your first job? My first job(s) were mowing lawns, detailing cars, painting houses and any other odd jobs I could do as a kid growing up in my neighborhood. My first W-2 job was as a server/bartender at a restaurant while attending West Virginia University.

Share a fun fact about yourself. I grew up in West Virginia and am an avid West Virginia University Mountaineer fan. I was one of the managers for the men’s basketball team while attending WVU. I went through the NCAA Clearinghouse process and got to practice with the team.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Dave Chappelle. We share the same birthday and I feel a dinner conversation between us would bring laughter, insight and thought-provoking material.

Who has had the most influence on your career? I am fortunate to had several influential individuals in my life who took an interest in me and my career. Specifically, my mom and uncles back in West Virginia showed me the value of hard work through working labor jobs. My first bosses at CSX, Tom Anderson (retired) and Tammy Butler (currently VP of internal audit at CSX) were influential early in my career as they took me under their wings and made the time and effort necessary to foster a learning environment for me.

Describe a major obstacle in your career and how you surmounted it. A major obstacle in my career occurred when I first started full time with CSX. As a new attorney, I needed to earn the trust and confidence of my business partners. There were several instances in the beginning where people questioned my advice or analysis. Once I established myself as a supportive, knowledgeable and reliable business partner, I received more opportunities to work on cross-functional projects.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the rail industry today? Leveraging technology to drive growth in a fluctuating economic environment.