Former CSX exec Kendall joins FRA as deputy administrator

Quintin Kendall is the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) new deputy administrator, the agency confirmed this week.

At the FRA, Kendall is responsible for providing executive leadership and guidance on policy, budget, administration, regulation implementation, communications, and stakeholder and government relations, according to his biography on the FRA’s website.

His prior experience includes a stint at the U.S. Department of Transportation, where he served as deputy assistant secretary for management and budget form 2005 to 2008 under Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, and as chief of staff to Secretary Mary Peters from 2008 to 2009.

Most recently, Kendall was CSX's vice president of state government and community affairs from 2013 to 2018. He led the Class I's systemwide grade crossing safety team and managed the "Play It Safe" rail safety public awareness campaign. Kendall also managed the TellCSX Service Center, a consumer "hotline" open to the general public to report railroad issues such as blocked crossings.

In addition, he regularly engaged with state and local governments to improve passenger-rail service and develop rail-served economic development projects.