In memoriam: Rail industry leader Nathan Henderson

Nathan Henderson, who served the Class I, contracting and supply segments of the industry during his 20-year rail career, died April 18 from an apparent heart attack. He was 43.

From 1998 through 2011, Henderson worked at CSX, rising to the position of division manager before joining R. J. Corman Railroad Group, where he spent the next six years. At R. J. Corman, he held a variety of senior executive positions, including president of R. J. Corman Railroad Services Co.; and chief commercial officer, vice president of material sales, and VP of sales and marketing of R. J. Corman Railroad Group.

"Nate was legendarily well connected and well loved," said Chuck Baker, president of the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) in an April 19 message to the NRC board, of which Henderson was a member. "He was a truly fun person. Nate was big-hearted, motivated and ambitious, funny, great with people, always up for adventure and smart. He had boundless energy."

At 2017's end, Henderson left R. J. Corman to serve as managing partner and chief operating officer of North American Rail Partners; and executive VP of Midwest Pacific Rail Net & Logistics. He also founded Henderson Rail Services.

In addition to serving on the NRC board, Henderson was a member of the Association of American Railroads' Associate Advisory Board. 

Henderson is survived by his wife, Amy, and three children. 

"He loved his family, [the University of] Kentucky’s Big Blue Nation, this industry and his friends ... and the world loved him in return," Baker said.

Henderson's friends at R. J. Corman have established The Nathan Henderson Family Memorial Fund. For more information, visit: https://rj-corman.snwbll.com/giving-portal