RSI President Simpson to retire, O'Malley named successor

Mike O'Malley, a former vice president of CSX, will become president of the Railway Supply Institute (RSI) on Feb. 1, 2018. He will succeed Tom Simpson, who is retiring.

O'Malley's career includes experience in the railroad industry, federal and state government, and international trade organizations. He joined CSX in 2007 as vice president, state government and community affairs, before being named vice president, procurement and supply chain management, in 2013.

From 2002 to 2007, O'Malley served the U.S. Department of Transportation as counselor to the undersecretary for policy, deputy assistant secretary for transportation policy, and most recently as chief of staff with the Federal Aviation Administration. He also has served stints at Shaw Pittman LLC, International Trade Services Corp., the Canadian Consulate General in Chicago and on the staff of Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar.

"Mike's rail industry background and deep expertise in public policy, government affairs, international trade, and global supply chains will advance RSI's mission to support, connect and advocate for railway suppliers," said RSI Chairman Jim Frantz in a press release.

Simpson will serve as a consultant to RSI during the leadership transition, Frantz added.

Simpson joined RSI in 1988 when the organization was known as the Railway Progress Institute. He was named executive director in 2003 and then RSI president in 2010. Prior to joining the the institute, Simpson worked for the Federal Railroad Administration.