Claude Edward Elkins Jr.’s story isn’t about someone just born into success. He went from nothing to everything by working really hard, staying grounded, and always learning. Let’s see how he did it. We can see what his story teaches us about building something real over time.

So, Who Is Claude Edward Elkins Jr?

Basically, Claude Edward Elkins Jr. is a big shot at Norfolk Southern Corporation, where he’s the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.

But those fancy titles came later. He started out as a road brakeman, working on the railroad tracks. He climbed up step by step for years.

Claude Edward Elkins Jr’s story isn’t just about being a success. It’s about how knowing the job from the ground up, learning all the time, and being honest can make you a great leader.

His Early Years, Education, and Time in the Military

From Southwest Virginia

Claude Edward Elkins Jr. comes from Southwest Virginia. Growing up where railroads, factories, and people were all linked taught him the value of discipline and persistence. While the specifics of his family remain unclear, his upbringing shaped his character.

Time in the Military – Building a Base

Claude Edward Elkins Jr. was a Marine before trains were big.

We don’t know everything, but being a Marine taught him discipline and leadership. Those skills helped him later on.

School Days: English and Logistics

Most business execs major in business, but Elkins got his Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

Good communication skills helped him later when he needed to send clear messages, make deals, and have a plan.

Then, he got an MBA in Port & Maritime Economics from Old Dominion University. That gave him a strong background in shipping and trade.

He also has management certificates from Harvard Business School, UVA’s Darden School, and the University of Tennessee’s Supply Chain Institute.

Mixing English, business, and supply chain knowledge set him up to handle both customers and the nitty-gritty of how things run.

Starting at the Bottom on the Railway

What’s cool about Claude Edward Elkins Jr.’s story is that he didn’t start at the top. He knew the work firsthand. In ’88, fresh out of the Marines, he became a road brakeman at Norfolk Southern. It’s a hard job where you need to pay close attention to details.

He moved up from there. 

  • Conductor
  • Locomotive Engineer
  • Relief Yardmaster

Those first few years were key. Elkins got to know the railway biz by working on the tracks and in the yards. He saw the hazards of the job up close. It’s way different to learn the job than just planning it from an office.

That experience earned him respect from everyone he worked with. When he talked about operations, he knew his stuff because he had lived it.

Moving into Marketing And Commercial Leadership

After doing operations for years, Elkins made a big switch to commercial and marketing. It’s not easy to just jump into that. Knowing how the railroad works doesn’t automatically mean you’re good with customers or making deals. But for Elkins, his knowledge of operations helped him a lot.

For almost 20 years, he worked in intermodal marketing. He connected Norfolk Southern’s rail with shipping, trucking, and ports.

Then he got promoted again. 

In 2016, he became Group Vice President of Chemicals Marketing. He was in charge of shipping industrial chemicals and everything that goes with it.

In 2018, he became Vice President of Industrial Products. He handled shipping metals, construction materials, and other heavy stuff.

With each step, he learned more about the business side of things. He had to balance what customers wanted with prices, how the railroad worked, and the overall plan. Knowing operations gave him an edge when dealing with shippers. They cared about more than just price; they wanted things to be reliable.

Leading Norfolk Southern – His Role as an Executive

Claude Edward Elkins Jr. reached the top in December 2021. He became Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Norfolk Southern.

Now, he’s in charge of a ton of stuff, including. 

  • Intermodal, Automotive, and Industrial Products
  • Real Estate and Industrial Development
  • Short Line Marketing, Field Sales, and Customer Logistics

How Operations and Commercial Planning Work Together?

His job requires planning, working with customers, and leading different teams. He has to balance a lot: good service, costs, how much the railroad can handle, rules, and what the market wants.

He wants Norfolk Southern to stay competitive, deal with problems in the supply chain, adapt to changes in global trade, follow the rules, and be sustainable.

His Leadership Style

What’s cool about Claude Edward Elkins Jr. is how he leads. Here’s what people say about him:

1. He Gets It Because He’s Been There

Since he used to work on the rails, he knows what workers face. That helps him make decisions and push for changes.

2. Customers Come First

He wants the railroad to meet customer needs by being reliable and affordable.

3. Keep It Real

Elkins favors working solutions over just good ideas. He links the overall strategy to everyday reality.

4. Steady and Humble

He’s not a showoff. Folks say he’s reliable, true, and keeps his eye on the big image.

5. Always Learning

He keeps taking classes and getting certifications because he believes leaders should always be growing.

Getting Involved in the Industry and Community

Claude Edward Elkins Jr. doesn’t just focus on Norfolk Southern. He also helps out in the industry and the community. 

  • He’s the Vice Chair of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
  • He’s on the board of the East Lake Foundation, National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), and TTX Company.
  • He’s part of some marketing groups at Georgia State University and The Conference Board.

He believes leaders should give back to the world around them.

Challenges and Pressures

Every leader faces problems. Elkins has a tough job at a railroad company. 

  • The Supply Chain: Problems around the world put pressure on shipping.
  • Regulations: Railroads have a lot of rules to follow, including safety and environmental rules.
  • Competition: Trucks, ships, and new ways of shipping are always trying to take business away from railroads.
  • Spending Money vs. Making Money: Railroads need to invest in tracks and equipment, but that costs money.

Elkins hasn’t been involved in any scandals, but he has to be careful, listen to people’s concerns, and lead in a steady way.

What We Can Learn from Claude Edward Elkins Jr.

So, what can we learn from Claude Edward Elkins Jr.’s story?

  • Start Where You Are: If you work hard and do a good job, you can move up.
  • Don’t Skip Steps: His experience in operations made him a better executive.
  • Connect People: Elkins connects operations and strategy, teams and customers, and problems with solutions.
  • Keep Learning: Even after years in the industry, he keeps learning.
  • Leadership Means Giving Back: Claude helps people in his community. 

Final Thoughts

Claude Edward Elkins Jr.’s life shows that real leaders earn their spot. He learned from experience, and it shaped him.

His life proves that hard work and curiosity pay off. Be good at your job, stay humble, lead with kindness, and keep learning.