Through an online poll, Railway Age subscribers nominated a large group of active (non-retired) individuals from the North American freight, switching/terminal and passenger railroad; rail transit; government agency; and supplier communities.
Following are the top 15 individuals who readers believe to be most influential in 2026 and who embody an entrepreneurial spirit anchored in a commitment to service, safety and sustainability. Profiles will appear in Railway Age’s May 2026 issue. Congratulations, all!
Honorees
(in alphabetical order)
- Farrukh Bezar, Senior Operating Partner, Littlejohn & Company
- Michelle Bouchard, Executive Director, Caltrain
- Justin Broyles, President and CEO, R. J. Corman Railroad Group, LLC
- Brian Cornick, President and CEO, Cando Rail & Terminals
- Janet Drysdale, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, CN
- John Fleps, Vice President and Chief Safety Officer, Norfolk Southern
- Michael Keroullé, President and CEO, Alstom Americas
- Kendall Koff, CEO, RailPros
- Zane Peterson, Vice President, Global Sourcing, The Greenbrier Companies
- Doug Ryhorchuk, Senior Vice President of Operations, CSX
- Kathleen Smith, Vice President, Industrial Products, Norfolk Southern
- Jeb Stotter, President and CEO, North Shore Railroad Company & Affiliates
- Daniel (Danny) Torres, Senior Vice President Network Operations, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC)
- Justin R. Vonashek, President, MTA Metro-North Railroad
- Tom G. Williams, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, BNSF Railway
Who were the top picks of Railway Age subscribers in previous years? Read about them here:
- 2025: Readers’ Influential Leaders and Redefining Leadership
- 2024: Forward Focus
- 2023: Exemplary Executives
- 2022: Leadership Defined
- 2021 Railway Age Readers’ Influential Leaders
- 2020 Railway Age Readers’ Most Influential Leaders
The post Railway Age Announces Readers’ Top 15 Most Influential Leaders appeared first on Railway Age.