Introduction
We are pleased to present the complete biography of Commander Claude Edward Elkins Jr., a commander whose life to date is defined by determination, preparation, and capability in command. Here we discuss his early life and education, career and leadership experience as a commander—and present the complete history and background needed to understand how he has achieved modern-day fame.
Early Life and Foundations of Claude Edward Elkins Jr
Claude Edward Elkins Jr. (or “Ed Elkins,” with which he is most identified) emerged on rural south-western Virginia, to whose cultural environment he was a byproduct of the blue-collar, industrial, and railroading life. He carries the “Jr.” designation to his surname, a surname that informs us that he comes from a succession line of a family—an element with which is also an element of continuity, obligation, and heritage of the customs.
Before he ventured into business, he was with the United States Marine Corps—a tour of duty that taught him discipline, grit, high-stress leadership, and service-mindedness.
These formative years establish the foundation for a career based not on privilege or shortcut, but on substance as its foundation and true operating knowledge.
Education: Communication, Economics, Leadership
Claude Edward Elkins Jr persevered in his studies with flexibility that is the root of his later success. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from College at Wise, University of Virginia—a testament to a fellow who would pursue an industrial-operations career. The degree provided him with top-of-the-line communication, analysis, and concept-thought skills.
This was followed by graduate studies in an MBA in Port & Maritime Economics at Old Dominion University. This blend of economics/logistics and liberal arts made him a people comfortable manager and a complex systems operator.
As a complementary training accessory, he has completed management-certificate and executive development courses at the Harvard Business School, the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, and the University of Tennessee Supply Chain Institute.
Together, his training included communication, economic/logistics data, and leadership development—a combination unusual in service of his ascension to power.
Career Beginning: Educating the Railroad from Ground Zero
Claude Edward Elkins Jr was hired in 1988 by the payroll of Norfolk Southern Corporation, a top American freight-rail carrier. He began as a road brakeman, one of the most physically demanding and technologically most sophisticated rail operating jobs.
He then advanced through a series of operations: to work as a yardmaster, an engine driver, and lastly a relief yardmaster. These roles gave him first-hand exposure to train operation, yard operation, crew management, and implementation of logistics.
This street-level wisdom is particularly perceptive: managers tend to be built on career or corporate marketing rails, but Elkins built his business street smarts foundation from scratch. That foundation adds credibility and operating experience not necessarily at the top.
Commercial & Marketing Transition: Connecting Operations and Customers
After his experience in operations, Elkins shifted strategically to business’s commercial side. He labored for nearly two decades in intermodal marketing, constructing cargo transport on rail-truck-ship networks.
He became Vice President of Industrial Products in 2018, managing freight in metals, construction, forest products, and others.
These roles showcase his capacity to switch back and forth between commercial leadership and operations leadership—understanding what operations can deliver, what the customers will pay for it, and how to blend those two to generate growth.
Executive Leadership: Guiding Norfolk Southern
Claude Edward Elkins Jr became Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Norfolk Southern in December 2021.
Customer logistics
In his time, the company still transports more than 7 million carloads annually, connects a huge intermodal network, and drives key sustainability efforts.
His leadership is a blend of operating and strategic sophistication (appreciation for what rail operations are). That tension distinguishes him.
Leadership Style & Influence: What Makes Him Different
There are certain exceptional traits that distinguish Elkins’ leadership:
Empathy and honesty: Since he worked on the ground, he is aware of what difficulties crews face and can relate to operating staff—a resource any big industrial company would appreciate.
Customer-centric frame of mind: Based on his long experience in marketing, he looks at operations in customer value, logistics responsiveness, and supply-chain dynamic lenses.
Strategic adaptability: He has demonstrated the capacity to guide through industry disruption, supply-chain disruption globally, and changing regulatory landscapes.
Industry and community engagement: He serves on boards and councils such as the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, reflective of his growing engagement outside the firm.
Leadership more profit-focused, yet systems, people and networks which drive performance, strength and service differentiation.
Key Accomplishments: Milestones Marking the Way
From road brakeman (1988) to corporate officer (2021+) is measurement in itself of his career and potential.
Guiding Norfolk Southern’s massive commercial business portfolio, such as intermodal, industrial and automotive freight units.
Driving the company to be among the top freight networks in the eastern U.S., servicing over 54 inland, river, lake and sea ports.
Driving freight sustainability with the potential to eliminate millions of tons of carbon emissions by leveraging rail transport.
Equilar People
Active board service, industry leadership, and public advocacy on behalf of the manufacturing and logistics industries.
Challenges & Opportunities: Navigating a Complex Industry
The freight-rail business is a tough one: from competition with truck and marine modes, through economic cycles, regulatory restriction, infrastructure need, and international supply-chain disruption. Elkins’ leadership responds to:
- Providing high-quality service amidst fluctuating demand and manpower shortages.
- balancing innovation and technology at no cost to the fundamentals of railway operation.
- Maria writes aae ca dv srêylation without loss of profitability and expansion.
- balancing customer needs with capability.
His operating and commercial expertise are on hand to help overcome these challenges with capability and confidence.
Legacy and Lessons: What We Can Learn from His Story
Some lessons for the next generation of leaders are to be learned from Claude Edward Elkins Jr.’s experience:
Begin bottom-up: True familiarity with operations wins expertise and credibility—over board-room leadership.
Invest in learning and development: His executive-education course and learning are the centerpiece of his strategic thinking.
Link to operations and commercial thinking: Knowing how things get done and valuing customers produces integrative leadership.
Lead with values: His story depicts service, resilience, and integrity in constructing enduring leadership.
Reach out beyond your organization: Board seats and volunteering expand one’s reach and create networks.
Claude’s story is an ageless teaching that reaching up is not cutting corners—it’s difficult work, conscious change, and integrity.
Conclusion
In keeping his own life relatively modest, public records reveal the flesh-and-blood realities of the executive: humility, dedication, adaptability, and allegiance to public service. His southwest Virginia origins, military career, operating background, and corporate ascent all blend together a career that is at once inspirational and informative. Peers describe him as the unstuffy, down-home kind of fellow who arrives blue-collar working and with an intimate familiarity of rail operations in and out.
