Ever wondered how someone climbs from a modest start to high-level leadership? Meet Claude Edward Elkins Jr — a name worth knowing. In this blog, we’ll dive into his story, pull out lessons we can all use, and uncover what his journey tells us about growth, leadership, and purpose. If you’ve ever asked “How do I move forward in my career or life?”, his path offers some solid insights.
Who is Claude Edward Elkins Jr?
At a glance: Claude Edward Elkins Jr is the Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer of Norfolk Southern Corporation, one of the major U.S. rail freight companies.
His career is an example of perseverance — starting from hands-on operational work, then evolving into strategic leadership.
Here are a few key facts:
- He began his career as a road brakeman in 1988 for Norfolk Southern.
- He served in the U.S. Marine Corps prior to joining the railroad business.
- He earned a bachelor’s degree in English and later an MBA focused on Port & Maritime Economics.
- Over decades, he moved from rail operations into marketing and commercial leadership.
So when you google “Claude Edward Elkins Jr”, you’re really looking at someone whose story spans manual labour, military discipline, education, and boardroom strategy.
Early Life & Foundations
Growing up in southwest Virginia, Claude Edward Elkins Jr was shaped by a community where hard work and commitment were cornerstones.
His early years weren’t flashy — they were grounded.
What stands out:
- The military service with the Marines gave him a foundation in discipline, leadership and teamwork.
- The decision to study English (as his bachelor’s) shows a focus on communication and thinking — not just technical skills.
- Later, moving into an MBA with maritime economics shows he proactively built the business expertise that would set him apart.
Think of it like this: he built his base with strong bricks (discipline, communication, operations) before stacking the floors (marketing, strategy, leadership).
From Brakeman to Boardroom: His Career Path
One of the most compelling parts of his story is how he shifted roles and learned from different parts of the business. It’s a reminder: real growth often comes from stepping into roles you didn’t expect.
Key transitions:
- Operations phase: Starting as a road brakeman, then becoming conductor, locomotive engineer, and yardmaster. He didn’t skip the most foundational work.
- Marketing/Commercial shift: He spent around two decades in intermodal marketing — connecting rail, trucks, ports and customers.
- Executive leadership: In 2021, he took on the trusted role of EVP & CCO at Norfolk Southern.
Why this matters: When you understand the nuts & bolts of how something works, you can lead it better. Claude Edward Elkins Jr’s grounding in operations means he can speak the language of all levels — from trackside crews to executives.
What We Can Learn From His Style & Approach
I’ll pull out some of the leadership themes from his path and relate them to everyday situations. Because the journey of Claude Edward Elkins Jr isn’t just for rail-industry execs — it’s applicable to many of us.
1. Start with humility + ground-level experience
He didn’t begin in a management training program and jump into leadership. He worked the tracks. That gave him credibility and a real understanding of operations.
Takeaway: If you can, make sure you stay connected with the basics of the work in your field — it helps you lead and relate.
2. Mix education with practical experience
His bachelor’s in English might seem unrelated to railroads, but it’s huge: communication matters. Then his MBA gave him business depth.
Takeaway: Don’t underestimate soft skills (like communication) and don’t skip domain knowledge (industry, business fundamentals). Both are useful.
3. Build relationships with customers & teams
His move into intermodal marketing meant working across multiple stakeholders. He didn’t stay siloed.
Analogy: Think of a tree that has deep roots and many branches — the roots are your operational competence; the branches are your networks, influences, and reach.
4. Adaptability matters
Railroads today face big shifts: supply chain changes, alternative transport, digital disruption. His ability to lead commercial divisions means he can navigate that.
Takeaway: The industry or context might change — your ability to adapt helps ensure you don’t get left behind.
5. Give back and engage beyond your job
He’s served on boards and industry organizations.
Why this matters: Leadership isn’t just about making profit. It’s also about contributing to the ecosystem — your industry, community, peers.
Challenges Along the Way
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Claude Edward Elkins Jr — and realistically, things hardly ever are for any of us. A few challenges to note:
- Moving from track-side roles to strategic leadership means shifting mindset. What works in operations doesn’t always translate directly to strategy.
- The rail industry faces competition from trucks, shipping, global trade shifts, and regulatory pressures. Leading in this context demands flexibility and resilience.
- Bridging different stakeholder needs: employees, customers, regulators, investors — each with different expectations.
If you’re thinking about your own career path: expect transitions to be uncomfortable sometimes. Those are often growth moments.
Why His Story Matters Now
You might ask: “Okay, but why tell the story of Claude Edward Elkins Jr today?” Here are some reasons:
- Inspiration for career mobility: He reminds us that starting from the ground, you can climb.
- Relevance to modern leadership: His blend of operations + marketing + commercial acumen mirrors what many industries need now.
- Shift in mindset for younger professionals: Instead of expecting rapid promotion, his path shows steady growth — learning and adapting along the way.
- Industry relevance: The freight/transport/logistics world is changing. His role helps highlight how leadership needs to evolve too.
Personal Anecdote (from my own life)
Let me throw in a small story of my own to bring this home. Early in my career, I worked in a small business where I first dealt with customer complaints, then back-end operations, then helped shape marketing campaigns. I felt like I was “just doing the basics”. Then one day, I was asked to lead a small project team. Because I had done the ground-level work, I understood what the team was going through. I saw that secret of Claude Edward Elkins Jr’s story: those early experiences became strength when you entered leadership.
If I hadn’t gone through the basics, I’m not sure I would have felt confident managing the project. So for you reading this: value the “boring” groundwork. It’s often more relevant than it seems.
Applying His Lessons to Your Life
Let’s bring this closer to you, wherever you are in your journey. Here are some action points:
- Identify where you are: Are you doing operational tasks? Customer facing tasks? Strategic tasks? Take a moment and map your current role and the next step for you.
- Focus on transferable skills: Communication, relationships, adaptability — these move you from “doing work” to “leading work”.
- Seek roles that stretch you: Just like Claude Edward Elkins Jr moved from operations into marketing, find the “next tier” in your context.
- Stay connected to the basics: Even if you’re moving up, don’t lose touch with the nuts and bolts of your field.
- Engage beyond your job title: Volunteer for cross-team projects, industry meet-ups, community service. It expands your network and your horizon.
The Bigger Picture: Legacy & Leadership
When we study someone like Claude Edward Elkins Jr, it’s not just about “how to get ahead”. It’s also about what kind of leader you become along the way.
He demonstrates that leadership involves:
- Understanding people and process
- Being comfortable with both detail and strategy
- Serving both customers and communities
- Staying grounded in the work and ambitious in the vision
What’s your legacy going to be? It might start with the little things: how you deal with your team, how you treat a customer, how you respond when things go wrong. Leaders who are remembered don’t always have the biggest title — they often have the biggest impact.
Wrapping It Up
Let’s circle back to our key term: name dropping — “Claude Edward Elkins Jr”. Why mention him? Because his story is relevant and actionable.
He shows us:
- Starting small doesn’t mean staying small.
- Hands-on experience builds credibility for later leadership.
- Education combined with experience is powerful.
- Adaptability, communication, and service matter.
- Leadership isn’t just title—it’s how you engage with work and people.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “That’s me, I’m in the early phase”, remember: each step you take matters. If you’re further along and looking at the “next level”, his path shows how a shift in role or mindset can open up a new chapter.
So here’s your takeaway: Write your story with intention. The next time someone Googles “Claude Edward Elkins Jr”, they’ll see a story of growth, service, and leadership. And maybe one day someone’ll discover your name in the same light.
Final Thought
In a world where the fast-track is glorified, the journey of Claude Edward Elkins Jr reminds us that real progress often comes from persistence, learning, and aligning with values. Be patient. Be curious. Be willing to learn at every level. And when the time comes, lead with both heart and competence.
Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this, leave a comment below: What’s the one “ground-level” experience you’ve had that taught you the most? Let’s keep the conversation going!
