A love of trains leads to a new career
Todd Pollard
Assistant to the Vice President, Transportation
Norfolk Southern
Norfolk, VA
4 years in the industry
24 years in the military
Base: Naval Air Station, Oceana, VA
Ask Todd Pollard about similarities between freight rail and the military and his list is long: safety, reliability, punctuality, teamwork, diversity and getting the job done. All his life Pollard has loved trains—being around them, riding and watching them—so after retiring from a distinguished, 24-year navy career as an F-14 Tomcat pilot, it seemed natural that Pollard would follow his heart into his lifetime passion. His wife, Laura, couldn’t agree more. She did not want him working for a major airline, so given the choice among three possible careers he'd researched—policeman, professional pool player or freight rail—the choice was easy.
It was a win for Pollard and for Norfolk Southern (NS). Joining NS as a conductor trainee in 2007, Pollard loved the gritty, hands-on work of his early freight rail career. “I'm an operational guy by nature,” he says, “and I like operational challenges. I like things that move, so I still try to get out on train rides as often as I can, two or three times monthly.” Pollard says 'still' because since January 2011 he's been with the NS corporate office, assisting the vice president of transportation. In that role, Pollard is responsible for identifying problem areas and suggesting possible improvements. Pollard thinks it's critical that the industry, and its technology, keep pace with a rapidly evolving 21st century workplace. “I generate ideas and propose solutions,” he says. “I bring a fresh perspective into a time-tested industry and am proud of being able to connect the operational and corporate worlds.”
Along with the benefits of good pay, growth opportunities and healthy retirement plans, Pollard is happy that working in NS’ headquarters city means that—at least for now—he and Laura can stay in the Virginia Beach, VA, home they share with their black Lab and loquacious African Grey parrot. “We move people's stuff on real trains in the real world,” he says. “We provide a service the country needs in order to have a fantastic future.”