The Association of American Railroads helps keep it that way. Founded in 1934, AAR is the world’s leading railroad policy, research, standard setting and technology organization that focuses on the safety and productivity of the U.S. freight rail industry.
AAR full members include the six Class I freight railroads in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as Amtrak. Affiliates and Associates include non-Class I and commuter railroads, rail supply companies, engineering firms, signal and communications firms and railcar owners.
Working with elected officials and leaders in Washington, DC, we advance sound public policy that supports the interests of the freight rail industry, ensuring they continue to meet America’s transportation needs today and tomorrow.
As the standard-setting organization for North America’s railroads, we establish safety, security and operating standards that provide seamless and safe operations across America’s nearly 140,000-mile freight rail network.
Our expert economists prepare weekly, quarterly and annual statistical reports that provide insight into the operations of North America’s freight railroads, which members can access through our publications catalog.
Through its two subsidiaries, Railinc and MxV Rail, AAR supports continued research and development projects that enhance the safety, security and efficiency of the railroad industry.
PRESIDENT & CEO (2019-Present)
Ian Jefferies advocates for and works with member railroads to ensure the long-term viability of America’s railroad industry. Mr. Jefferies also has more than a decade of experience working in government. From 2009 to 2013, he served as a Senior Policy Advisor to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Chairman. Ian previously led the AAR Government Affairs team for five years.
SVP, SAFETY & OPERATIONS (1980 — Present)
Mike Rush is the industry’s liaison with regulatory bodies, including the DOT, EPA and DHS. Among other responsibilities, Mr. Rush oversees the rail industry’s interchange standards, homeland security plan and environmental protection and safety programs. Previously serving s Associate General Counsel, he represented AAR in various regulatory agency and legislative activities.
SVP, COMMUNICATIONS (2009-Present)
Kristin Smith enhances freight rail’s reputation and cultivates a favorable policy environment in support of industry initiatives. With more than 25 years of communications experience, Mrs. Smith has overseen the creation of numerous award-winning campaigns, including AAR’s 15-year-long “Freight Rail Works” paid advertising campaign and Operation Lifesaver’s “See Tracks? Think Train.” safety PSA campaign.
SVP, LAW & GENERAL COUNSEL (2015-Present)
Kathy Kirmayer began her work with AAR in January 2015, after 25 years in a major law firm. Together with the rest of the AAR Law Department, Ms. Kirmayer advocates industry positions before regulators and courts at all levels, and provides internal counsel to AAR and MxV Rail across the full spectrum of legal issues.
SVP, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS (2018 — Present)
Adrian Arnakis leads the rail industry’s government affairs and advocacy efforts in Washington. Before joining AAR, Mrs. Arnakis served for more than 13 years in the U.S. Senate, where she was a policy leader and trusted advisor on transportation and infrastructure issues.
SVP, FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION & CFO (2022-Present)
Paul Hedrick oversees AAR’s day-to-day financial and accounting functions and IT and property management. Mr. Hedrick joined AAR from the Endocrine Society, where he served as Chief Financial Officer. He led the organization’s strategic, capital budget, and information technology planning processes.
SVP, POLICY & ECONOMICS (2024-Present)
Dr. Ghayad, former Head of Economics at LinkedIn, conducted groundbreaking research on labor markets and advised on international economic policy at the IMF. At the Brattle Group, he collaborated on financial investigations and litigation analyses. He is a global fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center and adjunct faculty at Harvard University.
RAILINC PRESIDENT & CEO (2006 — Present)
With 25 years of experience in IT and business management in the transportation sector, Allen West previously directed IT at Sea-Land Service Inc., a CSX Inc. subsidiary. He has also held leadership positions at Tenneco, Inc. and Norfolk Southern Corp.
MXV RAIL PRESIDENT & CEO (2021-Present)
Kari Gonzales leads a team focused on industry research and testing. Starting as a mechanical engineer, she implemented wayside technology at BNSF to enhance safety and efficiency. With expertise in engineering and operations, Gonzales elevates MxV Rail as a top provider of rail services.
AAR’s Full Membership is available to Class I railroads organized under the laws of the United States; other railroads may be admitted as full members with AAR Board approval. For railroads meeting a certain revenue threshold, full membership might also include a rotating seat on the AAR Board of Directors. Full membership dues are based on revenue.
AAR’s Railroad Affiliate Program is available to non-Class I railroads, commuter railroads and railroads located outside of North America. As a railroad affiliate, you have a voice in the operations and the future of the freight and passenger rail industry. With public interest in rail transportation at an all-time high, both freight and passenger carriers will benefit from this program. AAR’s affiliates are led by the Affiliate Executive Board (AEB). The AEB selects affiliate representatives to serve as voting members of select committees reporting to AAR’s Safety and Operations Management Committee.
AAR’s Associate Program is for every business that depends on the continued strength of America’s freight and passenger railroads. Through the Associate Advisory Board (AAB), all associates enjoy a formal structure for the representation of their views within AAR — one that enables them to contribute their input and expertise to operational decisions. All associates vote for members of the advisory board.
Railroad Jobs: America’s freight railroad companies provide some of the safest and highest-paying jobs in the nation. Below are links to job openings at Amtrak and the Class I railroads.
AAR Jobs: Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AAR is a 501(c)(6) trade association representing major freight railroads across North America, including Amtrak. Our comprehensive benefits package features competitive pay, health, dental, and life insurance, along with vacation, sick, and holiday leave. Additional benefits include tuition assistance, a 401(k), employee wellness program, and participation in railroad retirement. Explore Openings.
MxV Rail Jobs: A leading rail research and testing facility, MxV Rail focuses on enhancing safety and efficiency for freight railroads worldwide. Based in Pueblo, Colorado, it operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of AAR. Explore Openings.
Railinc: Headquartered in Cary, N.C., Railinc is a top provider of IT, network operations, and financial services to North America’s freight railroads. Renowned for its role in facilitating the movement of valuable freight, Railinc has been recognized as one of Triangle Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work” in the Research Triangle area. Explore Openings.
AAR Bureau of Explosives (BOE): Provides guidelines for tank cars, best practices for shippers, the Tarriff No. BOE-6000 and more.
AAR Tank Car Committee (TCC): Helps ensure safe hazmat movements through technical design review and industry-wide interchange standard setting.
AAR North American Non-Accident Release Reduction Program (NAR): Captures and maintains data on non-accident releases in the U.S. and Canada, urging industry action to address their causes.
AAR Circulars: Issued monthly, they offer crucial administrative and technical details such as industry ballots, arbitration outcomes, rule revisions, early warnings, and maintenance advisories, provided by MxV Rail, an AAR subsidiary. Contact Publications@aar.com for details.
AAR Industry Standards: MxV Rail manages and distributes AAR publications covering technical standards and quality assurance, mechanical inspection, AAR Interchange Rules, intermodal loading capabilities and the results of MxV Rail research.
AAR Embargo and Open & Prepay Station List (OPSL): AAR Embargoes and OPSL Notes serve as a temporary method for controlling traffic when the serving railroad perceives congestion or any other operational or physical impairment that warrants restrictions.
AAR Radio Frequency Coordination: MxV Rail aids railroads in complying with FCC mandates for narrowband radio frequency migrations, safeguarding technical and regulatory integrity through advanced software.
Intermodal Freight Form Js: Required under AAR Intermodal Interchange Rule 121, Form J-1 provides container/trailer details, shipping information, drayage contractor, interchange time, and unit damage. Form J-2 supplements J-1 to record any loss or damage attributed to the handling carrier.
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): CFR is the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal government. It is divided into 50 titles that represent broad areas subject to Federal regulation. Title 49 of CFR covers transportation.
U.S. Code: The U.S. Code is the codification by subject matter of the general and permanent laws of the United States. It is divided by broad subjects into 50 titles and published by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Title 45 of the U.S. Code covers railroads, and Title 49 covers transportation.
Worklife Expectancies of Railroad Workers: This monograph describes years of activity in railroad work by utilizing data from the Railroad Retirement Board’s Twenty-fifth Actuarial Valuation (2012). It can be utilized to address questions related to the average number of expected additional years in labor market activities of railroad employees.
Freight rail operates under rigorous regulations overseen by the Surface Transportation Board (STB), an independent federal adjudicatory board. Additionally, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), a branch of the U.S. Department of Transportation, enforces safety standards. It’s imperative for railroads to implement effective policies to sustain their investments in personnel, infrastructure, equipment, and technology, thus ensuring safe, efficient operations vital to modern American life and global competitiveness.
The American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association: Represents about 600 owners and operators of short line and regional railroads throughout North America.
GoRail: Works with thousands of community leaders across the country to tell the local story of freight rail — stronger economies, more jobs and cleaner skies.
League of Railway Women (LRIW): Professional association that advances the representation, recognition, and opportunities for women in the railroad industry.
MxV Rail: Wholly-owned subsidiary of the AAR and the railroad industry’s world-class rail research and testing facility that works to improve the safety and efficiency of freight railroads throughout North America and the world.
Operation Lifesaver, Inc.: Nonprofit public safety education and awareness organization dedicated to increasing driver and pedestrian safety at grade crossings.
Railinc: Wholly-owned subsidiary of the AAR and the leading provider of IT, related network operations and financial services and near rail-time network data to North America’s railroads.
A Private Network: Railroads privately invest well about $23 billion a year to maintain and modernize the nation’s nearly 140,000-mile rail network.
Employee Driven: Freight rail employees are among the highest paid workers in the nation. In 2022, Class I freight rail employees earned an average of $143,000 in wages and benefits.
Future Focused: Railroads use technologies like ultrasound and drones to inspect infrastructure and equipment with greater precision and frequency.
Safe: Freight rail is the safest way to move goods over land, with more than 99.9% of all hazmat moved by rail reaching its destination without a release caused by a train accident.
Sustainable: As the most fuel-efficient way to move freight over land, railroads, on average, move one ton of freight nearly 500 miles per gallon of fuel.
Trade Connector: Railroads allow U.S. industries to compete abroad while providing consumers access to a greater variety of goods.
Adrian Arnakis, SVP
202-639-2539
aarnakis@aar.org
Melissa Connolly, AVP
202-639-2533
mconnolly@aar.org
John Glaser, Manager
202-639-2527
jglaser@aar.org
Patrick Marshall, Manager
202-639-2535
pmarshall@aar.org
Devon Lidz, Congressional Affairs & PAC Manager
202-639-2535
dlidz@aar.org