Since 1934, AAR has been the leading voice for the U.S. freight rail industry, driving policy, research, and technology to enhance safety and efficiency. Freight rail is a cornerstone of the U.S. economy, powering industries, facilitating trade, and supporting some of America’s safest and highest paid jobs—all while operating on a privately funded infrastructure that eases congestion on taxpayer-funded roads. From bulk commodities to intermodal freight, rail ensures the seamless movement of goods nationwide, serving as a vital link in global supply chains.

  • Policy Making: 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.
  • Standard Setting: 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.
  • Industry Insights: Our expert economists prepare weekly, quarterly and annual statistical reports that provide insight into the operations of North America’s freight railroads. Learn more in the Data Center.
  • Research & Technology: 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.

 

AAR Leadership

Ian Jefferies

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.

Mike Rush

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 as Associate General Counsel, he represented AAR in various regulatory agency and legislative activities.

Kathryn D. Kirmayer

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.

Adrian Arnakis

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.

Paul Hedrick

SVP, Finance & Administration (2018-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.

Rand Ghayad

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.

Ted Greener

SVP, Communications (2025-Present)

Mr. Greener leads advocacy, media strategy, and coalition efforts on major policy issues. With nearly 20 years in public affairs, he has managed crisis response, labor talks, and climate initiatives, with work featured in outlets like The Wall Street Journal. Previously, he held leadership roles at DCI Group and Ogilvy Public Relations.

Allen West

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.

Kari L. Gonzales

MxV Rail President, (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 Members, Affiliates & Associates

  • 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.

Jobs

  • 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.
  • AAR Government Affairs Internship: AAR’s internship program provides a rare opportunity for young up and comers to be part of the highly-respected team that helps lead the legislative interests of North America’s freight rail industry, with hands-on experience in professional writing, researching and policymaking. 

AAR Operations

Operational Resources

  • 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.