2019 – Present

As AAR’s President and CEO, which is a role he took on in 2019, Jefferies advocates for and works with member railroads to ensure the long-term viability of America’s railroad industry. Jefferies has more than a decade of experience working in government. From 2009 to 2013, he served as a Senior Policy Advisor to the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and from 2013-2019 he was AAR’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs.

1980 — Present

Rush serves as the industry’s liaison with regulatory bodies, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Homeland Security. Among other responsibilities, he oversees the rail industry’s interchange standards, homeland security plan and environmental protection and safety programs. Prior to his current position, he served as Associate General Counsel where he represented AAR in various regulatory agency and legislative activities, testifying at hearings and drafting comments, briefs and Congressional testimony.

2008 — Present

Gray conducts and supervises economic, financial, statistical and cost studies dealing with various aspects of the rail industry. Prior to joining AAR in 2008, Gray held commercial, operating, strategic and management positions at Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, Burlington Northern Railroad, ARCO-Alaska and the Alaska Railroad. Gray also served in a faculty position at the University of Alaska. A veteran of the United States Army, he served as a commissioned officer and was based in Germany for four years.

2009 — Present

Smith is responsible for enhancing freight rail’s reputation and cultivating a favorable policy environment in support of industry initiatives. With more than 20 years of communications experience, Smith has overseen the creation of numerous award-winning campaigns, including AAR’s decade-long “Freight Rail Works” paid advertising campaign and Operation Lifesaver’s “See Tracks? Think Train.” safety PSA campaign.

2012 — Present

Prior to joining AAR, Marsh directed financial and treasury activities at the National Capital Reciprocal Insurance Company. In this role, Marsh also handled issues related to corporate governance, finance and accounting, policyholder services and loss reserve analysis and related matters of the professional liability insurance company.

2015 — Present

Kirmayer began her work with the AAR in January 2015 as General Counsel. Prior to AAR, Kirmayer practiced with an AmLaw 100 law firm for 25 years. Her practice focused on complex business litigation and arbitration, with specific expertise in antitrust, contract and business torts. During her tenure, she also served as chair of the firm’s litigation group and as Vice Chair of the firm’s Finance Committee.

2018- Present

Arnakis is responsible for leading the rail industry’s government affairs and advocacy efforts in Washington. Prior to joining AAR in 2018, Arnakis served for more than 13 years in the United States Senate where she established herself as a policy leader and trusted advisor on transportation and infrastructure issues.

2006 — Present

West has 25 years of experience in information technology and business management with leading companies in the transportation sector. Prior to joining Railinc, he was director of information technology for Sea-Land Service Inc., a subsidiary of CSX Inc. There he led technology teams in developing applications and business solutions for Sea-Land’s global operations. He has also held key leadership positions within Tenneco, Inc. and Norfolk Southern Corp.