WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sept. 9, 2026 –The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today announced that Stacy R. Linden has been named Senior Vice President, Law and General Counsel. Linden brings nearly 30 years of experience advising organizations in highly regulated industries, including leadership roles at major trade associations such as the American Petroleum Institute (API) on litigation, regulatory policy, corporate governance, compliance and enterprise risk. 

“Stacy is a proven legal executive whose judgment, strategic perspective and deep experience navigating complex regulatory environments will be tremendous assets to AAR and its members,” said AAR President and CEO Ian Jefferies. “Her record of building high-performing teams and translating legal challenges into practical business strategies makes her exceptionally well suited to lead AAR’s legal function at a consequential time for freight railroads.” 

Linden brings extensive experience navigating complex legal, regulatory, compliance, and government-facing issues across a range of highly regulated industries, including technology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, energy, and environmental matters. Her practical, solutions-oriented work has spanned political law compliance, government ethics, regulatory transparency, and corporate and environmental law, giving her a broad perspective on how organizations respond to evolving policy and regulatory challenges while advancing their business objectives. Most recently, she served as Associate General Counsel at Meta, following senior legal and compliance leadership roles at biotechnology company AgNovos Bioscience and global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. Prior to that, she was a partner at Stoel Rives, advising clients on energy and environmental matters.  

Earlier in her career, Linden spent 12 years at the API, ultimately serving as Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. In that role, she led the organization’s legal and compliance team, directed major industry litigation, advised executive leadership and the board of directors, and supported API’s advocacy, safety and global business operations. 

“I am honored to join AAR and work alongside its talented team and member railroads,” Linden said. “Freight railroads are foundational to the American economy, and I look forward to helping the industry navigate an increasingly complex legal and regulatory landscape while advancing a modernized regulatory framework that supports safety, innovation and long-term growth and allows freight rail to flourish for generations to come.” 

Linden began her legal career in private practice at leading international law firms, including Jones Day, Cadwalader, and Hogan Lovells. She also clerked for Judge Glenn T. Harrell Jr. of the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. 

Linden earned her law degree summa cum laude from American University’s Washington College of Law and her bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from The Catholic University of America. She is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as before the U.S. Supreme Court and several federal courts. 

Beyond her legal practice, Linden is a founding member and former executive member of the Women’s Energy Network’s Washington, D.C. chapter. She serves on the Investment Committee of the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law as well as the Dean’s Advisory Council at American University’s Washington College of Law. She also mentors aspiring attorneys, supports her local school community and is a happily retired coach of youth soccer and basketball in the D.C. area. 

###