For OneRail, Executive Leadership Changes

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Anne Canby (left) is stepping down as OneRail Coalition’s Director; Deputy Director Devon Barnhart (center) will take over the lead role; and Liz Hill is joining OneRail to become Deputy.

Anne Canby (left) is stepping down as OneRail Coalition’s Director; Deputy Director Devon Barnhart (center) will take over the lead role; and Liz Hill is joining OneRail to become Deputy.

Anne Canby is stepping down from the OneRail Coalition, after leading the organization since its launch in 2009.

Deputy Director Devon Barnhart will succeed Canby as Director, and Liz Hill is joining OneRail to take on the deputy role.

OneRail Board Chair and American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association President Chuck Baker

“Over the years, [Canby] brought together a wide variety of stakeholders in support of a robust U.S. freight and passenger industry, while continually expanding and strengthening the coalition,” OneRail Board Chair and American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) President Chuck Baker said during the June 17 announcement.

“Her expertise in transportation policy; practical experience in managing significant transportation systems; deep connections with industry as well as local, state and federal government; and perhaps most importantly, her relentless optimism and drive for improvements to the nation’s transportation system have been tremendous assets to OneRail and our mission. We are beyond grateful for her excellent stewardship.”

Barnhart, a lawyer and civil engineer focused on transportation policy, joined OneRail in 2019, following service as Subcommittee Staff Director for the Transportation and Safety Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee. She was previously Director of Government Affairs and Outreach for Smart Growth America.

Hill served most recently as Staff Director for the Rail, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I). Previously, she split her time between working for Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Org.), current T&I Committee Chair, as Director of Pacific Northwest Policy and professional staff for the Rail Subcommittee. Prior to the T&I Committee, Hill was a legislative assistant for Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), handling policy issues including appropriations, transportation and commerce.

Barnhart’s and Hill’s “combined knowledge of rail issues and policymaking, and credibility with key stakeholders and policymakers will continue to move the OneRail Coalition forward,” Baker said.

FRA Acting Administrator Amit Bose

Amit Bose, Acting Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), stated: “On behalf of the FRA, I congratulate Anne on the occasion of her stepping down from OneRail and extend our appreciation for her long and distinguished career, making numerous lasting contributions to the rail sector. Throughout her career, and most recently as founder of OneRail, Anne has laid the foundation for a second rail revolution. We, the Biden-Harris Administration, plan to honor her by delivering on that vision. Anne’s knowledge and dedication are truly remarkable, and serve as an example to others. She has been a mentor to many of us in transportation, and we wish her the best.”

“Over the years, OneRail has established itself as a credible resource for rail policy,” Canby said. “We have helped to raise the profile of rail’s many benefits through a variety of activities and brought the various segments of the rail industry together for the first time. It has been wonderful getting know and work with people from all segments of the industry. Under Devon’s and Liz’s leadership, OneRail will have the right team at the right time to do even more to raise awareness of the many economic, environmental, and safety benefits of freight and passenger rail and to advocate for policies that support the rail industry and the good paying jobs it provides.”

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