Batory to Serve MSU’s Center for Railway Research and Education
Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
According to CRRE, Ronald L. Batory will "help fulfill the vision" of the center’s benefactor Ed Burkhardt.
Michigan State University’s (MSU) Center for Railway Research and Education (CRRE) announced July 20 that former Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator Hon. Ronald L. Batory will provide the center with “leadership, vision, strategy and direction to its programming.”
In this role, Batory will “help fulfill the vision” of the center’s benefactor Ed Burkhardt, whose generous gift established the Burkhardt Professor in Railway Management, a key component of the center’s mission to bring “innovative leadership and new thinking to the industry,” according to CRRE.
Batory’s experience spans more than 52 years in the railway industry fulfilling an array of leadership and advisory capacities in both private and public sectors, “thus bringing extensive expertise and knowledge of the full breadth of North American railways to this role,” according to CRRE, which is housed in MSU’s Broad College of Business.
Batory spent the first 23 years of his career working for both eastern and western Class I railroads, in addition to serving along with court appointed Trustee’s successful oversight of a regional railroad bankruptcy.
In 1994, Batory was appointed President of The Belt Railway Company of Chicago, a multiple owned subsidiary of then nine competing Class I carriers. His leadership success of serving their needs in Chicago Gateway led to CSX and Norfolk Southern (NS) later recruiting him to Consolidated Rail Corporation (CRC) (now Conrail) in preparation of their Surface Transportation Board (STB) approved partitioning of the eastern carrier and establishing what is now commonly known as the Shared Assets Areas.
Accomplishment of that unique task in providing a plane of equality for joint competition, CRRE says, later favored him in being appointed to his last position of President and COO for the entire corporate entity. Upon his retirement in 2017 he pursued public service in Washington, D.C., which resulted in a Presidential nomination and unanimous consent by the U.S. Senate to become the 14th Administrator of the FRA.
“The CRRE is delighted to welcome Batory in this capacity, renewing his relationship with MSU,” the center stated in a release. Batory was once a member of the center’s advisory group establishing the Railway Management Certificate Program in 2007. Since then, CRRE says hundreds of continuing education participants from all parts of the North American railway industry and selected areas around the world have completed the program and enhanced their knowledge and career opportunities.
Batory is a graduate of Adrian College, Adrian, Michigan, with a B.A. degree along with an M.A. degree from Eastern Michigan University. He continues to serve on various governing and advisory boards associated within the sectors of both industry and education.
“I’m both humbled and honored to serve the Center for Railway Research and Education,” said Batory. “Contributing through an academic venue is a unique opportunity to collaborate with growing rail transportation talent and passion residing in our logistics system.”
“I look forward to Ron’s experience and knowledge as the center develops new and improved educational programs,” said CRRE Director and Railway Age’s 25 Under 40 program judge Nick Little. “Expanding the center’s relationships with key rail industry leaders will provide students and staff with valuable information and opportunities.”
