Changing of the guard at RSI

Come Feb. 1, 2018, the Railway Supply Institute (RSI) will have new leadership, as President Tom Simpson, who has spent nearly 30 years at the organization, retires. Mike O’Malley, a transportation policy expert and former Vice President, Procurement and Supply Chain Management with CSX, will succeed Simpson.

“Mike’s rail industry background and deep expertise in public policy, government affairs, international trade and global supply chains will advance RSI’s mission to support, connect and advocate for railway suppliers,” said RSI Board Chair Jim Frantz. “His track record of building relationships, executing strategy and delivering results will benefit RSI and its members. We congratulate him on his appointment. Tom will act in a consulting capacity as the organization transitions to new leadership. On behalf of the RSI Board of Directors, I thank Tom for his many years of dedicated service and guidance.”

Simpson, who has served as RSI President since 2010, joined the organization, then known as the Railway Progress Institute, in 1988 as Vice President. He was named Executive Director in 2003. Simpson previously was with the Federal Railroad Administration from 1983-1988, where his most recent title was Acting Chief of Staff to then-Administrator John H. Riley.

O’Malley’s career includes experience in the railroad industry, federal and state government, and international trade organizations. He joined CSX at its Jacksonville, Fla., headquarters in 2007 as Vice President, State Government and Community Affairs before being named Vice President, Procurement and Supply Chain Management in 2013. From 2002-2007, O’Malley served with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in Washington, D.C. as Counselor to the Undersecretary for Policy, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, and most recently as Chief of Staff with the Federal Aviation Administration.

Before his tenure with DOT, O’Malley was a government relations advisor with Shaw Pittman LLC. Prior to that, he worked for International Trade Services Corp., the Canadian Consulate General in Chicago, and on the staff of Illinois Governor Jim Edgar.

O’Malley’s education includes a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, a Master of Science in European Studies from the London School of Economics, and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

“RSI has been a leading voice for rail suppliers, representing their interests in Washington, D.C. and across the country,” said O’Malley. “I look forward to joining the RSI team and continuing the important work they do on behalf of the industry.

“Tom has been an outstanding leader and advocate for the railway supply industry,” said Bruce Wise, President, Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA). “He was instrumental in building stronger partnerships within our industry and a key player in the development of the largest North American railway trade show, Railway Interchange. We thank him for his service and look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Mr. O’Malley.”

“We are excited to work with Mr. O’Malley in growing supplier-railroad partnerships and believe he is well equipped to help lead our industry” said David Tennent, REMSA Executive Director and CEO. “I want to sincerely thank Tom for his leadership and friendship and note that his voice will be sorely missed.”