Carper reappointed to Amtrak board
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefTom Carper, who served as an Amtrak board member from March 2008 to March 2013 and was elected Chairman in January 2009, serving in that capacity until his term expired, has been reappointed. He was nominated for reappointment by President Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve another five-year term.
Eight of the nine Amtrak board positions are now filled. Carper will join current Amtrak Board Chairman Tony Coscia, Bert DiClemente, Christopher Beall, Jeff Moreland, Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx, and Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman.
“I look forward to revisiting and tackling the exciting challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,” Carper said. “Amtrak remains a critical component of our national transportation infrastructure and plays a vital role connecting communities and providing passengers with convenient access to job centers, thus enhancing regional economies.”
“Tom’s reappointment will only strengthen the make up of the existing board by virtue of his wealth of experience, transportation knowledge, and the continued growth of America’s Railroad, which continues to enjoy record ridership levels throughout the country,” said Coscia.
Carper was a small business owner from Macomb, Ill., and served as Mayor of Macomb from 1991 to 2003. He was appointed by the Amtrak Board of Directors to the Amtrak Mayors’ Advisory Council and served as its Chair from 2000 to 2001. In 2003, he was named regional director of the West Central Region for Opportunity Returns by the Illinois governor. He retired from this position in 2010. Carper received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Illinois University in 1982. He served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1970 in Thailand and Vietnam.
