SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

The Surface Transportation Board today announced the addition of Richard Erstad and James (Leggett) Kitchin to the Board’s Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC).  Mr. Erstad joins as a small shipper representative, and Mr. Kitchin joins as a large railroad representative.

Mr. Erstad is the vice president, general counsel, and secretary of Hawkins, Inc. a specialty chemical and ingredients company.  He has a background in promoting corporate responsibility and the safe transportation of chemicals.  Mr. Erstad also serves as the chair of the Regulatory Affairs Committee of the National Association of Chemical Distributors.

Mr. Kitchin is the vice president for industrial products and coal at Norfolk Southern Railway Company.  He is responsible for the marketing of agricultural and forest products, metals and construction, chemicals, and coal.  He also manages sales and customer support for these commodities.  Mr. Kitchin has a background in investment banking.

“I am pleased that Richard and Leggett have agreed to join RSTAC and advise the Board on matters of concern,” said Chairman Martin Oberman.  “Both new members have extensive experience with operations in environments where commodities need to be delivered effectively and safely to meet the needs of the public.  The other Board members and I look forward to working with them both and expect that they will make a positive contribution to RSTAC as we all work to help ensure the rail network remains efficient and viable.”

The ICC Termination Act of 1995 established RSTAC to advise the Board’s Chairman, the Secretary of Transportation, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure with respect to rail transportation policy issues RSTAC considers significant.  RSTAC focuses on issues of importance to small shippers and small railroads, including railcar supply, rates, competition, and procedures for addressing claims.  It is charged with developing private-sector mechanisms to identify, address, and prevent obstacles to effective and efficient interstate transportation.

More information about RSTAC can be located here.

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