Derrick James has been with Amtrak since 2007. He was recruited to Amtrak from Chicago Transit Authority. In his role at Amtrak he is responsible for cultivating solid relationships with mayors, other local political and civic leaders, and community advocates, to advance the railroad’s mission of providing relevant, market-driven intercity passenger service at value for the taxpayer. Amtrak provides intercity passenger service on 28 corridors under contract for 17 states. He works with executive and legislative leaders in nine of those states to make the case for continuation of those contracts and by extension, continued service to rail customers. As Amtrak charts a future of expansion along potential corridors, he is making the case to policymakers in additional states that rail should part of the solution for transportation challenges, can enhance traveler mobility, and be an economic engine in station
communities.

At Chicago Transit Authority, Mr. James held several positions. Beginning in 2002, he promoted partnerships with Chicago businesses to allow employees to deduct transit costs from their pay and take advantage of tax savings. As Visitor and Group Marketing Manager, he promoted transit travel to Chicago visitors including partnerships with the Chicago Marathon and hotel concierge association. He managed the campaign launching CTA’s first new rail route in 20 years when the Pink Line was unveiled, including spearheading the agency’s first trilingual radio and print collateral.

Mr. James has also held positions in government affairs at Canadian National Railway and community organizing at the Center for Neighborhood Technology, culminating in a successful campaign to increase the effectiveness of the region’s MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) to link transportation and land use planning.

Mr. James is active in the community, as block club leader in his Chicago neighborhood, a volunteer with the Southeast Chicago Chamber of Commerce, and served on Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Transportation Transition Team.

Mr. James is a 1997 bachelor of arts graduate in Political Science and Geography from the University of Iowa.