Featured Speakers

DAVID FINK

Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration

David Armstrong Fink brings over 45 years of distinguished leadership in the transportation sector. A fifth-generation railroader, his career spans senior roles across both freight and passenger operations, grounded in a lifelong commitment to the industry.

Fink previously served as President of Pan Am Railways, where he modernized operations, elevated safety standards, and spearheaded technological innovation, including championing the implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) and other advanced safety system. His efforts contributed to a measurable reduction in rail accidents and improved operational reliability.

As FRA Administrator, Fink intends to refresh outdated regulatory frameworks, accelerate deployment of safety technologies, and support critical projects through targeted grant programs. He is committed advancing FRA’s mission of zero injuries and zero accidents on U.S. railroads — ensuring a safer, more efficient and sustainable rail system for the 21st century.

Fink holds a Master of Science in Business Administration from Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelor of Science in Transportation and Physical Distribution Management from Northeastern University. Fink and his wife of 40 years live in New Hampshire; they have two children and recently welcomed their first granddaughter.

KATIE FARMER

President and Chief Executive Officer, BNSF

Katie Farmer was named President and Chief Executive Officer in 2021 and also leads BNSF’s Board of Directors. With more than 30 years of railroading experience, Katie most recently served as executive vice president and Chief Operations Officer, where she oversaw the entire BNSF Operations organization, including train operations; maintenance of track, structures, and rolling stock; as well as sourcing, safety and training.

Prior to serving as executive vice president and Chief Operations Officer, Katie served as vice president, Service Design and Transportation Support since July 2017. In this role, she was responsible for the scheduling of railroad operations to meet customer expectations and optimize use of the BNSF network as well as service design functions for the Agricultural, Industrial, Consumer Products, and Coal business units in addition to Capacity Planning, Joint Facilities, Shortline Development, and Passenger Operations.

Katie began her career in the railroad industry with Burlington Northern in 1992 as a management trainee in Fort Worth, Texas. Katie has held a variety of positions in sales and marketing in the Chemical, Plastic, and Minerals business units. She also held positions in finance, customer solutions, and network operations. In 1998, after a field sales position in Houston, Texas, she returned to Fort Worth as director of Plastics Marketing. In 2001, she was appointed to general director of Chemical Products Sales. In 2002, she was promoted to the position of assistant vice president of Carload Equipment, supporting the Carload, Agricultural Products, and Coal business units. In December 2005, she was named vice president, sales, Industrial Products, and in June 2010 was appointed vice president, Domestic Intermodal. Beginning in January 2013, she served as group vice president, Consumer Products.

MARK GEORGE

President & CEO, Norfolk Southern

Mark George is President and Chief Executive Officer at Norfolk Southern Corporation. In his current role, George oversees all areas of the company’s business and operations, building a customer-centric and operations-driven organization. George has more than 30 years of experience in financial management, strategy, and business development. During his time at Norfolk Southern, he has enhanced the company’s focus on productivity and cost control — utilizing his expertise across multiple industrial segments. Most recently, George served as Chief Financial Officer and first joined the company in 2019.

Prior to joining Norfolk Southern, he held successive roles of responsibility across multiple commercial and business segments of United Technologies Corporation and its subsidiaries, including six years in Asia as the regional CFO for the Otis Elevator Company. He held roles of increasing responsibility and ultimately served as the Global CFO for both the Otis Elevator Company and the Carrier Corporation from 2008 to 2019. George is also on the Board of Directors for Trane Technologies plc (NYSE: TT), where he serves on the Finance and Audit Committees. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of Georgia.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Central Connecticut State University and an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.