This Veterans Day, Norfolk Southern is proud to celebrate the many contributions of armed forces veterans who work throughout our railroad.

From our yards to our headquarters and everywhere in between, more than 2,000 active and veteran service members are employed by Norfolk Southern, representing nearly 10 percent of the company’s entire workforce.

While we’ve always taken pride in the being a top choice for veterans leaving the service and entering the workforce, this year, we are proud to have been recognized as a Top 25 Employer for Veterans by Military.com and a Best for Vets employer by Military Times magazine. The awards spotlight companies for meeting or exceeding standards related to recruiting, hiring, and training of veterans.

Meet seven of the veteran employees who power our railroad below.

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Angela Brewer
Dispatcher Trainee
Network Operations Center
Atlanta
Joined NS in 2023

Tell us about your military service.
I decided to join the military because both of my brothers were serving. I decided after graduating from college to join the U.S. Army, where I served for 20 years. I retired as a Captain. I served in the Medical Services Corps, where I did biological research for the first 12 years. I was an Environmental Engineer for my final eight years of service.

What brought you to Norfolk Southern?
I retired from the Army in 2018 and moved back to Georgia. I worked as an esthetician until 2023. I decided to apply to Norfolk Southern as a Dispatcher based on my brother’s suggestion. My brother, who is retired U.S. Air Force, was also hired as a Conductor with NS. I am currently a Dispatcher trainee in the Blue Ridge Division. I hope to be fully qualified by this December.

How did your military service prepare you for a career at Norfolk Southern?
My military service prepared me for a career with NS by exposing me to various learning styles. I knew that if I could learn and master all the tasks assigned to me in the military, that if I applied myself, I could join the NS team and master tasks that would be assigned to me. I don’t quit when things are difficult. I lean in and learn.

As a side note, my birthday is also on Veterans Day

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Trent Chandler
Transportation Operations Supervisor
Muncie, Indiana
Joined NS in 2023

Tell us about your military service.
I was a Military Policeman in the U.S. Army from 1997-2000. My rank was E-4 and I was stationed at Ft. Bliss, Texas. I worked directly with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration at the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC), tracking forged United States travel documents used by drug smugglers.

What brought you to Norfolk Southern?
NS has a long-standing history of hiring military veterans and honoring our service to this great nation. NS also offers a great benefits and compensation package for my family and I.

Tell us about your current role at NS.
I am a Transportation Operations Supervisor (Road Supervisor), where I oversee all the trains and train crew that operate within my territory. I conduct safety audits, crew briefings, and work directly with our customers on a wide range of issues and service needs.

How did your military service prepare you for a career at NS?
The Army is a fast-paced and ever-changing, complex environment. This has suited me well with my role at NS because the railroad is just as fasted paced and complex. Every day brings new challenges and I meet those challenges head on with skills I have learned from my military service. Timeliness, readiness, and preparedness are key to the military and NS alike.

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Ed Elkins
Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
Atlanta
Joined NS in 1988

Tell us about your military service.
I enlisted the United States Marine Corps in July 1983 at the age of 17. I completed boot camp at Paris Island, South Carolina and was assigned to serve as an armored crewman (tank). After completing Armor training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, I joined the Fleet Marine Force with the 1^st Marine Division in Camp Pendleton, California in 1984. In 1985, I completed a Western Pacific Tour aboard the helicopter assault ship USS Peleliu and spent time ashore in Korea, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, and extended time in the Philippine Islands. In 1986 I returned to the Pacific and was stationed in Okinawa and Korea. I completed my active-duty service as a Sergeant, Tank Commander in 1987. I served in the USMC Reserves until July 1989.

What brought you to Norfolk Southern?
After completing my service in the USMC, I was hired by Norfolk Southern as a Road Brakeman. I pursued a job at Norfolk Southern at the urging of my father, who saw an ad in the local newspaper. I served in a variety of Operational roles while earning my degree in English from the University of Virginia at Wise, including Conductor, Locomotive Engineer, and Relief Yardmaster.

After my time in Operations, I worked in Intermodal Marketing for 20 years, eventually becoming Group Vice President – International. In 2016, I took on a new challenge as Group Vice President of Chemicals Marketing at the invitation of Alan Shaw, who was Chief Marketing Officer at the time. In 2018, I was promoted to Vice President – Industrial Products and, in 2021, I was appointed to my current role.

Tell us about your current role at NS.
As Chief Marketing Officer, I work with our Team of Teams to sustain and enhance our customer relationships, helping them unlock the value of rail in their supply chain and grow our business together. We have four main business units: Intermodal & Automotive, Business Development and Real Estate, Industrial Products & Coal, and First & Final Mile Markets.There are several business groups within each unit that all work together with our colleagues in operations to drive our business forward.

How did your military service prepare you for a career at NS?
We are a company that sincerely values our veterans, and I want to take the opportunity now to thank all at Norfolk Southern who have also served our country. In the Marines, we were taught 14 Leadership Traits and 11 Leadership Principles. Many stuck with me, and I’ll highlight just two that are very important for someone starting out in management and that made a difference for me: “Justice” and “Know Yourself and Seek Self Improvement”.

For Justice, as Marines, we’re taught to display fairness and impartiality as a critical tool to gain the trust and respect of our fellow Marines, maintain discipline and cohesion, and promote responsibility and accountability. We’re also taught to know yourself and seek self-improvement. This principle of leadership says we should constantly and honestly evaluate ourselves to improve. This is more difficult than it sounds as people have a tendency to deceive themselves regarding their own skills. As you know, we are doing that sort of earnest introspection every day at NS. It can be uncomfortable, but it is the best way to improve and move yourself forward. I’m proud to be part of an organization that embodies these principles as well. As you’ve probably heard, we believe that our strategy is “A Better Way Forward.”

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Patrick Hollingsworth
Terminal Supervisor, Croxton Yard
Jersey City, New Jersey
Joined NS in 2021

Tell us about your military service.
I served as an active-duty Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force from December 2009 to April 2021. I’ve served in the Air National Guard since April 2021.

What brought you to Norfolk Southern?
The growth and opportunities I heard about at Norfolk Southern. Since joining NS, I’ve held roles in both Transportation and Maintenance of Way.

Tell us about your current role at NS.
As a Terminal Supervisor, I am responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a transportation terminal. I ensure that all activities run smoothly, efficiently, and safely, and that all employees are well-informed and satisfied with their experience.

I manage a team of terminal staff, including customer service representatives, security personnel, maintenance workers, and other support staff. I am responsible for scheduling staff, assigning work, and ensuring that all employees are properly trained and equipped to carry out their duties.

How did your military service prepare you for a career at NS?
I learned many transferrable skills while serving in the Air Force, including:

Discipline and attention to detail: This quality is crucial in the transportation industry to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.

Teamwork and communication: Effective communication and collaboration is crucial in security forces. These skills are transferable to roles at Norfolk Southern, where teamwork is essential for smooth operations.

Adaptability: Security forces often require adaptability and the ability to respond to changing situations. The transportation industry can be dynamic, so being able to adapt to evolving circumstances is valuable.

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John Santamaria
Supervisor, Communications & Signals
Roanoke, VA
Joined NS in 1992

Tell us about your military service.
I joined the U.S. Navy in September 1988 as a Seaman Recruit, E-1 rank. After bootcamp and training, I was stationed on the USS Briscoe. I was honorably discharged in August 1992 as Petty Officer 3rd Class Boatswain’s Mate, E-4 rank.

What brought you to Norfolk Southern?
I was discharged in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia and had a young family. I applied for a job with Norfolk Southern as an Assistant Signalman and was hired shortly thereafter.

Tell us about your current role at NS.
I have been with NS for 31 years and I have held almost every possible divisional position in Communications & Signals, from Assistant Signalman to Division Manager of the Midwest Division. I’m currently a C&S Supervisor in Roanoke, Virginia, which is close to my family.

How did your military service prepare you for a career at NS?
The Navy gave me all the tools I needed to become successful with NS. I had a technical background, and the military enhanced my skills by giving me real life experiences to perform under pressure. It taught me accountability, not only to myself but to the people counting on me.

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Richard Scott
Manager, Engineering Administration & Vehicle Fleet
Atlanta
Joined NS in 1998

Tell us about your military service.
I served in the United States Marine Corps as an E3 from 1990-1995. During that time, I served in Operation Desert Storm/Shield. My colleagues and I supported the largest ammunition dump from the Persian Gulf to the United States. We loaded and moved more ammunition than Vietnam and Korea combined, and we did it in record time with no casualties.

What brought you to Norfolk Southern?
When I got out of the Marines, I enrolled at Concord University in Athens, West Virginia to earn my teaching degree. As I was getting ready to graduate, I decided that the classroom wasn’t the right career for me. I saw an advertisement in the newspaper about a Norfolk Southern job fair for Crew Dispatcher positions in Bluefield. Unfortunately, there were just three positions available at the time. I attended the event and learned there were 50 openings for the other positions in Atlanta and applied there.

Tell us about your current role at NS.
I serve in two distinct roles. As Manager of our Vehicle Fleet, I oversee more than 5,000 trucks and vehicles we use throughout our 22-state network. I also serve as Manager of Engineering Administration, where I assist with coordinating our $1 billion infrastructure improvement work.

How did your military service prepare you for a career at NS?
Through my service in the Marines, I learned how to overcome and adapt to any situation. If you didn’t have what you needed, you figured out how to get it.

I’ve held many different jobs at NS throughout the country and each one has had both challenges and rewards. Your ability to adapt can help you to have a great career, just like I’ve had here at NS.