Claude Edward Elkins Jr. is known as a legacy-driven leader who embodies resilience, integrity, and a deep commitment to professional excellence and community service. His journey reflects a blend of heritage, education, leadership, and character that has inspired many across generations.
Claude Edward Elkins Jr. stands out as a figure of purpose and principle in both personal and professional spheres. His name carries a sense of heritage, representing continuity, responsibility, and integrity. Throughout his life, he has become a symbol of how leadership, family values, and lifelong learning can shape a meaningful legacy in modern society.
Family Heritage and Legacy
The name “Claude Edward Elkins Jr.” carries with it a proud family lineage rooted in tradition and values. The suffix “Jr.” symbolizes continuity between generations—where lessons, virtues, and experiences flow from father to son. It’s more than a name; it’s a mission to uphold what previous generations have built. Claude represents a bridge between past and future, embodying values such as diligence, respect, and perseverance.
Heritage plays a central role in Claude’s life, guiding his principles and influencing his professional and community endeavors. The Elkins family name itself carries associations of hard work and character, qualities that Claude continues to uphold through every stage of his career.
Career Timeline
Claude Edward Elkins Jr.’s career at Norfolk Southern Corporation began in 1988, marking the start of a remarkable professional journey that has spanned more than three decades.
Education and Professional Journey
Education has been one of the cornerstones of Claude Edward Elkins Jr.’s path to success. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise and an MBA from Old Dominion University with a focus on Port & Maritime Economics. Furthering his learning, he also earned management certificates from Harvard Business School, the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, and the University of Tennessee Supply Chain Institute.
Claude began his professional journey in 1988 as a Road Brakeman for Norfolk Southern Corporation—a role that marked the beginning of his long and successful career in the freight transportation industry. Over time, his dedication, strategic mindset, and leadership abilities earned him promotions through roles such as Conductor, Locomotive Engineer, and Relief Yardmaster, before advancing into management and executive positions.
Leadership at Norfolk Southern
Today, Claude E. Elkins Jr. serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Norfolk Southern Corporation, one of the leading freight transportation companies in the United States. In this role, he oversees the company’s Intermodal, Automotive, and Industrial Products divisions while managing teams responsible for Real Estate, Industrial Development, Short Line Marketing, and Customer Logistics.
Under his guidance, Norfolk Southern continues to strengthen its position as one of the nation’s most sustainable and efficient transportation networks, helping customers eliminate nearly 15 million tons of carbon emissions annually by shipping via rail. Claude also serves on the boards of TTX Company and the National Association of Manufacturers, and as the Vice Chair of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, reflecting his deep involvement in advancing economic and industrial progress.
Legacy, Influence & Lessons
Claude Edward Elkins Jr’s trajectory is not just a success story—it offers instructive lessons for anyone aspiring to leadership in complex industries:
- Ground-up experience builds credibility: Starting in operations gives you insight and respect that many managers lack.
- Diverse skills multiply impact: Combining communication, marketing, logistics, and leadership allows you to bridge silos.
- Continuous learning fuels adaptability: His pursuit of executive education and cross-domain exposure helped him stay relevant.
- Leadership is service: His external roles show that influence is not limited to your organization—it extends to community, industry, and networks.
- Integrity and patience matter: His steady, often quiet path contrasts with flashier career moves—and that steadiness begets long-term impact.
He is a model not only for rail or transportation, but for any leader wanting to blend domain expertise, strategic vision, and authentic leadership.
Character, Community, and Leadership Values
Claude Edward Elkins Jr.’s leadership philosophy is grounded in character. His professional success is matched by his commitment to mentoring others, supporting his community, and promoting ethical corporate practices. He has often expressed that success is not measured by titles but by impact—how one uplifts colleagues, contributes to the community, and leaves a legacy of integrity and service.
Community involvement remains an essential aspect of Claude’s life. He actively supports educational and industry organizations, contributing to leadership programs and marketing forums such as the Georgia State University Marketing Roundtable. His leadership style reflects humility, empathy, and the belief that true influence is earned through service and consistent excellence.
2025 – 37 Years of Service and Industry Leadership
As of 2025, Claude Elkins marked 37 years with Norfolk Southern, reflecting a career defined by loyalty, operational excellence, and transformation. He continues to lead initiatives centered on commercial growth, smarter deal structures, customer experience, and rail innovation, steering the company toward a sustainable and efficient future.
He now serves on multiple boards, including the National Association of Manufacturers, TTX Company, and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, reflecting his influence within both the transportation industry and the broader business community.
Inspiring Legacy and Future Impact
The influence of Claude Edward Elkins Jr. reaches far beyond corporate achievements. His story serves as a model of sustained leadership built on education, hard work, and family values. By embodying timeless virtues—resilience, humility, and service—he continues to inspire future leaders in both business and community arenas.
In essence, Claude’s journey demonstrates that a name is not just an identity—it’s a lifelong responsibility. Through his commitment to excellence, his example reminds us that legacy is not what one inherits, but what one builds and passes forward for generations to come.
