Alexander Kummant
Encyclopedia
Alexander K. Kummant was named by Amtrak
on August 29, 2006, as the railroad company's new president
and chief executive officer
effective September 12 of that year. He succeeded David L. Gunn
in this position who was dismissed in November 2005, and David Hughes
who had been serving as interim president.
Kummant submitted his resignation from Amtrak on November 14, 2008. He graduated from Case Western Reserve University
's engineering school in 1982.
Before working for Amtrak, Kummant had worked as an executive for Union Pacific Railroad
(UP) where he fulfilled several Vice President roles. After UP, Kummant also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Komatsu America Corporation. Before that, he was president of BOMAG
, the German
manufacturer of road roller
s and other construction material compacting equipment.
As Amtrak president and CEO, Kummant was more conciliatory towards the survival of Amtrak in its current form than Congressional Republicans had been during the early 2000s. During his term, he did not support Congressional proposals to split the Northeast Corridor
(the segment from Boston to Richmond) from the rest of Amtrak's operations; nor did he envision shedding the long distance east-west routes of Amtrak.
Kummant submitted his resignation on November 14, 2008. Upon his resignation, Amtrak COO
William Crosbie assumed the role of interim CEO, but was succeeded on November 25 by former FRA administrator Joseph H. Boardman
.
Don Phillips
claims that inside sources indicate that Kummant did not in fact resign voluntarily, but was made to quit because of a dispute with the board of directors about debt restructuring.
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
on August 29, 2006, as the railroad company's new president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
and chief executive officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
effective September 12 of that year. He succeeded David L. Gunn
David L. Gunn
David L. Gunn is a transportation system administrator who has headed several significant railroads and transit systems in North America....
in this position who was dismissed in November 2005, and David Hughes
David Hughes (Amtrak)
David J. Hughes is a United States railroad executive.Hughes has worked in the railroad industry for more than 30 years and was a member of Amtrak's senior management since 2002, serving as the company's Chief Engineer under President David L...
who had been serving as interim president.
Kummant submitted his resignation from Amtrak on November 14, 2008. He graduated from Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is a private research university located in Cleveland, Ohio, USA...
's engineering school in 1982.
Before working for Amtrak, Kummant had worked as an executive for Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
(UP) where he fulfilled several Vice President roles. After UP, Kummant also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Komatsu America Corporation. Before that, he was president of BOMAG
BOMAG
BOMAG is a German company is global market leader in compaction technology and manufactures soil, asphalt and refuse compaction equipment, as well as stabilizers and recyclers...
, the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
manufacturer of road roller
Road roller
A road roller is a compactor type engineering vehicle used to compact soil, gravel, concrete, or asphalt in the construction of roads and foundations, similar rollers are used also at landfills or in agriculture.In some parts of the world, road rollers are still known colloquially as steam...
s and other construction material compacting equipment.
As Amtrak president and CEO, Kummant was more conciliatory towards the survival of Amtrak in its current form than Congressional Republicans had been during the early 2000s. During his term, he did not support Congressional proposals to split the Northeast Corridor
Northeast Corridor
The Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities...
(the segment from Boston to Richmond) from the rest of Amtrak's operations; nor did he envision shedding the long distance east-west routes of Amtrak.
Kummant submitted his resignation on November 14, 2008. Upon his resignation, Amtrak COO
Chief operating officer
A Chief Operating Officer or Director of Operations can be one of the highest-ranking executives in an organization and comprises part of the "C-Suite"...
William Crosbie assumed the role of interim CEO, but was succeeded on November 25 by former FRA administrator Joseph H. Boardman
Joseph H. Boardman
Joseph H. Boardman is the president of Amtrak and formerly Administrator of the United States Federal Railroad Administration.He was nominated by President George W. Bush on March 17, 2005 and confirmed by the United States Senate on April 28, 2005. He was the eleventh Federal Railroad...
.
Don Phillips
Don Phillips
Donald David Phillips is a Canadian Anglican bishop who is the current the Bishop of Rupert's Land.Phillips was educated at the University of Western Ontario and ordained in 1981. He was at Lac La Biche, Alberta until 1984 and then priest in charge at St Thomas' Fort McMurray...
claims that inside sources indicate that Kummant did not in fact resign voluntarily, but was made to quit because of a dispute with the board of directors about debt restructuring.