Fall Board Meeting Highlights
From emerging industry trends to leadership insights, our Fall 2025 Board Meeting showcased the strength of collaboration. Held on the University of Denver campus in October, the event reflected the Institute’s ongoing commitment to connecting academic excellence with real-world industry leadership.
Welcome to the official recap.
The key to building real confidence
A fireside chat with John Orr
Watch John Orr—Norfolk Southern's EVP & COO—get serious about leadership, strategy, and the evolving challenges of modern rail networks in this candid conversation with new TSCI Chair Michelle Livingstone. From operational excellence to innovative approaches in safety and efficiency, John shares insights honed over decades at Norfolk Southern—including how to fail in a way that strengthens teams rather than hinders them.
Regaining Ground
How intermodal can reclaim market share, build talent, and shape the future of freight
At the Transportation & Supply Chain Institute’s recent board meeting, Anne Reinke, President and CEO of IANA, laid out intermodal’s opportunity to reclaim ground lost during the pandemic. Today Intermodal transportation makes up approximately 4.5% of the domestic freight market, down from 7.5% pre-pandemic.
The pandemic exposed the fragility of the supply chain in a way that was quite new to Gen X on down. Rail service faltered, trucks struggled to keep pace, and containers stacked up at ports. Everyday consumers suddenly understood what the industry has always known: a missing shipment is more than a logistical headache—it affects lives. As Anne pointed out, “Even my children were like, ‘Oh, the supply chain dysfunction! That’s why I’m not getting my Minecraft toy!’”
In the scramble to stabilize freight flows, utilization of intermodal was sacrificed in favor of other, faster modes, such as truckload and aircargo. But the overall value proposition has not changed and the concept remains straightforward—put each mode to its highest and best optimal use. Ocean carriers move goods across vast distances, railroads and intermodal cover intermediate distances, dray handles hub moves, and final delivery manages last mile. Railroads still provide cost-effective service, and 2026 will likely be a turning point. Today’s rates indicates that improvement is on the horizon.
Now more than ever, education and workforce development are essential. Growing young talent is necessary for industrial resilience, and IANA is committed to bringing new professionals into the marketplace with an emphasis on anticipating change rather than simply reacting to it.
When asked about her day-to-day leadership philosophy, Anne cites the book Humble Leadership. “You need to trust your team and let them do their jobs. Don’t get involved unless you have to.” Coupled with transparency and integrity, this approach fosters a culture where people can grow, thrive, and stay motivated. “Practicing this creates a positive workforce, and that’s who we want to work with—positive and productive people.”
The through line of Anne’s vision is clear: those who anticipate the future will be the ones that thrive. Fortunately, intermodal, IANA, and TSCI are ready for it.
Charting a New Course
Official handover to Michelle Livingstone as Board Chair
After standing at the helm for the past few years, Steve Rhode, VP/General Manager, SFI at Schneider, officially handed the wheel to Michelle Livingstone, TSCI's new Chair, at the start of the 2025 Board Meeting.
Michelle, a transportation veteran with decades of experience, including standout leadership at The Home Depot, steps into the role ready to guide TSCI into its next chapter. Steve remains on the Board as Past Chair, ensuring a smooth transition, as well as his continued voice, vision, and support.
"Transportation and supply chains drive the physical world as we know it, but purpose drives us in ways that may be intangible but are just as real."
—Michelle Livingstone, TSCI Chair