Founded in 2004 on the principle that “all politics is local,” we believe that direct input from constituents is the best way to communicate with elected officials. GoRail works with thousands of community leaders across the country to tell the local story of freight rail — stronger economies, more jobs and cleaner skies.
Many Americans don’t realize that freight railroads pay their own way with little help from taxpayers — to the tune of $25 billion annually, on average. These investments make American industry more competitive by maintaining and enhancing the rail network that connects companies and communities to markets all over the world.
Working with the support of U.S. freight railroads and rail supply companies, our coalition of community leaders reminds Congress how freight rail investments and rail policy decisions have real impacts back home, from local jobs and economic development to air quality and road congestion.
Download the GoRail overview.
Rail Advocates
FEATURED GORAIL SUPPORTERSGoRail’s rail advocates are community leaders from every region of the country who recognize that rail policy decisions made in Washington, D.C. have real impacts back home. Meet them and learn more about the ways freight rail has benefited their communities.
Snapshot
Gurbax Sahota
President & CEO, California Association for Local Economic Development; Executive Director, California Academy for Economic DevelopmentSacramento, California
"Infrastructure is the keystone of economic development and freight rail delivers for California."
"Rail has long been the driving force of the Fox River Valley’s economy."
Railroads
North America’s six Class I railroads operate in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Accounting for 68 percent of the industry’s mileage and 88 percent of its employees, these railroads focus on long-haul, high-density intercity traffic.
Russ McGurk co-founded GoRail, then Growth Options for the 21st Century, in 2004 and helped develop the original strategic plan and core mission that have made GoRail pound-for-pound one of Washington’s most effective grassroots issue advocacy organizations.
Michael Gaynor manages the field staff and operations for GoRail. He brings two decades of political experience to his position, having served as a congressional staffer, political consultant, and public relations director to a national non-profit.
Betsy Cantwell leads communications strategy and activities, including earned, digital, and social media. One of her goals is to enhance and marry GoRail's digital advocacy with its grassroots organizing.
Board of Directors
Russell McGurk
President
GoRail
Ian Jefferies
President & Chief Executive Officer
Association of American Railroads
Wendy Whalen
AVP Supply Chain Procurement and Performance
Union Pacific Railroad
Michael Smythers
VP Federal Government Affairs
BNSF Railway
Spence Glotzbach
Head of Procurement
CSX Transportation
Jackie Corletto
AVP, Sourcing
Norfolk Southern Corporation
Andrea Niethold
AVP, Head of Public and Government Affairs U.S.
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