Railroad executive Craig King, a newcomer to the Eastern Kentucky University Board of Regents, believes the institution he helps direct is on the right track.
King, president of the R.J. Corman Railroad Group, LLC, joined the Board at its recent special-called meeting and will serve a six-year term.
“I am a strong proponent of being a catalytic leader and not a manager of the status quo,” King said. “We have the right person in President (Michael) Benson, and we are most fortunate. I love the extreme dedication of the people I have met at the University. I sure like what I see and like our opportunities for students moving forward.”
King joined R.J. Corman as president in 2013 after 35 years with CSX, where he held positions of increasing responsibility in both engineering and transportation, culminating in 2010 with his appointment as a regional vice president for transportation.
He is now responsible for overseeing the overall operations of all R.J. Corman Railroad companies, including Group, Derailment Services, Construction, Aircraft Maintenance, Material Sales, Aviation Services, Shortlines, Switching, Railpower Locomotives Distribution Centers, Storm Team, and R.J. Corman Dinner Trains.
“Our company is very dynamic,” King said, “and we have enjoyed three years of significant growth.”
Now, he wants to give back to the Commonwealth and to higher education.
“I have always worn my love for Kentucky on my sleeve,” said King, a Fort Wright native who now lives in Nicholasville, headquarters for R.J. Corman. “I’ve been fortunate, both personally and professionally. I attribute the fortune to three things: my family and friends, my industry, and my education. I give back to my family and friends and my industry, but found myself short on giving back to education. I asked the governor how I could help.”
King also serves on the Central Bank Advisory Board, with American Cancer Society’s CEOs against Cancer and on the Board of Directors for Commerce Lexington.
He attended the University of Kentucky, earned an undergraduate degree from University of Phoenix and an MBA degree from Jacksonville University.
He advises students to “get used to learning. Hone your skills of learning here and become proficient with those skills, as the requirement for learning does not stop when you leave EKU.”