RAIL Solution Names Executive Director

January 2006 | Download PDF

Emory, VA - Rees Shearer, Chairman of RAIL Solution, today announced the appointment of David L. Foster of Salem as the group's executive director. "This is a big step for us. We have long hoped to be able to fund a paid staff person to help get our rail advocacy message to the public more consistently and effectively," Shearer said. Foster formerly served as treasurer of RAIL Solution. He assumed his new role January 1, 2006.

RAIL Solution is a grassroots citizens' group with membership concentrated in the Interstate 81 Corridor of Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. "The hard work and generous support of our members and donors has made this step possible," Shearer said. "Our volunteers will continue to be the backbone of the organization, but we hope to get even more done with Dave's direction."

Foster holds an MBA degree from the Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in transportation. He is a veteran of the U. S. Air Force and served with the Strategic Air Command stateside and in Southeast Asia. For over 24 years Foster worked in Roanoke for Norfolk Southern and predecessor Norfolk & Western Railway in various management positions, primarily in coal marketing. Since August, 1996 he has been self employed as a consultant.

"This is a pivotal time for us," Foster said. "Again this year we have several initiatives before the General Assembly, and we are studying the Draft Environmental Impact Statement on I-81 that was released at the end of November. It is seriously flawed, resulting in premature rejection of rail in the Corridor. We will release a detailed analysis soon," Foster indicated. "I appreciate the confidence shown in me by RAIL Solution's executive committee", he added, "and hope to build on the excellent previous work of the all-volunteer group."