The Railway Supply Institute (RSI) is in the midst of a transformation and seeks a president to lead RSI and its members to a higher level of prominence and a more effective advocacy model in the complex and rapidly changing environment that is the North American transportation ecosystem. RSI members face a variety of economic, trade, regulatory, legislative, and technological challenges and opportunities that must be addressed through proactive advocacy with policymakers, and forward-thinking coordination of a diverse membership. In short, RSI seeks a dynamic leader to refashion our organization and lead us into the future.
The RSI is the only all-inclusive trade association for railway suppliers. Representing more than 170 companies, RSI acts on behalf of railway suppliers to North American freight and passenger railroads and their 240,000 employees. Industry segments include rolling stock manufacturing, leasing, and maintenance, communications & signaling, and maintenance of way. RSI members serve both freight and passenger railroads across the public and private sectors.
RSI represents its member companies and promotes the interests of the industry. Key targets of advocacy include members of congress, the U. S. Department of Transportation[1], the Surface Transportation Board, the Association of American Railroads[2], the U. S. Trade Representative, and the U. S. Department of Commerce. RSI also plays an important role at the state level supporting our members and their customers. RSI member companies’ subject-matter experts actively support RSI advocacy efforts through RSI’s committee structure, as the safety, operational, and economic matters addressed by RSI are complex. RSI members are committed to supporting a safe, economical, environmentally sustainable, and growing rail industry, which we believe serves not only our member companies but also the public interest.
The RSI President is also responsible to actively engage with members to assess alignment on key issues and proactively intervene when misalignment is detected to ensure the RSI coalition remains strong. No advocacy organization can count on 100% alignment of all members on all issues, but a key measure of success for the RSI President will be management and mitigation of member disagreements such that the coalition remains strong in the aggregate.
Partnering with the RSI Board of Directors, the RSI President has overall responsibility for strategic leadership, program and services planning and execution, member services and operations, industry advocacy and government relations, and the financial and general business management functions of the organization. The President is accountable for overall success in achieving the mission of RSI. The individual selected for this role will engage the appropriate resources to support RSI’s portfolio of products and services and direct the work of a matrix RSI team of functional specialists at Smithbucklin, which is the professional services firm RSI utilizes to manage its business affairs.
The RSI President is directly accountable to the Board of Directors for achievement of outcomes – including mission impact, volunteer strength and service delivery. The RSI President will work interdependently to execute their responsibilities within the framework of Smithbucklin’s established client stewardship principles and operating guidelines.
RSI President Role and Responsibilities
Advocacy & Industry Leadership
Serve as the chief advocate for the railway supply industry, leading a high-impact advocacy strategy that advances RSI’s priorities with Congress, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Surface Transportation Board, and other key stakeholders. Translate complex industry dynamics into compelling, data-driven policy positions that elevate the industry’s visibility and influence.
External Influence & Industry Representation
Act as the primary spokesperson and external face of RSI. Build and maintain strong relationships with policymakers, industry leaders, partner organizations, and media. Represent RSI in high-profile, and often high-stakes, public forums, ensuring a credible, persuasive, and consistent voice.
Coalition Leadership & Member Alignment
Lead a diverse membership with varying priorities, aligning stakeholders around shared goals while constructively managing disagreement. Proactively identify areas of misalignment and intervene early to preserve a strong, unified industry voice.
Strategic Planning & Board Partnership
Partner closely with the Board of Directors to shape and execute RSI’s long-term strategy and annual priorities. Provide expert guidance, develop actionable plans, and ensure alignment of resources to achieve organizational goals.
Financial Stewardship
Oversee the financial health of the organization, including budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation. Ensure disciplined financial management, transparency, and alignment with strategic priorities.
Governance & Volunteer Leadership
Support effective governance by advising and enabling the Board and committees. Foster a high-performing volunteer leadership model, including board development, succession planning, and engagement.
Operational Leadership
Provide oversight of association operations, ensuring programs and services deliver measurable value to members. Optimize performance through effective use of Smithbucklin resources and cross-functional teams.
Relationship Management
Build and sustain strong relationships with board members, volunteers, and key stakeholders. Foster collaboration and alignment across the RSI ecosystem.
Qualifications
- 12–15+ years of senior leadership experience, with demonstrated ability to influence at the highest levels across industry and government
- Proven success leading advocacy and government relations efforts, ideally within a complex, regulated environments
- Exceptional executive presence with strong public speaking and communication skills, including in high-pressure and high-visibility settings
- Demonstrated ability to lead through complexity, manage conflict, and align diverse stakeholders
- Experience working with boards and volunteer leadership structures; association experience preferred
- Strong business acumen, including financial management and budgeting experience
- Track record of growing organizations, increasing engagement, and elevating brand/profile
- Collaborative leadership style with the ability to build trust and drive alignment across stakeholders
Measures of Success:
- Elevate RSI from a trade promotion organization with an advocacy effort grafted on into a leading advocacy organization respected on a par with similar organizations, including the Association of American Railroads, American Chemistry Council, and National Industrial Transportation League.
- Strengthen RSI’s influence, credibility, and visibility with policymakers and industry stakeholders
- Increase member engagement, satisfaction and growth
- Expand high-value programs, thought leadership, and revenue streams
- Successfully align a diverse membership to maintain a strong, unified industry voice
- Advocate for the industry by educating members and regulators, influencing public policymakers, and collaborating with other organizations that share the same goals as RSI
Structure of Employment:
RSI employs Smithbucklin, a 650-person, employee-owned professional services company with more than 75 years of success serving the association market, to manage RSI’s business affairs. As with all RSI staffers, the RSI president will be an employee of Smithbucklin.
Within Smithbucklin, the RSI President is part of a community of peer association executives. Success is measured by achieving client-defined results and client-evaluated satisfaction measures, consistently demonstrating required executive competencies. The expected pay for this role is $300,000-$350,000 and up to 50% variable.
Smithbucklin is a client-centric organization, and this position is embedded within RSI’s own unique culture, values, and behaviors. Client organization working environments vary but are all dynamic and volunteer driven. Smithbucklin’s work style is highly collaborative, with teams organized both hierarchically and matrixed. Work activity for this role is self-managed and autonomous. High-pressure situations characterized by both changing board and industry expectations and multiple priorities are frequently encountered. Travel is required.
[1] Specifically, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and the Federal Transit Administration.
[2] The AAR is the trade association for North America’s largest freight railroads, but has been delegated regulatory responsibilities which affect RSI member companies.