Amtrak names new Executive Vice President and Chief Safety Officer

Amtrak has appointed Steve Predmore as the company’s new Executive Vice President and Chief Safety Officer, with the tenure beginning in early November 2019, as his predecessor, Ken Hylander, enters retirement. He joins Amtrak with almost 30 years of experience in protecting employees and customers in high-risk industries, two decades of which was gained in the aviation industry.

In this role, Predmore will lead the company’s System Safety, Compliance and Training, Environmental Compliance, Sustainability, and Public Health groups – his responsibilities will include safety planning, training, and performance across the Amtrak national network.

Stephen Gardner, Amtrak’s Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating and Commercial Officer, said: “We are pleased to welcome Steve to Amtrak as a recognised leader in the implementation and operation of Safety Management Systems (SMS). He has a deep understanding of system safety, human factors, and human performance that will help us build and sustain a high-performing safety culture.”

Predmore joins Amtrak from the Bristow Group where he served as Vice President and Chief Safety Officer, successfully implementing the SMS model within several high-risk businesses. His previous employment includes his beginnings at Delta Air Lines in a variety of safety, quality and human factor roles; Vice President and Chief Safety Officer for JetBlue Airways; and Senior Vice President of Safety at MV Transportation.