CANBY TO STEP DOWN AS ONERAIL COALITION DIRECTOR, BARNHART NAMED DIRECTOR, HILL ANNOUNCED AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR
WASHINGTON, DC, June 17, 2021 – The OneRail Coalition Board of Directors announced executive changes to the organization. Anne Canby is stepping down as the organization’s Director, Deputy Director Devon Barnhart will take over as Director, and Liz Hill will be Deputy Director for the coalition.
“Anne Canby is stepping down as Director of OneRail after leading the Coalition since it began in 2009,” said OneRail Board Chair and American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association President Chuck Baker. “Over the years, she brought together a wide variety of stakeholders in support of a robust U.S. freight and passenger industry, while continually expanding and strengthening the coalition. Her expertise in transportation policy, practical experience in managing significant transportation systems, deep connections with industry as well as local, state and federal government, and perhaps most importantly her relentless optimism and drive for improvements to the nation’s transportation system have been tremendous assets to OneRail and our mission. We are beyond grateful for her excellent stewardship.”
“The OneRail Board is now pleased to name Devon Barnhart as Director and Liz Hill as Deputy Director,” Baker continued. “Their combined knowledge of rail issues and policymaking and credibility with key stakeholders and policymakers will continue to move the OneRail Coalition forward,” he stated.
Deputy Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose said, “On behalf of the FRA, I congratulate Anne on the occasion of her stepping down from OneRail and extend our appreciation for her long and distinguished career, making numerous lasting contributions to the rail sector. Throughout her career, and most recently as founder of OneRail, Anne has laid the foundation for a second rail revolution. We, the Biden-Harris Administration, plan to honor her by delivering on that vision. Anne’s knowledge and dedication are truly remarkable, and serve as an example to others. She has been a mentor to many of us in transportation, and we wish her the best.”
Said Canby, “Over the years, OneRail has established itself as a credible resource for rail policy. We have helped to raise the profile of rail’s many benefits through a variety of activities and brought the various segments of the rail industry together for the first time. It has been wonderful getting know and work with people from all segments of the industry. Under Devon’s and Liz’s leadership, OneRail will have the right team at the right time to do even more to raise awareness of the many economic, environmental, and safety benefits of freight and passenger rail and to advocate for policies that support the rail industry and the good paying jobs it provides.”
Barnhart, a lawyer and civil engineer focused on transportation policy, has a deep understanding of all aspects of freight and passenger rail. Before joining OneRail in 2019 as Deputy Director, she served as the subcommittee staff director for the Transportation and Safety Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee. She was previously director of government affairs and outreach for Smart Growth America, and before that was a legislative assistant in the Senate and legislative counsel for a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
“Now more than ever, rail is a vital part of a strong economy, a cleaner environment and a safer transportation system,” said Barnhart. “As polls show that more Americans are recognizing U.S. freight and passenger rail as a solution to climate change and infrastructure issues, I’m excited to continue OneRail’s important work.”
She continued, “With Liz Hill on the team, our coalition is stronger in our mission of supporting and advancing the role of rail.”
Hill most recently served as Staff Director for the Rail, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I). Previously she split her time between working for current T&I Committee Chair Peter DeFazio as Director of Pacific Northwest Policy and professional staff for the Rail Subcommittee. Prior to the T&I Committee, Hill was a legislative assistant for U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, handling policy issues including appropriations, transportation, and commerce. In 2012, Hill served as Campaign Manager for Rep. DeFazio’s re-election campaign. An Oregon native, Hill attended Willamette University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Politics.
About OneRail
OneRail is a diverse group of stakeholders who have come together to educate America about the benefits of a strong freight and passenger rail system. Learn more at www.onerail.org; follow OneRail on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
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