Just Call Me Hays : Recollections on 42 Years Railroading - Hardcover

Watkins, Hays T.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1929102038 ISBN 13: 9781929102037

Publisher: R.E.B. Communications, 2001

Synopsis

Hays T. Watkins has always been fascinated by railroads. Two relatives worked as a engineer and a conductor and, during his graduate studies, he began photographing trains passing through Chicago and the collection remains one of his treasured possessions. So Watkins' rapid rise to chairman of CSX Corporation is not surprising. The path he took, however, was somewhat unusual. A native of the Louisville suburb of Fern Creek, Watkins earned his bachelor's degree from Bowling Green Business University (now WKU) in 1947 and a master's degree from Northwestern University in 1948. In 1949, he joined Chesapeake and Ohio Railway as a staff analyst and by 1961 had become C&O's treasurer. In 1964, following the affiliation of C&O and Baltimore and Ohio railways, Watkins was elected vice president for finance for both companies.

In 1971, at age 45, he was elected president and CEO of C&O/B&O, and in 1973, added the title of chairman of the board. As the mergers continued, so did Watkins' rise. In 1975, he became chairman, president and CEO of Chessie System Inc.; in 1980, president and co-CEO of CSX Corporation; in 1982, chairman and CEO of CSX; and in 1989, chairman of the CSX Board of Directors, a position he held until his retirement in 1991. He is now chairman emeritus of CSX. His advancement was somewhat unusual because Watkins background was in finance, not in transportation operations. Watkins said he was able to understand the railroad's operations and tell where the company was headed by studying its figures. This book tells his story.

About this edition

• Publisher: R.E.B. Communications
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1929102038
• ISBN 13: 9781929102037
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 328