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5/20/2026
[Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct Harris' title.]
Amtrak President Roger Harris will depart the organization on July 31 as part of a planned transition, Chairman Tony Coscia said in a press release issued yesterday. William “Byl” Herrmann will lead the company as interim president while the board conducts a search for a permanent chief executive officer.
Under Harris’ tenure, Amtrak launched the NextGen Acela fleet and the Mardi Gras service. The passenger railroad also advanced major capital projects such as the Portal North Bridge and logged record ridership and revenue, Coscia said.
Herrmann joined Amtrak in 1999 and currently serves as executive vice president, chief legal and human resources officer and corporate secretary. Herrmann is a 27-year veteran of Amtrak.
“Byl Herrmann is a natural fit to lead Amtrak for what’s directly ahead of us,” Coscia said. "Byl will work closely with the board and executive leadership team to maintain continuity, support our workforce and keep our focus on safe, reliable service, and delivering on our commitments to customers, partners and the communities we serve.”