Superintendent Jason Charbonneau is excited to help lead the Belt.

“I’m confident we can continue what we’ve historically done for the city of Chicago and the nation,” he said.

As the former senior director of safety and compliance, Charbonneau says he’ll leverage his three-decade career to promote those areas of emphasis.

Charbonneau started his career in Chicago with Conrail in 1995 as a brakeman, later working as a conductor and locomotive engineer. In 1999, Conrail was split between CSX and Norfolk Southern, and Charbonneau chose the latter, entering management as a Road Foreman of Engines and rose through the ranks to Superintendent.

He started at the Belt in March 2020 as a field team leader and admired its “family-oriented” nature. 

“There’s a different vibe here,” Charbonneau said. “Everyone knows and looks out for each other.” 

He praised the lack of silos between departments at the Belt.

Drawing on his experience in Transportation, Charbonneau says he seeks to enhance safety and operations through clear communication, which includes actively seeking employee input.

“Change is good,” Charbonneau said. “We’re getting the right people in the right places, so we can focus on what matters most: safely moving freight and taking care of one another. We’re all in this together.”