WASHINGTON, D.C. — Caroline Decker, a former vice president for Amtrak, has joined WSP USA, a leading engineering and professional services consultancy, as vice president of federal affairs.
In her new role with the firm, Decker will be responsible for engaging elected and appointed officials at the federal level, monitoring and shaping policies impacting WSP’s core business services. She will also provide strategic guidance to internal leadership to advance high-priority initiatives to achieve company goals.
“Caroline’s transportation and leadership experience with Amtrak and in government affairs on Capitol Hill will be extremely valuable to WSP,” said Stuart Sunshine, national director of government affairs at WSP. “Her understanding of key legislative issues that impact our clients across all businesses, combined with her ability to collaborate with industry and government leaders to reach common goals, are unparalleled. I am grateful to have Caroline as part of the WSP team and look forward to working with her on these important matters.”
Decker succeeds Cathy Connor, who retired in June after 32 years with WSP.
Under her strategic leadership at Amtrak, Decker was responsible for driving growth in revenue and ridership while continuously improving the delivery, reliability and consistency of products and services in the Northeast Corridor. She focused on transforming and elevating the overall customer experience in stations and on-board Acela and Northeast Regional services and was responsible for the implementation and readiness planning to support the introduction of the new fleet of Acela trains being manufactured in Hornell, New York. She previously served as Amtrak’s vice president of corporate communications and government affairs.
Prior to joining Amtrak, Decker served as chief of staff, legislative director and transportation advisor to former Tennessee Congressman Bob Clement, who served as a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the ranking member of the Railroads Subcommittee. She also served as vice president of legislative affairs with the American Trucking Associations and has experience in the energy sector with the Tennessee Valley Authority and Ashland Oil.
A resident of Washington, D.C., Decker graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.
She received Railway Age magazine’s “Women in Rail” award in 2017, and in 2019 was named Woman of the Year by the Women’s Transportation Seminar, DC Chapter. Decker was a founding member of “Notch 8 – Women of Amtrak”, Amtrak’s first company-wide women’s affinity group. Named after the maximum full throttle position in diesel locomotives, the group promotes professional development, career advancement and mentoring.
About WSP USA
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 12,000 employees in 200 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper. wsp.com
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