Anacostia Rail Holdings’ Crosson named ASLRRA Safety Professional of the Year

Anacostia Rail Holdings (ARH) has announced that Herman Crosson, Chief Safety and Compliance Officer, ARH, has been named Safety Professional of the Year by the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA)—which represents the interests of the nation’s 603 short line and regional railroads.

“This is an honor that belongs to everyone in the Anacostia family,” Crosson said. “It is a privilege to lead the company’s strong team of professional railroaders. From new hires to our seasoned veterans, all are laser focused on the safety of their fellow workers, community, and shippers.”

Crosson, who has 26 years’ experience in the railroad industry, joined ARH in 2022. During his military service, he was a Brigade Commander as well as Chief of Staff in the South Carolina Army National Guard.

In 2024, Pacific Harbor Line (PHL)—an ARH railroad—received the prestigious ASLRRA President’s Award for Safety and the Jake Safety Award. PHL outperformed all other railroads in its class for the past three years, during which it received three consecutive President’s Awards. During the past eleven years PHL also won eight Jake Awards.

Every ARH railroad has received ASLRRA safety awards, including the President’s and/or Jake awards for exceptional safety performance.

Criteria for ASLRRA’s Safety Professional of the Year are that a nominee is:

• An excellent communicator, motivator, and has the ability to organize others for a common purpose in the interest of safety.

• Selfless in his or her actions, and does not do their job for recognition, but for results.

• One who produces documentable safety achievements as a team leader.

• Respected by peers, senior management, and subordinates alike as a teacher and true safety professional.

• Having other traits or characteristics that make them worthy of winning the ASLRRA Safety Professional of the Year Award.

“We know Herman as someone who cares deeply about the safety of our team,” says Peter Gilbertson, President and CEO, ARH. “He more than meets the criteria for this top industry safety award. This is a well-deserved recognition, and we are proud to have him on our team.”

Crosson will formally accept the award at the ASLRRA 2025 Annual Convention, April 6–8 in Denver.