The National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) President and CEO Eric R. Byer released the following statement regarding the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) appointment of NACD member company representative Richard G. Erstad to its Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC):

“NACD is thrilled with STB’s appointment of Richard G. Erstad to its Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council. Mr. Erstad, vice president, general counsel, and secretary of NACD member Hawkins, Inc., brings extensive, first-hand experience and knowledge of the unique challenges rail shippers face. Through his long and successful tenure in the chemical distribution industry and his involvement with NACD, including his previous time as chair of NACD’s Regulatory Affairs Committee, Mr. Erstad understands the appropriate balance of government oversight when transporting goods throughout our nation’s communities and will be an invaluable member of the Council.”

The RSTAC’s 15 appointed members consist of senior officials representing large and small shippers, as well as large and small railroads who provide advice on regulatory policy and legislative matters to the STB chair, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.