Her Story
About Jo
Jo Strang is the Senior Vice President of Safety, Regulatory, and Environmental Policy at the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), where she represents more than 500 short line and regional railroads on critical issues involving safety, environmental stewardship, and federal regulatory policy. A nationally recognized transportation safety leader, she has dedicated her career to advancing railroad safety through strategic leadership, regulatory expertise, and industry collaboration. Her extensive experience spans both the public and private sectors, where she has consistently championed initiatives that strengthen safety performance while supporting the continued growth of the nation's freight rail network.
Before joining ASLRRA, Strang served for more than a decade with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), including as Associate Administrator and Chief Safety Officer for the United States. In that role, she was responsible for overseeing railroad safety nationwide and leading regulatory oversight efforts across the industry. Earlier in her federal career, she directed the FRA's research and development office, managing crashworthiness research, impact testing, and studies designed to improve the safety of rail equipment during derailments and collisions. She holds a master's degree from Marquette University in public policy, economics, and statistics and was recognized as one of Progressive Railroading magazine's 2026 Women of Influence for Leadership in Rail.
Strang's commitment to safety extends well beyond her professional responsibilities. She serves as Chair of the Board of Operation Lifesaver, a nonprofit organization dedicated to railroad safety education for students, professional drivers, farmers, and communities across the country. She attributes her career to a deep passion for protecting people and recognizes that while the railroad industry is among the safest modes of transportation, it requires unwavering vigilance because the consequences of mistakes can be severe. Through her leadership, advocacy, and service, Strang continues to make a lasting impact on the safety of railroad employees, passengers, and the communities the industry serves.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jo
01What do you attribute your success to?
I care a lot about safety, and I want to have as big a range of influence on it as I possibly can, because I want people to be safe. The railroad industry is a very safe industry, but it's also a very unforgiving industry, in that if you make a mistake, the consequences can be fatal. And I want the people that work in the industry that I love, that I care about, to be safe.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think the best thing that I had was a great mentor, and it doesn't have to be through a formal mentorship program or anything like that, but what I had was a person who believed in me and told me that I could do things that I didn't believe I could do, and then helped me get opportunities to try it out in a safe space. And that helped me learn and grow and become confident and capable. So, I would say, you know, like, my best advice is really just, you know, find a mentor, and it doesn't have to be formal, but that can lead you to bigger opportunities and see a lot of change.
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