Robert J. Stewart of Fort Myers, Florida, Elected NARP Chairman

Robert J. Stewart of Fort Myers, Florida, Elected NARP Chairman

For Immediate Release (#10-06)

April 30, 2010

Contacts: Ross Capon, Sean Jeans-Gail

202-408-8362 (Capon cell 301-385-6438)

The National Association of Railroad Passengers’ Council of Representatives, meeting this week in Alexandria, Virginia, elected Robert J. “Bob” Stewart as the association’s Chairman.  He succeeds George L. Chilson, who had served three two-year terms and did not run for re-election.  The chairman serves as a volunteer.

Stewart previously was Vice Chairman—Mission Accomplishment.  He has been a member of the Association since 1970, joining the board in 2002 and becoming vice-president (later vice-chairman) in 2004.

He looks forward to further expanding the Association’s influence, saying, “I am particularly interested in growing the association’s membership, continuing to expand strong grass roots efforts across the country, developing future leaders for our association and getting a greater diversity of members on our Council.”

A native of Mountain Lakes, NJ, Stewart holds a bachelor of business administration from Baldwin-Wallace College (Berea OH).  He served in the U.S. Marine Corps 1962-68.  He and his wife Virginia live in Fort Myers, Florida.  He is retired from ARCO Chemical Company where for 29 years he had various sales and marketing positions, including sales and development manager for Asia.  Earlier, he held sales and training positions at Procter & Gamble, 1965-69.  He holds a Florida Real Estate license.

A past president of the Tennessee Association of Railroad Passengers and member of the Tennessee State Rail Passenger Advisory Council, Stewart belongs to numerous rail advocacy and historical organizations, including the Florida Coalition of Rail Passengers, on whose board he sits.

He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Southwest Florida Symphony and sings in the orchestra’s chorus.  He has guest conducted the orchestra’s Christmas Pops concert.  He is an elder with Westminster Presbyterian Church and has served as a director of the Crown Colony Home Owners Association (both Fort Myers).

Chilson led the organization since 2004.  He spearheaded a reorganization under which the Board of Directors was sharply downsized, an expanded Council of Representatives was created, title of the organization’s volunteer leader was changed from president to chairman, and long-time Executive Director Ross Capon became President and CEO.  This week’s election was the first since the reorganization took place in late 2008.

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