10 BNSF Railway government affairs leaders
Vice president of federal government affairs, executive director of public and government affairs and executive director of state government affairs for Montana and Idaho are among the current titles held by these BNSF Railway government affairs leaders. A reader can learn how government affairs leaders work at BNSF Railway from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Amy Goffe McBeth
LinkedInExperience: Regional AVP, Public Affairs · BNSF Railway
Amy Goffe McBeth has been Regional AVP, Public Affairs at BNSF Railway since January 2020, based in Minneapolis, and was Director of Public Affairs at BNSF Railway from 2010 to 2020. Amy Goffe McBeth was a Public Affairs Officer at the Canadian Consulate General (2004–2010).
Cyndi Hillery
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director of Public Affairs · BNSF Railway
Cyndi Hillery has been Executive Director of Public Affairs at BNSF Railway since May 2025, based in Sacramento. Cyndi Hillery was Director, State Government Affairs West at Karuna Therapeutics (2023–2024), Vice President of Government Affairs at WelbeHealth (2022–2023), a Legislative Advocate at the California Medical Association (2020–2022) and Budget Director for the Assembly Minority Caucus (2017–2020).
Justin Wormmeester
LinkedInExperience: Director, Government Affairs · BNSF Railway
Justin Wormmeester has been Director, Government Affairs at BNSF Railway since June 2011, based in Washington, D.C., and the profile headline gives the title General Director, Federal Government Affairs. Justin Wormmeester was Chief of Staff to Congressman Pete Hoekstra (1999–2011) and a Legislative Director in the U.S. House of Representatives (1999–2007).
Luke Wenz
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director of Public Affairs · BNSF Railway
Luke Wenz has been Executive Director of Public Affairs at BNSF Railway since August 2026, based in Lincoln, Nebraska. Luke Wenz was Vice President of Government Relations at the Platte Institute (2025–2026), Deputy National Outreach Director, West and Military at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (2018–2025) and Managing Principal at Big Stick Consulting (2020–2024).
Lydia Holmes Sokoll, MPA
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director of Public Affairs (AL, AR, LA, MS, TN) · BNSF Railway
Lydia Holmes Sokoll has been Executive Director of Public Affairs (AL, AR, LA, MS, TN) at BNSF Railway since July 2026, based in Memphis. Lydia Holmes Sokoll was Director of Public Affairs at the MidSouth Development District (2025–2026), Policy Director at the City of Memphis (2024–2025) and Director Of Public Policy at the Greater Memphis Chamber (2021–2023).
Lydia Underdahl
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director Of Public Affairs · BNSF Railway
Lydia Underdahl has been Executive Director Of Public Affairs at BNSF Railway since January 2017, based in the Minneapolis area, and the profile headline names policy advocacy and grassroots lobbying. Lydia Underdahl was Government Affairs Manager at Target (2014–2017) and worked in Government Relations at Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP (2007–2014).
Matthew Jones
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director State Government Affairs -- Montana and Idaho · BNSF Railway
Matthew Jones has been Executive Director State Government Affairs -- Montana and Idaho at BNSF Railway since January 2013, based in Bozeman, and the profile headline gives the title Executive Director Public Affairs at BNSF Railway. Matthew Jones was State Director at USDA Rural Development (2009–2013) and Tax Counsel at the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance (2001–2006).
Michael Garriga
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director of Public and Government Affairs · BNSF Railway
Michael Garriga was Executive Director of Public and Government Affairs at BNSF Railway from 2012 to 2026 and has been Senior Director of State Affairs at FedEx Freight since April 2026, based in Memphis. Michael Garriga was County Administrator and Chief Administrative Officer for the Desoto County Board of Supervisors (2004–2012) and its Deputy Director of Planning and Development (2001–2004).
Mike Smythers
LinkedInExperience: Vice President-Federal Government Affairs · BNSF Railway
Mike Smythers has been Vice President-Federal Government Affairs at BNSF Railway since August 2019 and lists the BNSF role of Assistant Vice President - Federal Affairs from 2006, based in the Washington area. Mike Smythers was Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs at the White House (2004–2006) and Assistant Vice President - Government Affairs at CSX Corporation (1999–2004).
Peter Skosey
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director, Public & Government Affairs · BNSF Railway
Peter Skosey has been Executive Director, Public & Government Affairs at BNSF Railway since November 2016, based in the Chicago area, and the profile headline gives the title Executive Director, State Government Affairs, BNSF Railway. Peter Skosey also serves as a board member of the Illinois Conservation Foundation (since 2025) and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (since 2024).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's area, whether federal work in Washington or public affairs for a group of states, to the decision you face. Then use each role's start date to favor someone whose time in the role covers the period you care about.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01What did a typical week look like in your government affairs role at BNSF Railway, and which work took the most time?
- 02How did you work with business, legal and communications colleagues when a policy issue affected your part of the company?
- 03Which earlier roles prepared you best for government affairs work at BNSF Railway, and what did you have to learn on the job?
Reaching BNSF Railway government affairs leaders
How can I contact one of these BNSF Railway government affairs leaders?
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Yes. An agent with a USDC wallet on Base can ask one question without an Instant Expert account. It names the person, for example by the LinkedIn URL on this page, and pays per ask over x402 (HTTP 402). The person answers in writing or by voice note, and if nobody answers within 7 days, the payment goes back to the wallet automatically. Claude and ChatGPT can do the same through the Instant Expert connector: setup is at /docs/mcp for Claude and /docs/chatgpt for ChatGPT. x402 docs
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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