Subject: Joe Boardman
From: "Joseph Boardman" <[email-masked]>
To: "Hunter Biden" <[email-masked]>, "Hunter Biden" <[email-masked]>, "Hunter Biden" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 19 Jul 2015 05:07:38 -0400

Good morning Hunter. 
I chuckle that I used to wonder why someone who was on their way out could not see the signs sooner. I admit to now being one of those who did not really understand that I was on my way out as CEO here at Amtrak. 
I wanted to send you a note that I'm okay with that.  I'd rather go with my head up and not because of a bunch of rumors. I get it. I've been banging heads with the two Republican members for awhile now. Jeff Moreland and Chris Beal. Some with Bert too, but less so. I have Tony and Tom's support and I think both Yvonne and Sarah are pretty silent and not fully engaged.
I've been trying to replace our CFO who moved to Arizona last year and was due to go off the books in April but the Board (Audit Committee chaired by Moreland along with Beal and Coscia) wanted him to stay till this December. They only see him at Board meetings and he has them under his spell like the Music Man but he spends almost zero other time here.  It is not good for morale and his nonsense quips have hurt any team support for him.
I have interviewed candidates and selected one that I've tried to have the Audit Committee get comfortable with. They have dragged their feet and have not really been as forthright with me as I expect. Last week I finally got Mr Beal to talk with her (Cindy Russo) in that talk she asked about my tenure. I had told her that I had requested two more years a few months ago. (Truthfully Tony had said that the Board was split on it, I had dumbly not interpreted that as a No!) Mr Beal told her something like:  Well the CEO may have a short extension but not long, in fact he may be gone when his contract is up in December. She came back with that info and I believe it is the truth. I confronted Tony with this and that is when I understood what was happening.  
So Okay I'm fine with going I told Tony, but not by rumor. I get it, I told him I'm ready to go, I told him I'm tired anyway this place is a constant fight and the accident knocked the tar out of me. I said lets get honest and set a date that I will retire and find a replacement. He had concerns about timing with elections and such and I said I agree---- why do you think I asked for two more years????  But I said I am ticked off about dying on rumor.
I will force the issue this week at the Board meeting.  I will suggest that I leave next spring and that I announce that this week.  I will have been the only Amtrak CEO to have actually retired from Amtrak since Claytor. We need that stability for the good of this company.
One final thing this CFO should go.  His living outside of here and coming almost the day of the Board meeting and then leaving the afternoon of its end is an embarrassment.  I'm amazed that its not a news item, but as you know I do not do disloyal things. His name is Gerald Sokol and he is well thought of in his short tenure (He is a knowledgeable CEO, very bright)  he is not well thought of inside this team. His behaviors are way off.  Some believe he wishes to replace me and is forcing me out as he has a history of that very thing. I refuse to be insecure about that but this man must not even be considered for this job when I leave, he would be a disaster and he would lay the blame on everyone but himself.
I am ready to give up the burdens Hunter. Congress can't seem to get out of their own way on rebuilding this nation. They seem to want to rebuild everyone else's nation. Our infrastructure is being patched together by some incredibly hard working and talented people while critic after critic stand on the sidelines poking at things they don't understand.
Thank you for your friendship and your support. As of today I've not told Brian what I'm doing. I will do so tomorrow. I hope you are also do okay with yourself and your thoughts and your grieving. I know from my personal experience that it lasts and will do so even as we reconcile it and wall it off. My prayers for you, your dad and all as I say my own too. 
Best.  joe