WASHINGTON – Amtrak Board of Directors today appointed Kevin Winters as the new Amtrak inspector general, effective immediately. He succeeds Tom Howard, who will retire after four decades of experience in senior federal accountability positions.
Winters has served as Deputy Inspector General and Counsel since 2015, after serving for ten years as a senior executive with NASA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG).
“Kevin is a highly respected leader in the Inspector General community and has a strong knowledge of Amtrak’s business operations and critical mission,” said Amtrak Board Chairman Tony Coscia. “He also has the integrity and objectivity required for this independent role.”
Before joining the OIG community, Winters had a career with the United States Marine Corps, retiring as a Brigadier General. Originally from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Winters earned a B.S.C. and a law degree from the University of Louisville, and a Masters in Law from the University of Virginia.
Howard announced his retirement plans to Amtrak’s Board of Directors in November. He joined the OIG in 2010 as Deputy Inspector General and has served as the Amtrak Inspector General for the past five years.
During his tenure, Howard spearheaded a reorganization of the OIG that cemented its independence and refocused efforts on becoming a model OIG by providing objective products that addressed high-impact issues faced by Amtrak.
“Tom has provided nothing but honorable and productive service during his time as inspector general, and we wish him the best of luck as he transitions to this exciting phase in his life,” said Coscia. “Tom has left a lasting, positive mark on Amtrak’s Office of Inspector General and I’ve greatly valued his objectivity in providing unvarnished assessments of the company’s programs and operations.”