Norfolk, Va. – April 22, 2022 – The Hampton Roads Global Commerce Council (HRGCC), a non-profit
organization dedicated to bringing together and serving the industries in Hampton Roads associated
with national and international commerce, has awarded the prestigious Commerce Builder Award to
retired Vice President Intermodal and Automotive for Norfolk Southern, Jeffrey S. Heller. The Commerce
Builder Award, given annually to an individual or company whose contributions have significantly
influenced the growth of commerce and trade in the Commonwealth of Virginia, was presented at
HRGCC’s flagship State of the Port of Virginia event on April 21 at the Marriott Virginia Beach
Oceanfront.
Heller joined Norfolk Southern in 2004 and most recently served as vice president intermodal and
automotive until his retirement on March 1, 2022. In this role, he was responsible for the organization’s
intermodal and automotive marketing, sales, and operations across five business divisions and
subsidiary companies. Prior to joining Norfolk Southern, Heller held various sales and marketing
management positions in the container shipping business, both in the U.S. and abroad.
Among the reasons HRGCC selected Heller for the Commerce Builder Award was his instrumental role in
the introduction of the Heartland Corridor, which offers the most direct high-capacity intermodal route
between the mid-Atlantic and Midwest and made way for double-stacked intermodal trains. Resulting
from close collaboration among many entities such as Norfolk Southern, the Port of Virginia, the
Commonwealth of Virginia, and state and federal officials, the Heartland Corridor led to improved
transport efficiencies and lower costs for shippers, enhanced on-highway mobility with less congestion,
a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, economic and employment opportunities in the region, and
better access to global trade routes through the Port of Virginia. HRGCC also noted Heller’s
contributions to spearheading technology upgrades that made doing business with Norfolk Southern
easier and faster.
“Today Jeff Heller’s name is rightfully added to a respected list of recipients who have displayed
extraordinary vision and outstanding leadership qualities,” said Kevin Speers, president of HRGCC. “The
Heartland Corridor, one of a portfolio of projects which were catalysts for The Port of Virginia’s growth,
now transports 35% of its imports on rail. His contributions have made a resounding impact on the
Hampton Roads region and beyond, and the HRGCC is proud to have Jeff Heller accept the Commerce
Builder Award.”
Heller attributes this achievement to the decades-long collaborative strategy between the
Commonwealth of Virginia, Virginia Port Authority, Virginia International Terminals, and Norfolk
Southern.
“The long-term partnership between the Ports of Virginia and Norfolk Southern included a common
vision and strategy for success. I appreciate playing a role in that success and thank the HRGCC for
honoring me as a contributor,” said Heller.
For more information about past Commerce Builder Award recipients or becoming a member, visit:
https://hrgcc.org/
Founded in the early 1950s, the Hampton Roads Global Commerce Council (HRGCC) is a non-profit
organization dedicated to promoting the international commerce of the United States through the
Hampton Roads region. Through education, information-sharing, and networking, the Council fulfills its
mission to bring together and serve industries in Hampton Roads that are associated with national and
international commerce. Since 1956, the Commerce Builder Award has been presented to recipients
who have displayed extraordinary vision and outstanding leadership qualities
Copyright © 2023 Hampton Roads Global Commerce Council. All rights reserved.
