Amtrak named Gerald Sokol Jr. as its new chief financial officer (CFO). He will report directly to Amtrak President/CEO Joe Boardman effective December 3.

As CFO, Sokol will be responsible for corporate finance, business forecasting and development of growth strategies to help secure Amtrak’s long-term viability.

“Jerry’s talent and experiences are valuable assets that will further improve the Amtrak financial performance with the goal of strengthening our bottom line,” said Boardman.

Since mid-2011, Sokol served as president/CEO of Vertis Corp., a $1.2 billion revenue direct mail and newspaper insert printing company, and was Vertis’ CFO during 2010.

Boardman emphasized that Amtrak has made significant progress in its financial performance in recent years with record ticket revenues, covering 88% of its operating costs with ticket sales and other revenues, cutting its debt by 60% and improving its credit ratings.

Sokol is expected to assist in further advancing these and other financial metrics such as reducing costs, increasing revenues and efficiency, and improving the railroad’s operating ratio.