GENERAL PASSENGER AGENTS - (GPA)

Here's what I have thus far: Any corrections/additions are welcomed!

- Howard Mapes Smith (1848 - 1919+?) was appointed LIRR Traffic Manager 4/2/1888 and later to GPA on 4/12/1901
- P.H. Woodward (tickets printed in the 1920's)
- A.H. Shaw became GPA on 7/1/29
- C.G. Pennington was appointed 9/15/43
- E.R. Comer was appointed 10/16/43 - 1946
- Homes Bannard served 7/1/46 - 12/1/48
- J.F. Finnegan was appointed GPA 12/1/48
- W.P. Eckfeldt
- H.A. Weiss appointed Traffic Manager 12/1/48 (can’t figure out the date overlap with Finnegan and Edfeldt)
- H.A. Weiss made Passenger Traffic Manager on 3/11/53
- Harold M. Throop - appointed GPA mid-1960’s-1971 retirement; died 4/12/2016.

General Passenger Agent (GPA) details are difficult to find documented. A great deal of the research came from PRR histories, so there may be date errors, as many of these men held the same position with both the PRR and the LIRR. Research: Brad Phillips

Further info below the line: Anyone know the GPA's after Throop 1960's forward?

GENERAL PASSENGER AGENTS (GPA)
- Howard Mapes Smith (1848 - 1919+?) was appointed LIRR Traffic Manager 4/2/1888 and later to GPA on 4/12/1901
- P.H. Woodward (tickets printed in the 1920's)
- A.H. Shaw became GPA on 7/1/29
- C.G. Pennington was appointed 9/15/43
- E.R. Comer was appointed 10/16/43 - 1946
- Homes Bannard served 7/1/46 - 12/1/48
- J.F. Finnegan was appointed GPA 12/1/48
- W.P. Eckfeldt
- H.A. Weiss appointed Traffic Manager 12/1/48 (can’t figure out the date overlap with Finnegan and Edfeldt)
- H.A. Weiss made Passenger Traffic Manager on 3/11/53
- Harold M. Throop - appointed GPA mid-1960’s-1971 retirement; died 4/12/2016. Research: Brad Phillips



________________________________________
George R Farrell 2008
James R Brooks 2008-2009
Robert F Free 2009-2013
Spiro Papanikolatos 2013-2020
Vincent S Campansano 2020-Current (Acting General Superintendent Transportation)

Not sure if there were any after Throop. The title is long defunct, like that of the ubiquitous pre-1950s "Traffic Manager".

Once the State gained control, the spiral of job upgrading, duplication and management packing began. The General Passenger Agent became a Superintendent - Passenger Stations, then Manager - Passenger Services, Vice President - Customer Operations (like in a hospital) Customer Experience, etc.

I've lost count. There was a gaggle of titles for the endless parade of guys who told ticket clerks and station cleaners where to go and what to do. Some of the titles would make even a Russian tsar blush.

Here are the names that I know and pretty much complete and in order after Throop (I hired on right after Throop and never left the department). Dates are approximate:
Joe Sobina - 71 to 74
Herbie Hansen - 74 to 78
John Battistini - 78 to 81
Tom Waring - 81 to 93?
Jim Castle - 93 to 99
Bill Sellerberg - 99 to 03
Fred Wedley - 03 to 07
Kevin Fehn - 07 to 09
Jim Compton - 09 to 21
Theresa Dorsey (Current - Acting)

The title for the job changed over the years as the the area moved back and forth. Some years it was a separate department, others went back to Transportation. The last couple of years it was General Manager, Chief Station Officer

Great, thank you.