As part of a special series in Railway Age’s March 2021 issue, 11 North American railroad CEOs address the daunting challenges the freight rail industry faces as the 21st century enters its third decade—from operations and technology to marketing and growth. Here, Jim Squires, Chairman, President and CEO of Norfolk Southern, covers unlocking the power of Big Data, advancing automation and empowering its workforce.
Norfolk Southern (NS) worked with 86 businesses to open new or expanded rail-served facilities along its network in 2020. They are expected to generate more than 54,300 carloads of volume annually, the railroad reported.
CSX announced Nov. 30 it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire Pan Am Railways, Inc., the 1,800-mile Class II in New England, expanding its reach in Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts, while adding Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine to its existing 23-state network.
RAILWAY AGE, NOVEMBER 2020 ISSUE: Cindy Sanborn, a seasoned railroader who Norfolk Southern Chairman, President and CEO Jim Squires described as “one of the freight rail industry’s leading operations experts,” became the railroad’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer on Sept. 1, 2020. Mike Wheeler, Sanborn’s predecessor, retired on Oct. 1, 2020, after a 35-year career at the railroad.
Norfolk Southern has published its 13th annual Corporate Responsibility Report, highlighting the company’s performance in 2019.
OmniTRAX Inc., an affiliate of The Broe Group, is launching its Rail-Ready Sites program at Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub in coordination with the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority (ECIDA). The Rail-Ready Sites program connects customers looking to maximize supply chain performance with rail-served properties.
John Scheib has stepped down as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Norfolk Southern (NS), effective June 1. In conjunction with this change, the railroad also announced several “organizational enhancements.” Functions within the Service Optimization and Customer Engagement Division, which include Strategic Planning, Network Planning and Optimization, and Customer Operations, will be integrated into the Finance, Operations, and Marketing divisions, respectively.
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) announced organizational changes within its Finance Division, effective June 1, 2020. Jason Zampi will become Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis, a new department. Clyde “Jake” Allison, Jr. will become Vice President and Controller, with responsibility for all accounting functions. Chris Neikirk will become Vice President of Treasury and Investor Relations. The three will report to NS Chief Financial Officer Mark George.
Norfolk Southern is idling its hump yard at Linwood Terminal due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Norfolk Southern on Aug. 14 announced promotions for two senior-level managers, effective Aug. 16: Vanessa Allen Sutherland and Michael Farrell. Allen Sutherland, previously Vice President Law, is now SVP Government Relations and Chief Legal Officer. Farrell, previously Senior Vice President Transportation, is now SVP Operations and Mechanical.