ATLANTA - Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NYSE:NSC), a leading transportation provider, announced today the immediate appointment of John Orr as executive vice president and chief operating officer.
Orr brings over four decades of industry experience to the role, including significant contributions to the operational successes of Canadian Pacific (NYSE:CP) Kansas City (CPKC), Kansas City Southern (NYSE:KSU) (KCS), and Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR) (CN).
Orr is recognized for his expertise in scheduled railroading and operational efficiency, having led transformative initiatives that resulted in improved safety and performance metrics at his previous positions.
His career began as a conductor at CN, where he rose through the ranks, ultimately serving as senior vice president and chief transportation officer. At CPKC, Orr was instrumental in integrating operations after its acquisition by Canadian Pacific Railway, particularly in enhancing the Mexican operations.
In his new position, Orr will oversee Norfolk Southern's railway operations, focusing on safety, transportation, network planning and operations, engineering, and equipment maintenance. His appointment follows the departure of former COO Paul Duncan, who left the company to pursue other opportunities.
Norfolk Southern's independent board chair, Amy Miles, expressed confidence in Orr's ability to drive the company's strategic execution and deliver shareholder value. Claude Mongeau, an independent director and former CEO of CN, also endorsed Orr's operational excellence and commitment to safety.
President and CEO of Norfolk Southern, Alan Shaw, praised Orr's respected leadership and his fit for the company's strategy, emphasizing Orr's track record with customers, regulators, unions, and industry partners. Shaw also acknowledged the contributions of Paul Duncan to the company's safety culture and service improvements.
Orr's appointment is part of a broader agreement with CPKC, including a $25 million payment and other operational considerations, in exchange for a waiver of non-compete provisions.
Norfolk Southern, with a history dating back to 1827, operates a significant freight transportation network in the United States. The company is committed to sustainability, helping customers reduce carbon emissions and delivering over 7 million carloads annually across various sectors.
This article is based on a press release statement.
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