Norfolk Southern (NS) on June 12 reported that Richard H. Anderson—the former CEO and Executive Chairman of Delta Air Lines, President of Optum Health, CEO of Northwest Airlines, and most recently President and CEO of Amtrak (2017-2020)—will serve as Independent Chair of the Board, effective immediately. He succeeds former CN executive Claude Mongeau, who resigned from the chairmanship post earlier this month for “personal reasons.”
Anderson has been a member of the Board, which unanimously elected him Chair, since May 2024, according to NS. He will now also serve as Chair of the Executive Committee and the Strategy & Planning Committee.
Additionally, Jack Huffard, Co-founder and Director of Tenable Holdings, Inc., has been appointed as Chair of the NS Compensation and Talent Management Committee, the Class I railroad reported. This appointment is also effective immediately.
According to NS, the Board has agreed to reduce its size to 12 members, and the remaining Committee Chairs will continue in their existing positions.
“Since the very beginning of his time on our Board, Richard has contributed deep, experience-based business insight and a collaborative style that has helped drive cohesion among the newly constituted Board,” NS President and CEO Mark George said. “I look forward to working with him in this new capacity as we continue to build on Norfolk Southern’s strong momentum, advance our strategic priorities, and deliver long-term value for our shareholders, customers, and employees.”
“During my year on the Board, I’ve seen firsthand how the Norfolk Southern team has propelled the company forward—delivering strong performance for stakeholders and becoming an even safer, more efficient railroad,” said Anderson, who is also a director of Cargill Inc., a global food, ingredient, agricultural solutions, and industrial products provider. “Alongside the management team and dedicated employees, the board remains focused on delivering value for all our stakeholders.”
NS on Jan. 27 added Lori J. Ryerkerk, former Chairman, CEO, and President of Dallas, Texas-based Celanese Corp., to the Board of Directors.
Further Reading:
- NS to Add New Independent Board Member
- Certified Results of NS Shareholders Meeting Confirm New Board
- NS: Proxy Battle Ends With Favorable Results
- Norfolk Southern Pulling Out of the Station After Proxy Fight, Leaving Activist Ancora in the Dust
- A “Sully” Moment For Amtrak’s Anderson
- Amtrak’s Anderson not a random choice
