The way that the response from Norfolk Southern and government officials has unfolded has deepened a conviction among many here that they have been treated as expendable victims of powerful forces.
We have nominated seven highly qualified, independent candidates for election to Norfolk Southern’s Board. They possess the necessary experience in governance, finance, legislative and regulatory affairs, strategic transformations, transportation and the railroad sector.
We have identified a proposed management team that includes Jim Barber, a proven transportation network leader and former executive at UPS, as CEO and Jamie Boychuk, a career railroader and former executive at CSX, as COO.
With the right Board, management and strategy, we believe Norfolk Southern can achieve its full potential as a safe, reliable and top-performing railroad for all stakeholders.
Key Issues Norfolk Southern Faces Today
CEO Alan Shaw is a 30-year insider who lacks relevant experience and has a track record of failing to deliver growth.
Leadership’s operating plan has resulted in higher costs, shrinking margins and a worse operating ratio.
Under Mr. Shaw’s leadership, Norfolk Southern has underperformed Class I railroad peers on every relevant operating metric.
The Board has failed to hold management accountable for its widening peer gap, lax operating culture and increasing rate of accidents.
Norfolk Southern’s insufficient response to the East Palestine derailment is the product of a failed strategy, poor accountability and a lack of leadership oversight.
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The way that the response from Norfolk Southern and government officials has unfolded has deepened a conviction among many here that they have been treated as expendable victims of powerful forces.
‘It’s Norfolk Southern’s responsibility to keep its workers safe on the job,’ said Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat. ‘And this company has failed to do its job over and over and over.’
‘This derailment was entirely avoidable,’ the attorney general, Dave Yost, said at a news conference in Columbus announcing the suit. ‘I’m concerned that Norfolk Southern is putting profits for their own company above the health and safety of the cities and communities that they operate in.’
‘I think they’ve handled it terribly,’ said Warren Buffett when asked about Norfolk Southern’s response to the East Palestine derailment. ‘They were tone deaf.’