Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) has made a significant governance update by appointing Richard H. Anderson as the independent chair of its Board of Directors, effective immediately as of June 12, 2025. Anderson brings extraordinary leadership credentials, having served as CEO and Executive Chairman of Delta Air Lines, President of Optum Health, CEO of Northwest Airlines, and most recently President and CEO of Amtrak. Since joining Norfolk Southern’s board in May 2024, Anderson has become an instrumental force in guiding the company’s strategic direction.
This leadership change comes as Norfolk Southern continues capitalizing on its operational momentum and strategic initiatives. Anderson also chairs the Executive Committee and the Strategy & Planning Committee, reinforcing his central role in steering the railroad’s long-term priorities.
Norfolk Southern operates a sprawling 22-state freight transportation network, annually moving approximately 7 million carloads of goods across diverse sectors including agriculture and consumer products. The company plays a pivotal role in sustainability by helping customers avoid roughly 15 million tons of carbon emissions yearly via rail shipping, underscoring its commitment to efficient and eco-friendly logistics.
From a financial perspective, Norfolk Southern reported robust performance for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, with a total revenue of \(12.12 billion and net income of \)2.62 billion. The company’s focus on safety, efficiency, and productivity improvements was emphasized during recent quarterly earnings calls, where executives highlighted a record low quarterly injury ratio and a 43% year-over-year reduction in train accident frequency in Q1 2025. Moreover, operational enhancements such as network fluidity, locomotive productivity, and terminal dwell improvements contributed to cost savings and service reliability.
The 2025 Q1 earnings discussions further noted labor productivity strength and strategic cost management, including a $30 million reduction in purchased services and rents despite a 3% increase in intermodal volumes. These operational efficiencies signal Norfolk Southern’s ability to balance growth with disciplined capital deployment.
Mark George, President and CEO, praised Anderson’s collaborative style and insightful leadership, stating, “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.” Anderson remarked, “Alongside the management team and dedicated employees, the board remains focused on delivering value for all our stakeholders.”
The Board has also appointed Jack Huffard, co-founder and director of Tenable Holdings, Inc., as chair of the Compensation and Talent Management Committee, reflecting continued governance strengthening. The Board reduced its size to 12 members to optimize effectiveness.
In summary, Norfolk Southern’s 2025 governance enhancements, underpinned by strong financial and operational performance, position the company advantageously amidst ongoing economic uncertainties and industry challenges. The strategic guidance of Chair Richard Anderson is expected to accelerate the company’s trajectory toward delivering sustained shareholder value while promoting safety and environmental stewardship.
For additional details, please refer to the original SEC filing: Norfolk Southern 8-K Report.
Tags: NSC, Norfolk Southern Corporation, Q2 2025, Rail Freight Operations, Board Leadership Changes, Operational Efficiency