On November 11, during a sign unveiling ceremony, Kansas City Southern (KCS) renamed its intermodal facility in Wylie, Texas, the David L. Starling Wylie Intermodal Terminal. The ceremony at the terminal was attended by the KCS Board of Directors and officers and local civic officials.
The intermodal terminal opened for operations on July 13, 2015, serving domestic and international intermodal customers, bringing a new gateway to Wylie and Collin County and offering KCS customers the opportunity to move their goods to a national and international market. Since the opening, former KCS president and CEO David L. Starling retired from his position and Patrick J. Ottensmeyer was named president and CEO, effective July 1, 2016.
“It was Dave’s vision that brought this facility to fruition, so it is appropriate that it be renamed in his honor,” stated Ottensmeyer. “We greatly appreciate Dave’s service and direction as chief executive officer over the last six years. KCS’ performance during his tenure as CEO is truly remarkable, and much of the company’s success can be attributed to his leadership. KCS wishes Dave and his wife, Candace, the very best in retirement.”
With more than 40 years in the transportation business, Starling began his railroad career in 1971 with the St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad (the Frisco). Over the next 14 years, he held various positions in rail operations at the Frisco and later at Burlington Northern (BN) when the Frisco was merged into BN. He joined American President Lines (APL) in 1988 as managing director of stack train operations for the Chicago region and later the Southern region.
From 1993 to 1994, Starling served as APL’s managing director of the Philippines, with responsibility for all regional functions, including financial, legal and governmental relations. In 1995, he became APL’s managing director for Hong Kong/South China region and later became vice president for Central Asia, responsible for China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. In 1999, he was named president and director general of Panama Canal Railway Company (PCRC) with responsibility for the reconstruction and operation of the railroad.
In July 2008, Starling joined KCS as president and chief operating officer and Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCSR) as director, president and CEO. He was elected to the KCS Board of Directors in May 2010, and in August 2010 was named KCS CEO.
Starling was awarded Railway Age’s Railroader of the Year in 2012.