Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) has appointed three vice presidents in the its transformation, transportation, and law departments. The appointments are effective immediately.
Greg Comstock, formerly general manager network operations center and general manager Southern Region, has been appointed vice president network operations. Patrick Whitehead, who served as assistant vice president mechanical and general manager Northern Region, has been named vice president transportation. Lorri Kleine, formerly senior general counsel workforce, properties, insurance risk management, has been appointed vice president law.
“These leaders have made important contributions to the company, and I am pleased to announce their well-deserved promotions,” remarked James A. Squires, NS chairman, president and CEO. “Greg and Pat have played significant roles in our ongoing and successful implementation of precision scheduled railroading, and Lorri is a Norfolk Southern leader with extensive legal and external strategic governance experience.”
“We have a deep and talented team at Norfolk Southern and we are aligned and working together to successfully execute the third phase of our operating plan to deliver significant value for our shareholders and customers,” added Squires.
Comstock and Whitehead, who together have more than 60 years of experience at NS, have served as general managers of the company’s Southern and Northern regions, respectively, and have generated efficiencies and controlled costs while providing transportation service to customers. In their new roles, they will collaborate to execute the company’s operating plan and achieve further efficiencies across the railroad.
Comstock will oversee the Network Operations Center, including centralized dispatching, as well as related service and support functions. Whitehead will be responsible for the management of transportation field operations, including execution of TOP21, the railroad’s precision scheduled railroading operating plan.
Kleine has joined the NS Law team in 1994 and has extensive experience managing legal matters. As vice president law, she will oversee legal, claims, investigative, compliance, and risk management matters for the department.
NS has also announced the promotion of Josh Raglin, formerly general manager facilities, to chief sustainability officer. As general manager, he led nine of the company’s forest conservation and sustainability projects. In his new role, he will be responsible for advancing the integration of sustainability practices into daily operations.
“Norfolk Southern is an industry leader in corporate social responsibility and our new chief sustainability officer role further aligns our business strategy with the interests of our stakeholders,” said Squires. “Josh’s experience and knowledge will be invaluable as we work to fulfill our commitment to environmental, social, and governance practices that positively impact the environment, while simultaneously supporting the growth and evolution of our company.”