NS taps Loeb to oversee first-and-last-mile markets

Norfolk Southern Railway yesterday announced that Stefan Loeb will join the Class I as vice president of first-and-last-mile markets.

Loeb comes to NS from Watco Cos., where he’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer. At NS, Loeb will report to Chief Marketing Officer Ed Elkins as of April 2. His new role prioritizes innovation around first- and final-mile products and processes key to short- and long-term development, NS officials said in a press release.

Also yesterday, NS announced Yannik Thomas will become VP of intermodal and automotive operations on April 2. Thomas will move to the position after previously serving as assistant vice president of financial planning and analysis since 2020.

In his new role, Thomas will focus on delivering a "high-quality customer experience, efficient and proactive management of terminal and equipment services, development and implementation of system design engineering solutions and alignment with enterprise commercial and operating strategies," NS officials said.

NS’ current marketing leadership team also includes Leggett Kitchen, VP of industrial products; Shawn Tureman, VP of intermodal and automotive marketing; and Kathleen Smith, VP of business development and real estate.

Meanwhile, Loeb’s new role at NS is prompting a leadership shuffle at the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), where Loeb has been serving as the association’s chairman. ASLRRA officials announced yesterday that Matt Walsh, executive VP of global corporate development at Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc., will succeed Loeb as chair. Currently, Walsh is ASLRRA’s vice chairman.

"We thank Stefan for his tremendous contributions to the association and to the industry. Although we will certainly miss his leadership, we are excited to see him step into a critical new role at Norfolk Southern. Having one of our own selected for this important position is a great sign for short lines, and I’m excited about what this may mean for the Class I approach to short lines,” said ASLRRA President Chuck Baker in a press release.