Thorne succeeds Galligan as head of KCS' investor relations

Kansas City Southern has promoted Ashley Thorne from assistant vice president to vice president of investor relations. She succeeds William Galligan, who retired, and reports to KCS Executive VP and Chief Financial Officer Michael Upchurch.

Galligan joined KCS in 1992 and developed the company’s corporate communications and investor relations programs. He became AVP of investor relations for both the railroad and the company’s financial services companies in 1992, and VP of investor relations in 2008.  Prior to joining KCS, Galligan worked for 13 years for a publicly-owned electric utility in Connecticut.
 
"I would like to thank Bill for his outstanding efforts to serve the investment community for 25 years, and always representing KCS as a shareholder-friendly company,” said Upchurch in a press release.

Thorne has 17 years of corporate financial experience. She joined KCS in 2008 and since has held positions in treasury, corporate insurance, financial planning and analysis, and investor relations. Prior to joining the Class I, she spent seven years in the financial and consumer products industries.

“[Ashley] has led the investor relations department since February 2017 and has continued the strong legacy established by Bill to be a world-class investor relations function that is accessible, responsive and informative for investors and analysts,” said Upchurch.

Meanwhile, KCS also announced yesterday that due to congressional passage of The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the railroad will share some of its tax benefits with qualified, non-executive employees. Each will receive a one-time $1,000 bonus payable by year’s end.