Kansas City Southern's Wochner to retire as SVP, chief legal officer

Kansas City Southern yesterday announced the retirement of W. James Wochner as senior vice president and chief legal officer, effective March 31, 2019.

In addition, Adam Godderz will be promoted from associate general counsel and corporate secretary to general counsel and corporate secretary for KCS and the Kansas City Southern Railway Co. on Jan. 1, 2019, company officials said in a press release.

Wochner joined KCS in 1981 as general attorney and was named senior vice president of marketing in 1992. Two years later, he became VP and general solicitor in the legal department; in 2005, he was named VP sales and marketing of the coal business unit and contracts.

By 2006, Wochner had returned to the company's legal department as VP and associate general counsel. He was named to his current role in 2007. He has been practicing law since 1972.

Wochner is an "industry icon and highly respected by his peers and colleagues," said KCS President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Ottensmeyer.

"His legal expertise and institutional knowledge will be very difficult to replace," he added.

Godderz joined KCS in 2007 as associate general counsel and supported sales and marketing, purchasing and financial transactions. In 2013, he became associate general counsel and corporate secretary, and by 2015, he was appointed VP labor relations. Godderz held that position until May, when he joined the legal department.

"In his six years as associate general counsel and corporate secretary at KCS, Adam Godderz has demonstrated exceptional talent as a lawyer and adviser to the CEO and board of directors, as well as very strong leadership qualities," said Ottensmeyer.