NS: Squires becomes president, five other execs assume new roles

Norfolk Southern Corp. on Friday announced the appointment of James Squires as president, effective June 1. He currently is executive vice president of administration.

In his new role, Squires will be responsible for the corporation's administration, finance, law and corporate relations, as well as the planning and information technology divisions. He joined NS in 1992 and previously served as VP of law, SVP of law, SVP of financial planning and EVP of finance.

"Jim is a forward-thinking railroader and a well-tested leader," said Wick Moorman, who had held the title of president and will continue to serve as chairman and chief executive officer, in a prepared statement. "As president, he will ensure that Norfolk Southern stays at the forefront of strategic planning, innovation and financial performance."

NS also announced that Cindy Earhart will become EVP of administration to succeed Squires, effective June 1. Currently VP of human resources, Earhart joined NS in 1985 as supervisor of subsidiary accounting and later held key accounting and information technology positions.
 
In addition, Juan Cunningham, currently an assistant VP, will become VP of human resources to succeed Earhart. He joined the Class I in 1973 as a management trainee in engineering and later held positions of increasing responsibility in human resources.

NS also announced the following executive changes, all of which take effect July 1:

• Daniel Smith, SVP of energy and properties since 2003, has elected to retire after a 37-year career with the railroad;

• David Lawson, currently VP of industrial products, will become VP of coal marketing;

• Michael McClellan, currently VP of intermodal and automotive marketing, will become VP of industrial products; and

• Jeffrey Heller, currently group VP of international intermodal, will become VP of intermodal and automotive marketing.

Lawson joined NS in 1988 as a sales representative and served in various capacities in the automotive supply chain group and as president of Modalgistics; McClellan joined Conrail's general marketing and sales organization in 1985 and became AVP of performance planning for NS in 1998; and Heller joined NS' intermodal department in 1994 as a marketing manager and has served as group VP of international intermodal since 2004.