NS appoints Cox to succeed Kesler as VP-taxation

Norfolk Southern Corp. has named Michael Cox vice president of taxation, effective March 1. He will succeed Robert Kesler, who is retiring.

Cox has held positions of increasing responsibility since he joined NS as assistant tax counsel in 2000. Prior to joining the company, he spent more than a decade in private industry and with the federal government, including serving as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice's tax division.

In his new role, Cox will be based in Norfolk, Va., until the tax department moves to Atlanta in early summer. He will report to Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer Cynthia Earhart.

"With his wealth of institutional knowledge and deep experience in corporate tax law, Mike will continue to serve Norfolk Southern and our shareholders well in his new role," Earhart said in a press release.

Kesler will retire after nearly 28 years with NS, where he has served as VP of taxation since 2005. He began his career with the railroad in 1991 as a general tax attorney.

"Over the years, Rob has ably guided [us] through a complex and ever-changing tax regulatory framework," said James Squires, NS' chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We are grateful for the support he has contributed on so many issues during his nearly three decades of service."