NS to realign exec reporting structure for IT, strategic planning

Norfolk Southern Corp. will realign the reporting structure for the Strategic Planning and Information Technology departments as of Oct. 1, the company announced yesterday.

Strategic Planning will report to President and Chief Executive Officer James Squires, and Information Technology will report to Executive Vice President of Administration Cindy Earhart, according to an NS press release.

Both key departments previously reported to Deborah Butler, executive vice president of planning and chief information officer, who announced her retirement effective Oct. 1.

"We seek opportunities to streamline our structure at every level throughout the NS organization," said Squires. "These changes employ our resources to the best advantage while maintaining the full capabilities of our planning and IT teams."

Earhart, who joined NS in 1985, has served in positions of increasing responsibility in accounting, information technology and human resources. She was promoted to executive vice president of administration in 2013.

John Friedmann, vice president of strategic planning since 2008, and Fredric Ehlers, vice president of information technology since 2013, will report to Squires and Earhart, respectively, under the new structure.

Butler will retire after a 37-year career in transportation, customer service, planning, technology and sustainability.