Sanborn to leave NS, Duncan named successor

Norfolk Southern Railway announced today that Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Cindy Sanborn will step down at year's end after a 35-year career in railroading. She will be succeeded by Senior VP of Transportation and Network Operations Paul Duncan on Jan. 1, 2023.

"Cindy joined Norfolk Southern during the pandemic and helped us navigate a global supply-chain disruption. She strengthened our culture, served as an effective ambassador with our outside stakeholders and was part of a team effort that has achieved significant improvements in service," said NS President and CEO Alan Shaw in a press release.

Sanborn’s impact on the industry extends beyond NS. She was the first female COO of a U.S. Class I, Shaw noted.

"She has been a trailblazer and an inspiration to many in the industry," he said.

Sanborn said she's proud of the company's gains in service, safety and culture during her 2.5-year stint at NS.

"As Norfolk Southern prepares to take the next step with our growth strategy, it's the right time for our next generation of talented operations leaders to take the reins," she said.

Sanborn came to NS from Union Pacific Railroad, where she was VP of network planning and oversaw all activities in the northern region. Prior to UP, Sanborn held various leadership positions during a 30-year tenure at CSX.

Duncan joined NS in March as VP of network planning and operations, and was promoted in September to his current role. He led the Class I’s implementation of the TOP|SPG operating plan and played a central role in the company's service recovery efforts, NS officials said.

"He combines a deep understanding of precision scheduled railroading with a strong customer-centric mindset, and appreciates the need to balance service, productivity and growth," said Shaw.

Prior to joining NS, Duncan was VP of service design and performance at BNSF Railway Co. He has more than 20 years of experience in railroad operations.