Orr replaces Paul Duncan, who had been Norfolk Southern’s COO for a bit of greater than a yr, becoming a member of the corporate from BNSF Railway.In a written assertion, CEO Alan Shaw thanked Duncan “for the management, ardour, and dedication he dropped at Norfolk Southern all through his tenure. His contributions have been instrumental in enhancing our security tradition and enhancing our service product. On behalf of the administration crew, I want Paul all one of the best in his future endeavors.”The transfer comes after Ancora Holdings Group, an Ohio-based activist funding agency, pushed for former UPS Chief Working Officer Jim Barber to switch Shaw, and for former CSX govt Jamie Boychuk to be named COO.Ancora mentioned change was wanted to show Norfolk Southern into “a safer, extra sustainable railroad that’s rising profitably whereas additionally yielding extra stability for purchasers and staff.” The railroad has confronted harsh scrutiny for the reason that derailment of its prepare carrying hazardous supplies in East Palestine, Ohio, greater than a yr in the past.Norfolk Southern’s unbiased board chair Amy Miles mentioned Shaw and the board “took decisive motion in recruiting John (Orr), an distinctive expertise who will assist speed up the execution of our technique and ship outcomes for our shareholders.”Orr spent a lot of his profession at Canadian Nationwide Railway, the place he began out as a conductor and rose to chief transportation officer in 2018, earlier than departing the corporate the next yr. He was additionally a union consultant for 15 years.“I’m excited to work with the total management crew and the corporate’s devoted craft railroaders to boost working efficiency and strengthen Norfolk Southern’s business management for years to come back,” Orr mentioned in a written assertion.At CPKC, Orr remediated the railroad’s Mexican operations by implementing a “high-efficiency working mannequin,” in response to Norfolk Southern. Orr is also referred to as an knowledgeable in precision scheduled railroading, a system to extend effectivity and scale back prices that has generated some criticism due to considerations about results on rail security. Norfolk Southern mentioned at Canadian Nationwide Railway, Orr drove enhancements in security and operational efficiency.Miles known as Orr “a confirmed railroad operator” and mentioned “we’re assured he brings the fitting expertise and expertise to drive worthwhile development over the long run.”’Norfolk Southern additionally introduced the date – Could 9 – of its annual assembly, the place shareholders will vote on whether or not to approve Norfolk Southern’s proposed board members, or Ancora’s competing slate as a part of a plan to switch Shaw as CEO.In a letter to shareholders, Norfolk Southern’s board mentioned it’s “overseeing a wholesale transformation of Norfolk Southern.” It mentioned Shaw “successfully led the corporate via a difficult company disaster” and has prioritized reorienting the corporate’s technique, “tackling operational efficiency points” and making security enhancements.”These initiatives required short-term setbacks to each service and profitability,” the board acknowledged.Norfolk Southern’s 2023 revenue was down 44% in comparison with 2022, because the railroad amassed greater than $1 billion in expenses from the East Palestine derailment. The corporate’s board contends that Ancora’s technique “provides vital threat to our transition,” saying Ancora’s proposed CEO candidate, Barber, has no CEO expertise and isn’t conversant in railroad operations.