Squires will continue in his current capacity as president and with all major divisions reporting to him, while Moorman will continue as executive chairman of the board of directors. Moorman and Squires will work closely together to ensure a seamless transition of leadership responsibilities.
“Jim has the right experience and vision to advance Norfolk Southern’s traditions of safety and service,” board member Steven F. Leer says. “NS is well-positioned to continue leading and innovating, and the board of directors is confident in the ability of the entire Thoroughbred team to deliver for our customers, shareholders, and communities.”
“Building on our record results in 2014, we are entering a great new time of performance and possibilities,” Moorman says. “Thanks to the dedication of Norfolk Southern people, the support of our customers and business partners, and the outstanding leadership team in place at Norfolk Southern – led by Jim Squires – I am confident that the company is poised for continued growth, success, and shareholder value creation.”
“Leading NS is an incredible honor,” Squires says. “I join our 30,000 employees in pledging that we will do everything possible to exceed the expectations of our shareholders and the people and businesses who depend on us. We welcome that opportunity, and we will meet that challenge.”
Squires, 53, joined NS in 1992 and served in several law positions before being named vice president of law in 2003, senior vice president of law in 2004, senior vice president of financial planning in 2006, executive vice president of finance in 2007, executive vice president of administration in 2012, and president in 2013.
A native of Hollis, N.H., Squires is a graduate of Amherst College, where he received a bachelor of arts in Ancient Greek in 1983. After graduation, he spent a year as Amherst-Doshisha Fellow at Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan. He then served in the U.S. Army from 1985 to 1989. In 1992, he received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Chicago Law School, where he has served as a member of the Visiting Committee.
What was the point in restoring 611 then if it only had one year of service? 4501 and 630 at least has a 50 mile shortline to run on. 765 however needs to use NS to get anywhere. I hope Squires doesn't pull a David Goode on us and decide to end it all. 611 has nowhere to run except on NS. If CP would take over NS then you can really say bye bye to steam. Some railroads like UP and ones in the UK understand the value of mainline steam. Oh, British steam locos are ugly.
I agree with Gus I have not herd anything about the NS steam program I hope it is not shut down.
Jim Squires has a hell of an act to follow. As a NS fan and stockholder we all wish him success. We can't expect him to have "Race Horse" Smiths' operating experience but it would be nice if he did.
Only time will tell.
Mr. Jeffries, I would remind you and all that Graham Claytor was himself a 'legal beagle' when hired by Brosnan to be VP law for the Southern and would go on to run the railway and later Amtrak. For the most part he knew what he was doing.
Someone should ask him if he plans to continue the steam program…
So Mr. Squires is a legal beagle, and it doesn't look like he has ever had an operating assignment, even just to get his ticket to the top punched. One wonders how well, if at all, he will be able to relate to the front line operating people and the daily problems they face trying to hold the railroad together and keep things moving.
Will Jim Squires continue to paint locomotives in special paint schemes? Will he help in Norfolk Southerns efforts to fire up more steam locomotives. Someone should have an answer to those questions soon, because these CEO transitions really do scare me sometimes.
To the question Mr. Lipnitz voiced: "…Someone should ask him if he plans to continue the steam program…" I would certainly hope that someone can ask this question… And fairly soon. Would be a good point for a Jim Wrenn Interview ! I cannot think of anyone whop is not suspicious of Lawyers, and' Bean Counters' . NS has a respected body of Goodwill in its areas of operation.
Would hate to see that squandered.
I worked in the operating dept. for 44 years. It is a two edged sword to become a top exec. from operations. The good is they know the railroad works. the bad is, as I heard one asst. supt. say " those damn customers, don't they understand that we have a railroad to run here. Best of luck Mr. Squires.
Mr. Carleton, I would remind you that Mr. Claytor was also a war hero and a proven leader of men before joining the Southern, and had a reputation as an "operations" man (to quote Wikipedia), and I don't see any sign of this in Mr. Squires background, and all the statements I have read so far mention what a great thing this is for the shareholders first, and then oh by the way, also our customers and employees. We will wait and see I guess…