Norfolk Southern names Lori J. Ryerkerk to board of directors

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Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) has appointed Lori J. Ryerkerk to its Board of Directors, expanding it to 14 members. Ryerkerk, the former chairman, CEO, and president of Celanese Corp., brings over three decades of global leadership experience in energy, manufacturing, and chemical industries.

The appointment, made in consultation with Ancora Holdings per their November 2024 agreement, followed a national search by Diversified Search Group. During her tenure at Celanese from 2019, Ryerkerk led significant growth initiatives and transformative acquisitions. Her previous experience includes executive roles at Shell Downstream, Hess Corp., and ExxonMobil.

Mark George, Norfolk Southern's CEO, highlighted Ryerkerk's operational experience and insights as a rail customer as valuable assets for the company's growth strategy and service delivery goals.

Positive

• Addition of board member with extensive operational and supply chain management experience
• Strategic appointment of former CEO of a Fortune 500 company
• Brings perspective as a large rail customer, beneficial for service improvements
• Appointment aligns with previously announced agreement with Ancora Holdings

Negative

• None.

ATLANTA, Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) has appointed Lori J. Ryerkerk, former chairman, chief executive officer, and president of Celanese Corp., to the Board of Directors (the "Board"). Ryerkerk brings more than three decades of global leadership experience in the energy, manufacturing, and chemical industries. Her appointment expands the Board to 14 members.

"Lori's extensive experience leading global operations and managing complex supply chain systems is a highly complementary addition to our board," said Mark George, president and chief executive officer of Norfolk Southern. "Her strong operational acumen and insights as a large rail customer will be tremendous assets as we continue establishing a disciplined and operationally led network to drive long-term growth and deliver exceptional service to our customers and the communities where we operate."

Claude Mongeau, chair of Norfolk Southern's board, added: "Lori's leadership as a public company CEO and her ability to foster a culture of high performance and top-notch execution align perfectly with Norfolk Southern's strategic vision. Her insights will help us position Norfolk Southern as the premiere choice to help our customers deliver for the American economy and grow year over year."

"Joining the Norfolk Southern board is an honor," said Lori J. Ryerkerk. "Railroads are vital to the global economy, and I'm inspired by Norfolk Southern's commitment to operational excellence, enhancing safety, and driving sustainable growth. I look forward to contributing to its continued success and delivering additional value to our stakeholders."

Ryerkerk was identified through a national search conducted by Diversified Search Group and selected in consultation with Ancora Holdings. This appointment is made pursuant to the terms of the agreement between Norfolk Southern Corporation and Ancora Holdings that was announced in November 2024, in which the parties agreed to work together in identifying an independent director to join the Board.

More about Lori J. Ryerkerk
Lori J. Ryerkerk is the former chairman, chief executive officer, and president of Celanese Corp., a Fortune 500 global chemical and specialty materials company based in Dallas, Texas. She joined Celanese in 2019 as CEO and became chairman in 2020. Under her leadership, Celanese achieved significant growth, completed transformative acquisitions, and advanced its industry-leading safety performance.

Ryerkerk's expertise in the energy industry spans more than 30 years. She served as executive vice president of global manufacturing at Shell Downstream Inc., overseeing operations at refineries and chemical sites worldwide. Prior to Shell, she held senior leadership roles at Hess Corp. and ExxonMobil, where she gained extensive experience in refining, chemicals, and global operations.

She holds a chemical engineering degree from Iowa State University and currently serves on the board of Eaton Corp., a leader in power management technologies. Her leadership and expertise in operations, safety, and sustainability make her a valuable addition to Norfolk Southern's board.

For more information about Norfolk Southern's board of directors and corporate governance, visit NorfolkSouthern.com.

About Norfolk Southern
Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a 22-state freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver approximately 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S. It serves a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as major ports in the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com. 

 

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SOURCE Norfolk Southern Corporation

FAQ

Who is the new board member appointed to Norfolk Southern (NSC) in January 2025?

Lori J. Ryerkerk, former chairman, CEO, and president of Celanese Corp., was appointed to Norfolk Southern's Board of Directors in January 2025.

How many members are now on Norfolk Southern's (NSC) board after the January 2025 appointment?

The appointment of Lori J. Ryerkerk expanded Norfolk Southern's Board of Directors to 14 members.

What is Lori Ryerkerk's experience relevant to Norfolk Southern (NSC)?

Ryerkerk brings over 30 years of global leadership experience in energy, manufacturing, and chemical industries, including executive roles at Shell Downstream, Hess Corp., and ExxonMobil.

How was the new Norfolk Southern (NSC) board member selected?

Ryerkerk was identified through a national search conducted by Diversified Search Group and selected in consultation with Ancora Holdings, following their November 2024 agreement.

What are the expected benefits of Ryerkerk's appointment to Norfolk Southern (NSC)?

Her operational experience, insights as a rail customer, and expertise in managing complex supply chain systems are expected to help drive long-term growth and improve service delivery.