Former Amtrak CEO Anderson Is Norfolk Southern Chair

By Rail Passengers Staff

Richard Anderson, the former Delta CEO and Chairman who led Amtrak as CEO from 2017 to 2020, was unanimously elected yesterday as the independent Chair of Norfolk Southern’s board of directors.

Anderson joined the board last May following a shareholder initiative to shake up the board’s composition.

In addition to chairing N-S, Anderson will lead the Executive Committee and the Strategy & Planning Committee, the railroad said in a press release announcing his selection. Norfolk Southern added that “the board has agreed to reduce its size to 12 members and remaining committee chairs will continue in their existing positions.”

"Since the very beginning of his time on our board, Richard has contributed deep, experience-based business insight and a collaborative style that has helped drive cohesion among the newly-constituted Board," Mark George, President and CEO of Norfolk Southern, said in the prepared statement. "I look forward to working with him in this new capacity as we continue to build on Norfolk Southern's strong momentum, advance our strategic priorities, and deliver long-term value for our shareholders, customers, and employees."

The release quoted Anderson as saying, "During my year on the board, I've seen firsthand how the Norfolk Southern team has propelled the company forward — delivering strong performance for stakeholders and becoming an even safer, more efficient railroad. Alongside the management team and dedicated employees, the board remains focused on delivering value for all our stakeholders."

Apart from his Amtrak tenure and leadership at Delta, he previously led Optum Health predecessor United Healthcare as President. An attorney by training, he worked as a prosecutor for the district attorney of Harris County, Tex., before being recruited into a legal role at Continental Airlines.