Robert Powell, III// September 23, 2015//
Michael Wheeler has been named executive vice president and chief operating officer at Norfolk Southern Corp., succeeding COO Mark Manion.
The appointment takes effect on Feb. 1 when Manion retires.
In addition, Cindy C. Earhart will become executive vice president administration and chief information officer on Oct 1. She is assuming responsibility for the company’s information technology department following the retirement of Deborah H. Butler.
The appointments were announced on Tuesday, the same day that Norfolk Southern said Charles W. “Wick” Moorman is stepping as executive chairman of the company’s board of directors. He will be succeeded by President and CEO James A. Squires on Oct. 1.
Moorman will serve as a member of the board of directors and senior adviser to Squires from Oct. 1 until Dec. 31 when he will retire.
Before assuming COO duties, Wheeler will serve as senior vice president operations, effective Oct. 1 through Jan. 31. Wheeler has served as vice president engineering since 2012.
Earhart has been executive vice president administration since 2013.
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