Norfolk Southern names new VP of government relations

Norfolk-based Norfolk Southern Corp. announced on Tuesday that its board of directors has elected Frank Voyack as the company’s vice president of government relations, effective May 1. Voyack succeeds Marque Ledoux, who is retiring after 18 years with the Fortune 500 freight railroad.

In his new role, Voyack will lead Norfolk Southern’s efforts in Washington, D.C., overseeing the railroad’s federal, state and local government relations. Voyack joined Norfolk Southern in 2008 and most recently served as assistant vice president of government relations. Voyack is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and also holds a master’s from Georgetown University.

“We look forward to Frank’s leadership of our government relations efforts,” said Vanessa Allen Sutherland, Norfolk Southern executive vice president and chief legal officer, in a statement. “He knows NS well and will continue our tradition of being bipartisan, steady and proactive.”

Ledoux’s retirement comes at the end of a distinguished career in the transportation industry. Prior to joining Norfolk Southern, he worked for 16 years at FedEx Corp. in several public relations and government relations positions.

“Marque has been an invaluable part of the Thoroughbred team,” Sutherland said. “His wealth of knowledge and well-rounded leadership have positively impacted who we are as a company and advanced our interests on Capitol Hill and beyond.”

Norfolk Southern plans to relocate its headquarters from Norfolk to Atlanta this summer. Its subsidiary, Norfolk Southern Railway Co., operates approximately 19,300 route miles in 22 states and Washington, D.C.