Michael A. Farrell
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) has named Michael A. Farrell senior vice president transportation, effective immediately. Farrell will report to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Michael J. Wheeler and be responsible for all transportation operations, division mechanical, and rail terminal management functions.
Farrell has served NS in a consulting role for more than a year, leading “Clean Sheeting” teams across the network. Clean Sheeting is a process to redesign local operations without preconceptions, starting in terminals and local serving yards where cars accumulate, to increase network velocity and generate efficiencies. The process is providing a foundation for NS’s new operating plan, which is currently in development.
Before joining NS, Farrell served as general manager operations and mechanical of Canadian Pacific Railway’s prairie and U.S. west divisions, as well as general manager for the U.S. network operations center in Minneapolis. Previously, he served as general superintendent Chicago Terminal of Canadian National Railway and general superintendent terminals, North America, reporting directly to the chief operating officer. He began his career in 1990 at Union Pacific Railroad.
“Mike Farrell has already demonstrated his ability to lead our efforts to pursue a faster and more efficient railroad,” said Wheeler. “His extensive experience in the rail industry will bring valuable insight to the Norfolk Southern team as we develop and implement a new operating plan. We’re excited to have Mike assume a central leadership role as we drive further velocity improvements and efficiency through our new strategic plan.”
Farrell earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma State University.