NORFOLK, Va., April 23, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern announced today that its board of directors has elected Thomas W. "Tom" Schnautz and Edward F. "Ed" Boyle Jr. to new positions of responsibility as part of a restructuring of the railroad's Engineering Department.

Effective May 1, Schnautz is vice president advanced train control, a newly created position, and Boyle becomes vice president engineering to replace Phil Merilli upon his retirement from the company.

Under the restructuring, Schnautz will be responsible for the effective deployment and maintenance of positive train control and other advanced technologies, communications and signals systems, and locomotives. Boyle will be responsible for the design, construction, inspection, and maintenance of railroad infrastructure, including track, bridges, and vehicle fleet.

They will report to Chief Operating Officer Michael J. "Mike" Wheeler.

"Tom and Ed are proven leaders who bring valuable experience and energy to their new roles as they help Norfolk Southern reimagine possible in all aspects of our operations," Wheeler said. "As they advance our initiatives into next-generation railroading, I extend thanks to Phil for his strong leadership and efforts in developing a diverse and deeply talented team, ensuring a strong foundation for the future."

Schnautz joined NS in 1993 as an engineering management trainee. He has held positions of increasing responsibility in both the engineering and mechanical departments. Since June 2018, he has served in the Engineering Department as assistant vice president C&S and Advanced Train Control, leading the company's efforts to install and implement PTC technologies.

Boyle joined the company in 1994 as an engineering management trainee. He has held positions of increasing responsibility in both the engineering and transportation departments. Since October 2015, he has served in the Engineering Department as assistant vice president maintenance of way and structures.

Merilli retires after a railroad career spanning more than 40 years. He joined an NS predecessor line in 1981 as an assistant roadmaster. During his years at NS, Merilli served in a variety of engineering positions, including track supervisor, division engineer, chief engineer line maintenance, and AVP maintenance of way and structures. He was named vice president engineering in October 2015.

About Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 19,500 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern is a major transporter of industrial products, including chemicals, agriculture, and metals and construction materials. In addition, the railroad operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a principal carrier of coal, automobiles, and automotive parts.

http://www.norfolksouthern.com

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/norfolk-southern-appoints-schnautz-and-boyle-as-vice-presidents-merilli-to-retire-300836590.html

SOURCE Norfolk Southern Corporation