NS Appoints Duncan VP, Network Planning and Ops

BNSF-veteran Paul B. Duncan is joining Norfolk Southern (NS) as Vice President of Network Planning and Operations, succeeding John Friedman, who is retiring March 1.

Duncan will start his new role at NS next month, following 19 years of service at BNSF. He is currently BNSF’s Vice President of Service Design and Performance, responsible for formulating service plans for bulk, intermodal and merchandise operations; he has also held the position of Assistant Vice President for Capacity Planning at the Class I railroad.

At NS, Duncan will lead Network Planning and Operations, a newly combined organization. It comprises Network Planning and Optimization, which develops network operating plans that drive service, productivity and growth, and the Network Operations Center, which executes the operating plan through locomotive distribution, crew management and dispatch. “Joining these two functions will improve alignment between the team responsible for developing an effective operating plan and the team that helps to implement it,” NS reported.

“Paul’s extensive experience creating strategies that improve service, productivity and growth will be critical to us as we formulate and implement TOP|SPG, our new operating plan,” Chief Operating Officer Cindy Sanborn said. “Importantly, he has played a significant role leading teams that have increased train size, grown market share, enhanced service and improved fuel efficiency—resulting in improved and more efficient operations. I’m confident he will leverage that background to help propel our company forward.”

“John [Friedman] led the transformation of our network operating plans, which has been a driving force behind our company’s growth,” Sanborn said. “His deep understanding of the North American railroad network, and experience in operations, marketing and strategy has been invaluable to our success, and he has made a lasting positive impact throughout our organization.”

Friedman served NS for 27 years.