TRANSPORTATION
Norfolk Southern board probing CEO Alan Shaw over alleged inappropriate workplace relationship

PUBLISHED SUN, SEP 8 2024 • 3:07 PM EDT UPDATED 3 HOURS AGO

Rohan Goswami
@IN/ROHANGOSWAMICNBC/
@ROGOSWAMI

KEY POINTS
• Norfolk Southern’s board is examining allegations that CEO Alan Shaw engaged in an inappropriate workplace relationship, according to people familiar with the matter.
• Shaw has been CEO of Norfolk Southern since 2022, and has faced down a toxic rail derailment and a contentious proxy fight in that time.
• The company is working with outside legal advisors on the probe, which is in its early stages and may not uncover any misconduct.


Alan Shaw, CEO, Norfolk Southern
Scott Mlyn | CNBC

Norfolk Southern’s board is examining allegations that CEO Alan Shaw engaged in an inappropriate workplace relationship, according to three people familiar with the matter.

The company confirmed late Sunday evening it was probing Shaw over “possible conduct” that violated the company’s code of ethics and that it had hired outside legal counsel to investigate. … The probe is in its early stages, and it is possible that no misconduct may be uncovered. The company is working with outside legal advisors on the probe, two of the people said.

Shaw did not return phone calls or text messages requesting comment. The board is chaired by former Canadian National Railway CEO Claude Mongeau, who also did not return requests for comment.

Norfolk Southern, a $57 billion company, is one of just a handful of Class 1 railroads left in the United States. Class 1 railroads haul huge amounts of commodities and freight, and are critical to the nation’s economy. Norfolk Southern’s operations span 22 states across the Eastern U.S.

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