News Content

CSX names Jim Foote CEO on sudden death legendary Hunter Harrison

ACTING CSX chief executive Jim Foote has been given the job on a permanent basis after the sudden death of legendary railway man E Hunter Harrison who went on medical leave on December 14 and died two days later in Wellington, Florida.

The board unanimously voted to name James M Foote as the Jacksonville-based company's new president and chief executive officer, effective immediately.

"Jim has decades of railroading experience and the board is confident of his ability to lead the company," said CSX chairman Edward Kelly, reported Jacksonville-based American Shipper.

A 40-year railway industry veteran with experience in finance, operations and sales and marketing, Mr Foote was named executive vice president and chief operating officer of CSX in October 2017.

Before that, he was CEO Bright Rail Energy, a technology company formed in 2012 to design, develop and sell products that allow railways to switch locomotives to natural gas power.

Before that, he was executive vice president of sales and marketing with Canadian National Railway. He joined Canadian National in 1995 as vice president of investor relations to assist the company's privatisation.

"I worked alongside Hunter for over a decade and his pioneering approach to railroading unlocked significant efficiencies and value, and we remain focused on delivering on this vision for CSX, our customers and our shareholders," Mr Foote said in a statement on his appointment.

Mr Foote began as a labourer with the Soo Line Railroad in Superior, Wisconsin in 1972. For nine years, he worked union operating positions with the Soo Line and Chicago North Western full time while earning his undergraduate and law degrees.