NS Hosts Inaugural Thoroughbred Sustainability Award Winners in Atlanta

Earlier this week, Norfolk Southern hosted the Thoroughbred Sustainability Partner Awards gala, welcoming the inaugural winners at our Atlanta headquarters. This special meeting of sustainability executives and leadership gave a deserved recognition to our partners for their efforts in energy efficiency, innovation, and environmental stewardship.

Norfolk Southern EVP and Chief Transformation Officer Annie Adams welcomed the group to 650 WPT, one of the few LEED Gold-certified buildings in Georgia. She reminded us of the vital role that the Norfolk Southern team has played in helping our customers and channel partners keep their sustainability goals on track.

“We congratulate our customers, suppliers, and channel partner winners on their impressive sustainability achievements,” Adams remarked. “Norfolk Southern is proud to collaborate with each of these outstanding companies. Through the Partner Council, we look forward to furthering our shared commitment to make our supply chain greener and more efficient.”

The fifteen Thoroughbred Sustainability Partner Awards winners honored on Tuesday represent the unlimited potential for sustainability leadership in America.

The new Partner Council will meet quarterly to share resources and best practices to collectively move sustainability goals forward across the Norfolk Southern network.

After the award ceremony, honorees and guests attended two panels for deeper insights into the recognized programs. The “Transport Emissions Panel” moderated by Norfolk Southern Director of Fuel Efficiency Jamie Helmer showcased Marathon Petroleum’s investments in renewables and emerging technologies, UPS’ fleet efficiencies, Wabtec’s role in DC to AC locomotive conversions, and Virginia Port Authority’s improvements in decarbonizing operations. Discussing “Supply Chain Sustainability & Data Integrity,” Vice President of Automotive D’Andrae Larry explored conversations around Georgia Ports Authority’s innovative Mason Mega Rail facility, Outokumpu reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and Ford Motor Company’s growing BlueOval Charge Network for electric vehicles.

“Recognizing these outstanding partners is but one step in fully living our company’s values,” said Josh Raglin, Chief Sustainability Officer. “By increasing collaboration among customers, suppliers, and other partners, we can more easily implement lasting change to build a better and more sustainable future.”

The Thoroughbred Sustainability Partner Awards program was launched to create a collaborative place to learn from one another, leverage sustainability efforts to differentiate our brands, and accelerate shared goals together. 

“This award highlights the strategic role our locomotive modernization program plays in helping rail customers reach their ambitious emissions-reduction and sustainability goals,” said Pascal Schweitzer, President, Global Freight Services for Wabtec. “Norfolk Southern continues to be an industry leader in modernizing their locomotive fleet and was Wabtec’s first mods’ customer. I am proud of the partnership we have built together.” 

Norfolk Southern will continue to engage with the Partner Council to address leading sustainability topics and initiatives throughout the remainder of 2023, with a new group of winners to join the council following next year’s Thoroughbred Sustainability Partner Awards.