Leadership Biographies

Mark George is President and Chief Executive Officer at Norfolk Southern Corporation. Since 1827, Norfolk Southern has safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network that serves a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to more than 54 inland, lake, river, and sea ports. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. The railroad’s dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, operate the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern US, and originate more automotive traffic than any other Class I Railroad.

In his current role, George oversees all areas of the company’s business and operations, building a customer-centric and operations-driven organization. George has more than 30 years of experience in financial management, strategy, and business development. During his time at Norfolk Southern, he has enhanced the company’s focus on productivity and cost control – utilizing his expertise across multiple industrial segments. Most recently, George served as Chief Financial Officer and first joined the company in 2019. In that role, George was responsible for overseeing the company’s Finance teams as well as Investor Relations, Sourcing, and Corporate Strategy teams.

Prior to joining Norfolk Southern, he held successive roles of responsibility across multiple commercial and business segments of United Technologies Corporation and its subsidiaries, including six years in Asia as the regional CFO for the Otis Elevator Company. He held roles of increasing responsibility and ultimately served as the Global CFO for both the Otis Elevator Company and the Carrier Corporation from 2008 to 2019.

George is also on the Board of Directors for Trane Technologies plc (NYSE: TT), where he serves on the Finance and Audit Committees. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of Georgia.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Central Connecticut State University and an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

• Drives innovative technology strategies that balance service, productivity, growth, and safety for Norfolk Southern.
• Expertise in embedding AI and exponential technologies to enhance customer and employee experiences.
• Proven leader in building secure, resilient technology infrastructures aligned with enterprise growth and business priorities.

Anil Bhatt is EVP and Chief Information and Digital at Norfolk Southern Corporation. Since 1827, Norfolk Southern has safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and is the largest rail shipper of auto products and metals in North America. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S., serving a majority of the country’s population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes.

Appointed Chief Information and Digital Officer in 2024, Bhatt is focused on fortifying Norfolk Southern’s technology infrastructure, with a commitment to enhancing security, resilience, and operational excellence. He will help drive the company’s digital transformation efforts, embedding AI and advanced technologies to optimize customer and employee experiences while supporting the company’s overall strategy of balanced service, productivity, and growth. Bhatt works closely across teams to ensure process discipline in technology decision-making and alignment with business priorities, advancing Norfolk Southern’s competitive edge.

Before joining Norfolk Southern, Bhatt served as the Global Chief Information Officer at Elevance Health, a Fortune 25 healthcare company with over 100,000 employees and more than $150 billion in annual revenue. At Elevance Health, Bhatt led significant technological advancements, including cloud migration and the integration of AI-powered platforms, driving enterprise growth and operational efficiencies. His experience includes leadership roles at IAC Inc. and Procter & Gamble, where he gained deep expertise in technology innovation and transformation across multiple industries. In 2022, he was recognized as one of the Forbes Top 100 CIOs and, in 2023, he was a Super Global ORBIE award recipient.

Bhatt holds a degree in Computer Science and Engineering from BSF Institute of Technology & Science.

Ed Elkins is EVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Norfolk Southern Corporation. Since 1827, Norfolk Southern has safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network that serves a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to more than 54 inland, lake, river, and sea ports. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. The railroad’s dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, operate the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern US, and originate more automotive traffic than any other Class I Railroad.

Appointed Chief Marketing Officer in 2021, Elkins leads the company’s Intermodal, Automotive, and Industrial Products business divisions. He also manages the Real Estate, Industrial Development, Short Line Marketing, Field Sales, and Customer Logistics business groups.

After serving in the United States Marine Corps, Elkins was hired by Norfolk Southern as a Road Brakeman in 1988. He then served as a Conductor, Locomotive Engineer, and a Relief Yardmaster. Following his time in Operations, Elkins spent two decades in Intermodal Marketing. In 2016, Elkins was named Group Vice President of Chemicals Marketing, and in 2018, he was promoted to Vice President of Industrial Products.

Currently, Elkins serves as the Vice Chair of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and sits on the boards of directors of the East Lake Foundation, National Association of Manufacturers, and TTX Company. Elkins also serves on the Georgia State University Marketing RoundTable and is a member of The Conference Board, Inc. on the Council for CMOs.

Elkins is a native of Southwest Virginia. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise and an MBA from Old Dominion University with a concentration in Port & Maritime Economics.

• Fourth-generation railroader
• Began his career as a craft railroader and union leader
• Strong track record of implementing scheduled railroading and achieving operational results

John Orr is EVP and Chief Operating Officer at Norfolk Southern Corporation. Since 1827, Norfolk Southern has safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and is the largest rail shipper of auto products and metals in North America. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S., serving a majority of the country’s population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes.

Appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2024, Orr leads Norfolk Southern’s railway operations, including safety, transportation, network planning and operations, engineering, and equipment maintenance. Orr is helping to accelerate the execution of the company’s balanced strategy to deliver safe and reliable service, continuous productivity improvements, and smart growth.

Orr joined Norfolk Southern from Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), where he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer, and oversaw network operations planning and design, labor relations, and regulatory affairs. In this role, he led the integration and optimization of operations following Canadian Pacific Railway’s acquisition of Kansas City Southern (KCS) in December 2021. At KCS, Orr was Executive Vice President of operations, where he shaped and guided the execution of their service-focused precision scheduled railroading initiatives. Orr began his career at CN as a conductor and held various operating and network positions at the company, including Chief Safety and Sustainability Officer, ultimately being promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Transportation Officer.

Orr holds a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies from University of Waterloo and has completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.

Jason Morris is Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at Norfolk Southern Corporation. Since 1827, Norfolk Southern has safely moved the goods and materials that drive the US economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network that serves a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to more than 54 inland, lake, river, and sea ports. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. The railroad’s dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, operate the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern US, and originate more automotive traffic than any other Class I Railroad.

In his current role, Morris leads Norfolk Southern’s law division, which includes oversight over the company’s legal, government relations, corporate secretary, compliance, risk management, claims and environmental protection functions.

Morris joined Norfolk Southern in 2010.  Before his appointment as Chief Legal Officer, Morris held a variety of roles in the law department, including being appointed Vice President Law in 2022. He has also served in roles in the operations division and transformation division, including Vice President Labor Relations and Assistant Vice President Safety and Environmental. In his various roles, he has led significant safety and environmental initiatives, reduced claims expenses, and supported the implementation of innovative safety measures.

Prior to joining Norfolk Southern, Morris built experience in logistics, crisis management and legislative strategy while serving in several roles within the United States Air Force and Virginia Air National Guard and spending time as a Legislative Director with the United States House of Representatives. 

Morris earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Management with a Math Minor from the United States Air Force Academy. In addition, he completed the Executive Development Program at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Morris is actively involved in community and professional organizations and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Consolidated Rail Corporation.

Jason Zampi is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer at Norfolk Southern Corporation. Since its inception in 1827, Norfolk Southern has played a key role in safely transporting goods and materials that fuel the U.S. economy. Today, the company operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network, serving a majority of the U.S. population and manufacturing base. With connections to more than 54 inland, lake, river, and sea ports, Norfolk Southern is also committed to sustainability, helping its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by utilizing rail. The railroad moves over 7 million carloads annually, ranging from agriculture to consumer goods, while maintaining the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern United States and leading the industry in automotive traffic.

In his current role, Zampi oversees Norfolk Southern’s Finance departments, including Corporate Controllers group, FP&A, Treasury, Tax, Investor Relations, as well as Sourcing, Strategic Planning, and Internal Audit. He manages the company’s capital structure, banking relationships, and market analysis. Zampi works closely with Norfolk Southern’s operations and marketing segments to evaluate business opportunities, mitigate challenges, and reduce transactional risks.  Zampi is focused on cost management, long-range planning, and developing financial roadmaps to help Norfolk Southern achieve its business objectives.

Zampi brings over 28 years of experience in finance and accounting. Since joining Norfolk Southern in 2011, he has held roles of increasing responsibility, including Senior Vice President Finance & Treasurer, Vice President of Financial Planning & Analysis, Vice President & Controller, and Assistant Vice President Corporate Accounting. Throughout his tenure, he has provided technical accounting expertise and tactical analysis for a wide range of business matters, overseeing significant projects such as implementing new Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) standards and managing financial reports for the SEC and Surface Transportation Board.

Prior to joining Norfolk Southern, Zampi spent 15 years at KPMG, where he conducted numerous audits across various industries, including transportation, banking, and consumer goods. He held roles in both the audit practice and the Department of Professional Practice, providing technical guidance on complex accounting matters.

Zampi holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Pennsylvania State University and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Virginia. He is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). In addition to his role at Norfolk Southern, Zampi serves on the Board of Directors for Consolidated Rail Corporation and the Norfolk and Portsmouth Beltline Railroad Company.

• Strategic Business, Technology, and Human Capital Leader
• Innovative C-Suite Executive and Board Director

Annie Adams is Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at Norfolk Southern Corporation. Adams joined Norfolk Southern in 2001 and is a seasoned executive with over two decades of leadership experience. She served as Executive Vice President & Chief Transformation Officer until March 2024, overseeing Human Resources, Labor Relations, Corporate Communications, Information Technology, Sustainability, and Corporate Giving. In December 2024, at the request of the newly appointed CEO, she returned to the C-Suite as CHRO, where she now leads Human Resources and Labor Relations.

In addition to her role at NS, Adams serves as an independent director at Specialty Building Products, a private-equity backed North American distributor, where she is a member of the compensation and audit committees.

Recognized as a transformational leader, Adams is known for cultivating high-performance cultures and driving organizational change. She brings a unique combination of expertise in human capital and technology, delivering strategic insights on talent development, workforce strategy, and the future of work—a skillset invaluable in today’s rapidly changing business environment.

At NS, Adams spearheaded digital transformation initiatives, ranging from customer-facing tools to AI-powered train inspection portals, driving innovation and operational efficiency. She also led the company’s corporate headquarters relocation from Norfolk to Atlanta, overseeing the development of an award-winning, state-of-the-art campus designed to attract top talent and meet the evolving needs of a dynamic workforce.

Beyond her corporate contributions, Adams is deeply committed to her community. She currently serves on the boards of the Woodruff Arts Center and the Midtown Improvement District in Atlanta.

Adams holds a B.A. in Psychology from Davidson College, a Master’s and Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Rice University. She completed the General Management Program at Harvard Business School and the Women’s Director Development Program at Kellogg. Her leadership has been recognized by Railway Age, International Railway Journal, and the Atlanta Business Chronicle.