CSX's board of directors has appointed executive Joseph R. Hinrichs as the company’s new president and CEO, effective Sept. 26, according to a CSX press release.
Hinrichs succeeds James M. Foote, who plans to retire as president and CEO, as well as from the board, on Sept. 26. Foote will continue to work with the company through March 31, 2023, as an adviser to facilitate a seamless leadership transition.
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Hinrichs has more than 30 years of experience in the global automotive, manufacturing, and energy sectors, previously serving as president of Ford Motor Co.’s automotive business. In that role, he led the company’s $160 billion global automotive operations, after having previously served as president of global operations, president of the Americas, and president of Asia Pacific and Africa. Hinrichs has also held executive roles in global manufacturing, materials planning, and logistics.
“This appointment is the result of a long and deliberate process, in which we identified the strongest candidate to lead CSX through its next phase of growth and transformation. Jim has been at the helm throughout most of the company’s transformation, producing record operating and financial results, focusing on sustainability, and emphasizing the importance of safety. We cannot thank him enough for his contributions to CSX, and his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition,” said John J. Zillmer, chairman of the CSX board of directors. “The board believes that Joe is a seasoned leader with the relevant experience to lead CSX forward with our full support.”
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“Joe’s great strength is operational excellence. He enabled Ford to execute world-class manufacturing on a global scale, including prioritizing exceptional customer service. In addition to leading complex businesses over his 30-year career, he has proven that he understands how to prioritize safety and efficiency in an industry with dynamics that are similar to those we are navigating today in rail,” Foote said. “On top of that, Joe truly believes that CSX’s people are critical to its success, and he is focused on forging strong relationships across the organization. Given his excellent track record around operational excellence and employee engagement, I am confident Joe is the right person to lead CSX.”
“I am honored to lead a company as strong and storied as CSX,” Hinrichs said. “My focus on day one will be to continue to execute on the strategy the team has identified: leveraging CSX’s proven operating model as a leader in the railroad industry, to drive growth through innovation, harness transformative technology and build a one-team workforce through an engaging and inclusive culture. I look forward to working closely with the board, leadership team, labor and government leaders, and the people of CSX to achieve operational excellence that meets industry demand and delivers for our customers and shareholders.”
