By Colin Kellaher

Norfolk Southern Corp. on Thursday said James Squires, its chairman, chief executive and president, plans to retire on May 1 after three decades with the freight railroad.

The Atlanta company said Alan Shaw, who had been executive vice president and chief marketing officer, will now serve as president and will succeed Mr. Squires as CEO upon his retirement.

Norfolk Southern said its executive leadership team now reports to Mr. Shaw, who will work closely with Mr. Squires on the transition over the next five months.

Mr. Shaw, 54 years old, has spent 27 years with Norfolk Southern in marketing, operations and finance and has been chief marketing officer since May 2015.

Norfolk Southern said Ed Elkins, who had been vice president of industrial products, succeeds Mr. Shaw as executive vice president and chief marketing officer.

Mr. Squires, who joined Norfolk Southern in 1992 has been president since 2013 and chairman and CEO since 2015.

Write to Colin Kellaher at colin.kellaher@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

12-02-21 0920ET