---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-26-250020"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "NSC"
cik: "0000702165"
company_name: "NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP"
filed_at: "2026-06-01T13:15:16+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-01T13:16:18.490138+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Norfolk Southern COO John Orr resigns; Brian Barr appointed successor effective June 1

## Summary
- John Orr resigned as EVP & COO effective May 31, 2026, citing good reason due to proposed operational changes.
- Brian Barr, previously VP & Chief Mechanical Officer, appointed COO effective June 1, 2026.
- Orr will serve as advisor through June 30, then retire; continued advisor until merger close or June 2027.
- Orr receives severance per Executive Severance Plan and $2.25M retention bonus payable at merger close.
- Barr receives $600k base salary, 130% incentive, LTIP $2.5M target, and promotional award $1.26M.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-26-250020
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: NSC
- cik: 0000702165
- company_name: NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP
- filed_at: 2026-06-01T13:15:16+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/702165/000119312526250020/0001193125-26-250020-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/702165/000119312526250020/d91653d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-250020
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-250020.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-250020.txt

## Source-grounded claims
- claim_id: 9ef95036e5
  claim: John Orr resigned as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP.
  evidence_excerpt: On May 31, 2026, John Orr, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Norfolk Southern Corporation (the “Company”), notified the Company of his intention to resign from the Company for “good reason” on account of proposed changes in the Company’s operations that would result in a diminution of his duties and responsibilities.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/702165/000119312526250020/0001193125-26-250020-index.htm
- claim_id: ff900d8ede
  claim: Brian Barr was appointed as Chief Operating Officer at NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP.
  evidence_excerpt: the Board appointed Brian Barr as Chief Operating Officer of the Company, effective as of June 1, 2026.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/702165/000119312526250020/0001193125-26-250020-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.