Ottensmeyer to become KCS CEO in July

Patrick J. Ottensmeyer will succeed David L. Starling as Kansas City Southern's chief executive officer, effective July 1, 2016. Ottensmeyer will keep the title of president, a position he assumed on March 1, 2015.

KCS says this transition is the central component of the railroad’s comprehensive executive succession plan. As part of the plan, Starling will serve as senior advisor to the CEO, beginning on July 1, 2016, until his retirement on December 31, 2016. Starling will also remain a member of the KCS Board of Directors until May 2017. Ottensmeyer will join the Company’s Board of Directors upon becoming CEO.

“The board is extremely pleased to announce Pat Ottensmeyer as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer,” stated Robert J. Druten, chairman of the KCS Board of Directors. “Pat has served in several leadership roles within the company, most recently as its president. The board firmly believes Pat is the right person with the right experience and skills to lead KCS and help the ompany capitalize on its tremendous long-term growth opportunities.”

“The board is also confident that the succession plan it developed, along with the close working relationship between Dave Starling and Pat Ottensmeyer, will result in a seamless transition without disruption to the superior performance of the company,” added Druten.

Ottensmeyer, 59, joined Kansas City Southern in 2006, as its executive vice president and chief financial officer. In 2008, he was named executive vice president of sales & marketing and named president in 2015.

“Pat’s extensive financial and marketing background, coupled with the leadership he has demonstrated over the past year in strengthening the Company’s rail operations, makes him the ideal individual to direct KCS in the years ahead,” stated Starling. “In addition, his relationships with customers, investors, other railroad executives and employees in both Mexico and the U.S., will be a tremendous asset as KCS seeks to translate its abundant business opportunities into sustained long-term growth.”

“The board appreciates the service and performance of Dave Starling as the company’s CEO over the past six years,” stated Druten. “We are also pleased that he will be staying on as an employee throughout the remainder of 2016 and as a member of the board until May 2017. KCS will certainly benefit from his insight and advice during that time. The performance of KCS during his tenure as CEO was unprecedented and much of the company’s success can be attributed to Dave’s stewardship. The board fully expects that Pat will continue the same pursuit of excellence in the times ahead.”