KCS makes executive management appointments

Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
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Kansas City Southern (KCS) has announced two new appointments among the company’s executive management ranks.

KCS tapped Brian D. Hancock to serve as executive vice president and chief innovation officer and Michael J. Naatz to hold the position of executive vice president and chief marketing officer.

Hancock and Naatz will continue to report to KCS president and CEO Patrick J. Ottensmeyer. The appointments go into effect Oct. 1, 2018.

“We are extremely fortunate to be able to make this move with such talented, experienced and versatile leaders as Brian and Mike,” Ottensmeyer said. “I am confident that these appointments will further strengthen our executive leadership team, allow Brian and Mike to apply their diverse skills and experiences in new and exciting ways, and keep KCS on track to fulfill our vision to be the fastest-growing, best-performing, most customer-focused transportation company in North America. In addition to their respective qualifications for their new roles, both Brian and Mike are supported by strong and tenured teams at the next level of senior management.”

Taking on a newly created role, Hancock will lead the development of KCS’ innovation and technology strategy. In addition, he will lead the company’s operations support, business process improvement and information technology functions.

He previously served as KCS’ executive vice president and chief marketing officer since July 2015. Hancock has also held executive positions responsible for global supply chain management, operations and technology at Family Dollar Stores, Inc., The Martin – Brower Company, L.L.C., Whirlpool Corporation, and Schneider National.

“Brian has prior executive leadership experience running high performing global supply chains, which will bring excellent perspective as we chart our own course in a rapidly changing, technology driven, competitive landscape,” Ottensmeyer said. “Over the course of his nearly 30-year career, Brian has held leadership roles in information technology and operations, and is recognized as a thought leader in supply chain strategy and innovation.”

Naatz will take on the role of executive vice president and chief marketing officer. He served as KCS’ senior vice president and chief information officer since May 2012. Naatz has also held executive leadership positions that entail overseeing information technology, customer service and enterprise management at USF Holland and YRCW. He succeeds Hancock.

“Mike is very well-suited for leading our sales and marketing organization,” Ottensmeyer said. “Among other things, he has strong experience in sales and customer service. He also has a deep understanding of KCS’ operations organization from leading the information technology and operations support teams, along with the company’s PTC implementation. Mike has 30 years of experience leading transportation and logistics organizations, touching all aspects of executive management and leadership. This experience will be invaluable in merging traditional sales and marketing methods with new and developing technologies that our customers will expect in the future.”

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