Patrick J Ottensmeyer is to become Chief Executive Officer of Kansas City Southern with effect from July 1, succeeding David L Starling who will become Senior Advisor until his retirement at the end of this year.
Ottensmeyer joined KCS in 2006 as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, becoming Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing in 2008. He was named President with effect from March 1 2015, and will continue in this role as President & CEO. He will also join the company board from the same date. Starling, who has been CEO for the past six years, will remain a board member until May 2017.
Announcing the appointment on May 10, KCS Chairman Robert J Druten said the board was ‘extremely pleased’ by the planned succession and was looking forward to ‘a seamless transition’. ‘Pat has served in several leadership roles within the company, most recently as President. The board firmly believes Pat is the right person with the right experience and skills to lead KCS and help the company capitalise on its tremendous long-term growth opportunities.’
