TRANSPORTATION
JAMES A. SQUIRES
CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND CEO, NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP., NORFOLK
Traffic volume is declining at Norfolk Southern, which soon will leave Virginia on a midnight train to Georgia. Volume was down 11% in the first quarter, Squires reported during the annual shareholder meeting in May. Nevertheless, efficiency is up, Squires said, citing
the results of a strategic plan launched last year that led to records for train speed and other metrics: “We’ve decongested our yards and road network, allowing cars to turn quicker in the terminals and trains to move faster on the network. Our success enabled us to dispose of 703 locomotives that are no longer needed because our network is more efficient — a strong sign that our strategic plan is working.” In a big hit to the Hampton Roads region and
Virginia, in 2018 Norfolk Southern decided to relo- cate its headquarters after being based in Norfolk for nearly four decades. Te company will maintain a pres- ence in the area but broke ground in Atlanta last year and plans to complete its relocation by 2021. It sold its signature Norfolk Southern building in downtown Norfolk to Suffolk-based TowneBank and Norfolk- based Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. Squires, a New Jersey native and U.S. Army
veteran, served throughout Norfolk Southern’s lead- ership before becoming president in 2013. He added CEO and board chairman to his title in 2015.
PAUL J. WIEDEFELD
GENERAL MANAGER AND CEO, WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY, WASHINGTON, D.C.
With a workforce of 12,000, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority serves more than 600,000 riders a day through Metrorail and operates a fleet of more than 1,500 buses making 11,500 daily stops. But the pandemic and construction work caused
public transit ridership to plunge about 90% this spring and summer. Wiedefeld was searching for the silver lining
while the WMATA prepared to restart its Silver Line service and reopen six stations in August. “By combining the schedules of our two biggest
capital priorities in Virginia during a time of histori- cally low ridership,” he said, “we believe we have posi- tioned Metro and the region for a strong recovery.” Wiedefeld has experience with large-scale
challenges. As CEO of BWI Airport, he oversaw projects that included the construction of a South- west Airlines 26-gate terminal. At the Maryland Transit Administration, where he was CEO, he was responsible for the 13th-largest transit system in the country. Wiedefeld is a graduate of Towson University
and earned his master’s degree in city and regional planning from Rutgers University.
ROLF A. WILLIAMS
OWNER, ANDERS WILLIAMS & CO. INC.; VICE PRESIDENT, VIRGINIA MARITIME ASSOCIATION, NORFOLK
Williams is the grandson of Anders Williams, a native of Norway who got his start on ships as a teenager — eventually becoming a captain for the Wilhelm Line. He and his wife moved to the United States, settling in Norfolk. Te Williams patriarch bought part of the busi-
ness where he was working, the Henry A. Kassel Co., in 1924, and it has grown into a portfolio of busi- nesses. Anders’ son, the late Rolf Williams, founded Anders Williams Ship Agency, and led Marine Oil Service and Port City Transportation. His son, Rolf A. Williams, represents the third
generation. He’s president of the shipping and trucking arms of Anders Williams, and executive vice president of Marine Oil Service of Norfolk and New York. A William & Mary graduate, Williams is a well-
known industry leader who serves as a vice president of the Virginia Maritime Association.
SCOTT WHEELER
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD,
VIRGINIA MARITIME ASSOCIATION; PRESIDENT, BAY DIESEL & GENERATOR CORP., VIRGINIA BEACH
Wheeler leads the 100-year-old Virginia Maritime Association (VMA), which represents more than 450 companies across Virginia in all areas of the maritime industry. A native of St. Louis and a U.S. Army veteran, Wheeler was elected presi- dent of the association in December 2017. In addition to his work representing the industry
for VMA, Wheeler occupies leadership roles for sev- eral community organizations. He serves on the boards of the World Affairs Council of Greater Hampton Roads and WHRO Public Television and Radio. Wheeler also runs a business that has its own
place in the maritime supply chain. After working for the Virginia Tractor Co. and Caterpillar Inc., he started Bay Diesel & Generator Corp. from the back of his Ford Pinto in 1982. Bay Diesel, where Wheeler is president, services
diesel engines and electrical generators for ships and other maritime and industrial uses. Its generators help keep refrigerated cargo cold on river barge voyages from Norfolk to Richmond.
DAVID C. WHITE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE, VIRGINIA MARITIME ASSOCIATION; EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, HAMPTON ROADS SHIPPING ASSOCIATION, NORFOLK
White works to ensure the maritime industry’s voice is heard in the Virginia General Assembly and on Capitol Hill. With the Virginia Maritime Association celebrating its centennial this year, White is leading the organization into its next 100 years. Te association has more than 450 member companies. White has encouraged wind energy to be the next opportunity for Virginia as part of the maritime supply chain. In his role with the Hampton Roads Shipping Association, he also helps handle the collective bargaining agreement for the International Longshoremen’s Association.
EDUCATION: William & Mary, bachelor’s in business administration
FIRST JOB: At the age of 16, I worked part time at a Wendy’s, flipping hamburgers.
FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: Futbol Club Barcelona is the best soccer team in Spain’s La Lisa league system. All three of my daughters have played travel soccer.
BEST ADVICE: Listen more and speak with purpose; treat others the way you want others to treat you; when you see divisions, build bridges; and let your actions match your words. Such characteristics build trust and respect. To these I would add the importance of having a personal relationship with your god.
WILLIAM E. ‘BILL’
WOODHOUR
PRESIDENT AND CEO, MAERSK LINE LTD., LEESBURG
Woodhour has been president and CEO of Maersk Line Ltd. a little more than four years. His company’s parent, the Danish container logistics company Maersk, ships from more than 300 ports around the world, employing approximately 3,500 U.S. mariners annually. Maersk Line, which has offices in Norfolk and
Reston, is the U.S. arm founded in 1983 to support the U.S. Navy. It now operates vessels that support military, government and humanitarian missions. Woodhour earned business and marketing
degrees at the University of Delaware and attended Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program before embarking on a career that has spanned 26 years at Maersk. He held sales and mar- keting positions and served in executive roles that took him from New Jersey to Denmark. His role as president and CEO is based in
Virginia, and Woodhour is called upon to share his expertise. He delivered a keynote address last year at the Conference on America’s Ports, held at Christopher Newport University’s Center for American Studies.
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VIRGINIA 500
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