(CSX issued the following news release on November 5.)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Michael J. Ward, CSX Corporation chairman, president and chief executive officer and CSX Transportation (CSXT) president, announced today P. Michael Giftos, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, has decided to retire effective March 31, 2004. Giftos will be turning over his responsibilities at that time to Clarence W. Gooden, who currently is senior vice president- Merchandise Service Group.
“Mike Giftos and I have worked together closely for many years, and I have great admiration for the significant contributions he has made in many key areas over his 29-year career. Most recently as chief commercial officer, Mike has led us to marketing and sales excellence, enabling CSXT to achieve vitally important revenue growth in a challenging business environment,” Ward said.
Before Giftos became CSXT’s chief commercial officer in April 2000, he was the railroad’s chief legal officer for more than a decade. During that time, he served CSX and the industry, playing an instrumental role in shaping the regulatory and legal environment for railroads after deregulation.
“Clarence inherits an excellent team of people. He has comprehensive knowledge of our business and operations and a clear understanding about what our customers need from us. He sets high goals and is dedicated to achieving them,” Giftos said.
“Under Clarence’s leadership, I am confident that CSXT will continue to lead in modal conversions and in capturing price and yield, building upon Mike’s success in this important area,” Ward said.
Gooden joined the company in 1970 and has held a number of senior positions, including serving as President of CSX Intermodal. He also has served as vice president-transportation field operations, vice president- system transportation and senior vice-president-coal at CSXT.
CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., owns one of the largest rail networks in the United States. CSX Transportation Inc., and its 34,000 employees provide rail transportation services over a 23,000 route-mile network in 23 states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces. CSX Corporation also provides intermodal and global container terminal operations through other subsidiaries.