(The following story by Randolph Heaster appeared on The Kansas City Star website on June 10.)
KANSAS CITY — Kansas City Southern on Monday announced that David L. Starling is the company’s new president and chief operating officer.
Starling, who begins his new role July 1, has been president and director of the Panama Canal Railway Co., a joint venture of Kansas City Southern and Mi-Jack Products.
Starling takes the place of Art Shoener, who has resigned. The company gave no reason for the departure of Shoener, who joined Kansas City Southern in January 2005 as chief operating officer. He was named president in June 2006.
Kansas City Southern said Starling will help strengthen the company’s international marketing initiatives and global trade opportunities through the North American rail corridor. Kansas City Southern also operates a big rail network in Mexico.
Starling will report directly to Michael R. Haverty, Kansas City Southern’s chairman and chief executive.
“Dave’s extensive experience in Latin America, North America and in Asia will expand KCS’ marketing and growth opportunities for our increasingly internationally focused company, and his 23 years of rail operating experience will help us build on our current operating efficiency,” Haverty said in a statement.
Haverty also thanked Shoener for his time at Kansas City Southern.
“He has helped KCS build the capital assets that it will need to meet the growing demand for our customer-oriented rail services in the future,” he said.