(Kansas City Southern issued the following news release on February 1.)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern (KCS) (NYSE: KSU) announced today the promotion of William J. “Jim” Wochner from vice president and interim general counsel to senior vice president and chief legal officer. Mr. Wochner is responsible for the legal, claims and corporate secretary functions for KCS and its U.S. subsidiaries, as well as commercial contracts and operating agreements for both the U.S. and Mexico.
“With 26 years of dedicated service to the company in the legal, marketing and commercial contracts areas, Jim was a natural to step into the role as chief legal officer,” said Michael R. Haverty, KCS chairman and chief executive officer.
Mr. Wochner joined KCS in 1981 as general attorney and was named senior vice president of marketing in 1992. In 1994, he was named vice president and general solicitor in the legal department. In 2005, he was named vice president sales and marketing coal business unit and contracts. In 2006, he moved back to the legal department as vice president and associate general counsel and was named interim general counsel in December.
Mr. Wochner has been practicing law since 1972. His experience prior to joining KCS includes private practice, the Interstate Commerce Commission, AT&T and the Nebraska Public Service Commission. He holds a juris doctorate and a bachelor of science with distinction in business administration and economics from the University of Nebraska.
Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., KCS is a transportation holding company that has railroad investments in the U.S., Mexico and Panama. Its primary U.S. holding is The Kansas City Southern Railway Company, serving the central and south central U.S. Its international holdings include Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., serving northeastern and central Mexico and the port cities of Lázaro Cárdenas, Tampico and Veracruz, and a 50 percent interest in Panama Canal Railway Company, providing ocean-to-ocean freight and passenger service along the Panama Canal. KCS’ North American rail holdings and strategic alliances are primary components of a NAFTA Railway system, linking the commercial and industrial centers of the U.S., Mexico and Canada.