Norfolk Southern Executive Deborah Butler Is Next Landmark Executive-in-Residence Speaker
March 14, 2013
Deborah Butler
Deborah Butler, whose 34-year career with Norfolk Southern Corp. has seen her rise to the role of executive vice president of planning and chief information officer, will be the next guest in Old Dominion University's College of Business and Public Administration Landmark Executive-in-Residence speaker series.
Butler, whose career brought her to Norfolk in 2007 after 29 years in the company's operating department in Atlanta, will speak from 12:30-1:20 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, in 1005 Constant Hall. Pizza and beverages will be provided.
A 1975 graduate of Agnes Scott College with a degree in English literature, she joined Norfolk Southern in 1978 as a customer account auditor.
Butler, who also holds degrees in executive education from Duke University and advanced management from Harvard, is a trailblazer for women executives at Norfolk Southern. She heads the company's strategic planning and information technology initiatives, reporting to CEO Wick Moorman.
In addition to her work with Norfolk Southern, Butler is the rising chair of the Transportation Research Board executive committee, and is a past chair of the National Grain Car Council, the Women's Transportation Seminar (Atlanta chapter) and the American Council of Railroad Women.
The ODU business college's Landmark Executive-in-Residence speaker series is designed to enrich students' entrepreneurial spirit, their awareness of the success that can be built on their academic experience and their understanding of the importance of leading with integrity.
The program is dedicated to bringing accomplished business leaders, many of whom are ODU alumni, to campus to share their history and vision, giving students the opportunity to learn firsthand the strategies and experiences that forge great ethical global leaders.
Established in 2001, the Landmark Executive-in-Residence program is funded by an endowment from a group of former Landmark Communications executives in honor of Frank Batten Sr., former chairman of the executive committee of the Landmark board and the first rector of the ODU Board of Visitors.