Kansas City Southern (KCS) (NYSE: KSU) today announced the appointments of Michael A. Walczak to vice president mechanical, Maquiling B. Parkerson to vice president labor relations and Adam J. Godderz to associate general counsel and corporate secretary. Effective immediately, each of these moves are for professional advancement and organizational development.

“Mike, Maqui and Adam are all outstanding performers in their various roles with the company, so we are pleased to support their professional advancement, while building bench strength for succession planning,” said president and chief executive officer Patrick J. Ottensmeyer.

Mr. Walczak most recently served as vice president strategic operational planning, a position he has held since 2016. Previously, he served as vice president financial planning and analysis and vice president purchasing. Prior to joining the company in 2008, he spent 11 years with Sprint, where he held various positions within the finance organization. He holds a master of business administration from the University of Kansas and a bachelor of science in business administration from Kansas State University. In this position, Mr. Walczak will report to executive vice president and chief operating officer Jeffrey M. Songer.

Ms. Parkerson most recently served as associate general counsel, a position she has held since 2016 when she joined the company. Previously, she was a commerce and corporate attorney for Norfolk Southern Corporation. She holds a juris doctorate from the William and Mary Law School and a bachelor of arts in economics and mathematical methods in the social sciences from Northwestern University. Ms. Parkerson will report to senior vice president human resources Lora S. Cheatum.

Mr. Godderz most recently served as vice president labor relations and corporate secretary, a position he has held since 2015. He was appointed to corporate secretary in 2013. He joined the company in 2007 as associate general counsel and supported sales and marketing, purchasing and financial transactions. Prior to joining the company, he worked for Embarq Corporation, where he served as a procurement attorney for the commercial law department. Prior to that, he was an associate in the corporate law department for Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP. He holds a juris doctorate, master of business administration and bachelor of arts from the University of Kansas. Mr. Godderz will report to senior vice president and chief legal officer William J. Wochner.

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.A. 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 railway network linking the commercial and industrial centers of the U.S., Mexico and Canada.