CSX railroad hires Ford executive to replace retiring CEO OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — CSX has hired an auto industry executive to lead the railroad after its current CEO retires. Jacksonville, Florida-based CSX Corp. said Thursday that Joe Hinrichs will take over from Jim Foote at the end of this month. Hinrichs previously served as president of Ford Motor Co.’s global auto business. Hinrichs said in an interview with The Associated Press he’s very excited that CSX and the other major railroads were able to reach a tentative contract agreement Thursday with unions to prevent a potentially devastating national strike. “Our employees are going to get a well-deserved raise after working so hard the last couple years through the pandemic,” Hinrichs said. “We’re excited about moving from here. Now we can move our conversation into how do we work together to grow the business and better serve our customers.” The railroads have been plagued with delivery delays that prompted shippers to complain loudly this year about poor service . Federal regulators got involved and ordered the railroads to address the problems.