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STB Fills Economics Chief Post Ahead of UP-NS Merger Review

The Surface Transportation Board has permanently appointed leadership to its Office of Economics just eight weeks before the public comment period opens on Union Pacific's proposed acquisition of Norfolk Southern. STB Chairman Patrick Fuchs named Marty Schlenker as director of the economics office on September 24, with Terrence McDermott taking on the role of senior adviser. The move signals the board's readiness to evaluate the merger's financial impacts as the agency operates with a leaner structure. Shippers seeking to oppose the combination will need to submit their own economic data to influence the regulatory review. The appointments underscore the critical role financial analysis will play in the rail sector consolidation decision.