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Gephardt Government Affairs is representing Cleveland’s Ancora Advisors, the activist investment fund that launched a proxy fight at Norfolk Southern over its lackluster safety record.
Ancora, which has close ties to organized labor, pressed for the ouster of Norfolk CEO Alan Shaw, who was at the helm during the 2023 East Palestine (Ohio) derailment of a 38-car freight train carrying hazardous materials.
Norfolk shareholders on May 7 re-elected Shaw to the 13-member board, along with three nominees put forward by Ancora.
They are William Clyburn, ex-vice chair of the Surface Transportation Board; Sameh Fahmy, ex-EVP at Kansas City Southern Railroad; and Gilbert Lamphere, former chair at Illinois Central Railroad.
Dick Gephardt, the former House Majority Leader with strong ties to labor unions, heads his firm’s push for Ancora. He is focusing on rail safety and operational matters.
Norfolk fired Shaw on Sept. 11 for maintaining a consensual sexual relationship with its chief legal officer, Nabanita Nag, who was also let go.
Ancora played a key role in that firing, according to the Wall Street Journal. After getting tipped off about the affair, Ancora requested shareholder records from Norfolk as a possible prelude to launching another proxy fight.
Ballard Partners has signed on gunmaker Sturm, Ruger & Co to advocate on behalf of Second Amendment issues.
Sakura Conservation Strategies has registered Japanese American Confinement Sites Consortium as a client.
Sachs Media has signed on to represent the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund to advocate for public policies proven to reduce tobacco use, which is the No. 1 cause of preventable deaths in the US and the rest of the world.
FGS Global is providing DC representation for JetBlue Airways on issues related to air traffic control modernization, airport slot management, and support for the aviation industry.
Anthropic, the artificial intelligence company banned by Defense Secretary Hegseth, has hired Ballard Partners for DC representation.
