NORFOLK, Va. -  The Strategic Planning and Information Technology departments previously reported to Deborah H. Butler, executive vice president planning and chief information officer, who announced her retirement effective Oct. 1, 2015. “We seek opportunities to streamline our structure at every level throughout the NS organization,” Squires said. “These changes employ our resources to the best advantage while maintaining the full capabilities of our planning and IT teams.”   Earhart joined NS in 1985 and has served in positions of increasing responsibility in accounting, IT, and human resources. She was named executive vice president administration in 2013. John H. Friedmann, vice president strategic planning since 2008, and Fredric M. Ehlers, vice president information technology since 2013, will report to Squires and Earhart, respectively, under the new structure. Butler’s retirement comes after a 37-year career centered on transportation, customer service, planning, technology, and sustainability.