Two days after he took a medical leave, CSX Corp. Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison died Saturday, the company announced.
CSX said Harrison died in Wellington “due to unexpectedly severe complications from a recent illness.”
The company never gave more details about his illness when it announced Thursday he was taking a leave, but CSX had previously disclosed Harrison had a respiratory condition.
Harrison was 72 years old when he was appointed CEO of the Jacksonville-based railroad company in March, with a four-year contract.
James Foote, 63, was named acting CEO when the leave was announced Thursday. Foote had just joined CSX last month as chief operating officer.
The company made no further announcement about succession Saturday.
“With the passing of Hunter Harrison, CSX has suffered a major loss,” Chairman Edward Kelly said in a statement on behalf of the board of directors.
“Notwithstanding that loss, the board is confident that Jim Foote, as acting Chief Executive Officer, and the rest of the CSX team will capitalize on the changes that Hunter has made. The board will continue to consider in a deliberative way how best to maximize CSX’s performance over the long term.”
