[1][2] Shaw attended Virginia Tech and received a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering[3] in 1989 and a Master of Business Administration there in 1992.
[3] In September 2024, the Norfolk Southern board of directors hired an independent law firm to investigate claims that Shaw had contravened the railroad’s ethics policies in an undisclosed inappropriate (but consensual) relationship with Norfolk Southern's chief legal officer, Nabanita Chaterjee Nag.
[14][15] On September 11, 2024, Norfolk Southern's board issued a statement that a unanimous decision was reached to terminate Shaw and Nag's employment immediately.
[18] In December 2022, Shaw announced a new strategy for Norfolk Southern at the company's Investor Day, the first since he became CEO, that placed less of a focus on operating ratio and precision scheduled railroading.
Shaw's strategy, instead, focuses on building the resources required to provide reliable service throughout the year, instead of frequently furloughing employees.
The plan also includes investing in locomotives, track improvements, rail yards, technology, and employee training during economic downturns.
[23] Under Shaw, Norfolk Southern reported 37% fewer accidents on its main lines in the first 10 months of 2023 than in the same period of 2022.
On a second visit he met with the city's Mayor Trent Conaway, Congressman Bill Johnson, Fire Chief Keith Drabick, and first responders.
[34] In May 2024, shareholders voted against the proposal, with roughly half of Norfolk Southern's unionized workers supporting keeping Shaw in his position.
[41] Some investors criticized the hire for what they consider to be an excessive buyout package coupled with a record of racial and sexual discrimination allegations.