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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )

Filed by the RegistrantFiled by a Party other than the Registrant     

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX:
 Preliminary Proxy Statement
Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
Definitive Proxy Statement
 Definitive Additional Materials
Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12

CSX Corporation

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

PAYMENT OF FILING FEE (CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX):
 No fee required.
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5) Total fee paid:
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount previously paid:
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3) Filing Party:
4) Date Filed:


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2020 PROXY STATEMENT





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CSX believes that providing Internet access to our proxy materials increases the ability of our shareholders to review important information about the Company, while reducing the environmental impact of our Annual Meeting.

March 25, 2020

Dear Shareholder

The world is facing unprecedented disruption caused by COVID-19. In addition to the significant health and safety impact that individuals are experiencing, we are also sensitive to the fact that this disruption has negatively affected our stakeholders at the time we issue this Proxy Statement. CSX is continuing to respond to this global crisis through comprehensive measures to protect our employees while fulfilling our vital role in the nation’s supply chain.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of CSX Corporation, I cordially invite you to attend the Company’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“Annual Meeting”) on Wednesday, May 6, 2020. Not surprisingly, we will be using an online, virtual meeting format again this year to facilitate expanded shareholder access and participation. The meeting will be hosted atwww.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CSX2020, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (EDT). To participate, you will need the 16-digit control number provided on your proxy card or on your Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials.

Prior to the meeting, I encourage you to review the 2019 CSX Annual Report to Shareholders, which includes CSX’s audited financial statements and additional information about our company’s business.

In keeping with our commitment to both transparency and sustainability, we are providing electronic access to our proxy materials under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s “notice and access” rules. We believe electronic distribution offers shareholders the most effective and efficient method for reviewing important information about CSX while also reducing the environmental impact of our Annual Meeting. For additional details about accessing information or the conduct of the Annual Meeting, please see the Questions and Answers section of this Proxy Statement, or visit the Annual Meeting of Shareholders section of our Investor Relations website.

Please be aware that your vote is important even if you do not plan to participate in this year’s Annual Meeting. I encourage you to promptly submit your proxy to ensure your shares are represented and voted. You can do so via the Internet, by phone or by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the envelope provided. If you should later decide to participate in the Annual Meeting, you will be able to vote online, even if you have previously submitted your proxy. Please review the instructions for each of your voting options described in this Proxy Statement as well as in the Notice of Internet Availability you received in the mail or via email.

Along with the CSX Board of Directors and our leadership team, I look forward to your participation in the Annual Meeting.

Sincerely,


James M. Foote
President and Chief Executive Officer

WWW.CSX.COM       1



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Letter to Our Shareholders

April 20, 2017

Dear Shareholder:

We cordially invite you to attend the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of CSX Corporation (“CSX”). The Annual Meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) on Monday, June 5, 2017, at The Jefferson Hotel, 101 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220.

Details regarding admission to the Annual Meeting and the business to be conducted are described in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) you received in the mail and in this Proxy Statement. CSX also has made available with this Proxy Statement a copy of our 2016 Annual Report to Shareholders. We encourage you to read our Annual Report, which includes CSX’s audited financial statements and additional information about CSX’s business.

CSX has elected to provide electronic access to our proxy materials under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s “notice and access” rules. CSX believes that providing Internet access to our proxy materials increases the ability of our shareholders to review important information about the Company, while reducing the environmental impact of our Annual Meeting. If you want more information regarding electronic access or the Annual Meeting, please see the Questions and Answers section of this Proxy Statement or visit the Annual Shareholders Meeting section of our Investor Relations website.

Every shareholder vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, it is important that your shares be represented and voted at the Annual Meeting. Therefore, we urge you to promptly vote and submit your proxy via the Internet, by phone or by signing, dating and returning the enclosed white proxy card in the enclosed envelope. If you decide to attend the Annual Meeting, you will be able to vote in person, even if you have previously submitted your proxy. Please review the instructions on each of your voting options described in this Proxy Statement as well as in the Notice you received in the mail or via email.

We would like to express our appreciation for your continued support of CSX and look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting.

CSX Corporation




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Notice of 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

To Our Shareholders:Shareholders

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of CSX Corporation (“CSX”(together with its subsidiaries, “CSX” or the “Company”) will be held at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) on Monday, June 5, 2017Wednesday, May 6, 2020. If you plan to participate in the Annual Meeting, please see the instructions in the Question and Answer section of the Proxy Statement. Shareholders will be able to listen, vote electronically and submit questions during the Annual Meeting online. There will be no physical location for shareholders to attend. Shareholders may only participate online at The Jefferson Hotel, 101 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia, for the purposewww.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CSX2020.

Items of considering and acting upon the following matters:Business

1.

1
To elect the 1311 director nominees named in the attached Proxy Statement to the Company’s Board of Directors;

Directors

2.

2
To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2017;

2020

3.

3
To vote on an advisory (non-binding) resolution to approve compensation for the Company’s named executive officers;

4.To hold an advisory (non-binding) vote on whether future votes on the compensation for the Company’s named executive officers should be held every one, two or three years;
5.To hold an advisory (non-binding) vote concerning the reimbursement arrangements sought in connection with the retention of E. Hunter Harrison as CEO at CSX; and
6.To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

The persons named as proxies will use their discretion to vote on other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

The above matters are described in the attached Proxy Statement. You are urged, after reading the attached Proxy Statement, to vote your shares by proxy using one of the following methods: (i) vote by telephone or via the Internet;Internet or by telephone; or (ii) if you requested printed proxy materials, complete, sign, date and return your proxy card or voting instruction form if you hold your shares through a broker, bank or other nominee in the postage-paid envelope provided. WhiteThis proxy cards areis being solicited on behalf of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 17, 2017,March 6, 2020, which is the record date for the Annual Meeting, are entitled to vote. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”), the Proxy Statement and the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 201631, 2019 (the “Annual“2019 Annual Report”) are being mailed or made available to those shareholders on or about April 20, 2017.March 25, 2020.

By Order of the Board of Directors,


Ellen M. FitzsimmonsNathan D. Goldman
Executive Vice President-Law and Public AffairsPresident-Chief Legal Officer
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 6, 2020

The Company’s Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, are available, free of charge, at www.proxyvote.com.

2       CSX Corporation 2020 Proxy Statement




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Table of Contents


Proxy Summary3Notice of 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders4
ITEM 1  Election of Directors7
6Criteria for Board MembershipProxy Summary7
10Director IndependenceProxy Statement for 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders15
10What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?
10When and where will the Annual Meeting be held?
10Why did I receive a notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials instead of a full set of proxy materials?
10How do I get electronic access to the proxy materials?
11Who is soliciting my vote?
11Who is entitled to vote?
11How many votes do I have?
11How many shares must be present to hold the Annual Meeting?
11What are the vote requirements for each proposal?
12How do I vote?
12Can I change my vote?
12Will my shares be voted if I do not provide voting instructions to my broker?
13What happens if I return my proxy card but do not give voting instructions?
13What happens if other matters are properly presented at the Annual Meeting?
13How are votes counted?
13What happens if the Annual Meeting is postponed or adjourned?
13How do I obtain admission to the Annual Meeting?
14What is the deadline for consideration of shareholder proposals for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders?
14Does the Board consider director nominees recommended by shareholders?
15Item 1: Election of Directors
30What are the directors’ qualifications to serve on the CSX Board of Directors?
30What if a nominee is unable to serve as director?
31Director Independence
31Principles of Corporate Governance15
32Shareholder Outreach and Engagement16
Board of Directors’ Role in Risk Oversight16
32Board of Directors’ Role in Succession Planning16
33Transactions with Related Persons and Other Matters
33Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings17
33Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation18
34Board Leadership and Committee Structure18
38Annual Evaluation of Board Performance21
Meetings of the Board and Executive Sessions21
38Director Compensation22
3920162019 Directors’ Compensation Table
4123
ITEM 2Item 2:  Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm24
42Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm25
42Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
4325
Report of the Audit Committee26


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Corporate Social Responsibility at CSX28
45Letter from the Compensation and Talent Management Committee30
Report of the Compensation Committee31
Compensation Discussion and Analysis32
45Executive Overview32
47Executive Compensation Practices34
53Elements of the Company’s 2019 Executive Compensation Program37
2019 Base Salary41
532019 Short-Term Incentive Compensation41
552016 MICP Strategic Performance Goals
59Long-Term Incentive Compensation43
62Employment AgreementsBenefits46
63Severance Agreements46
Severance and Change-of-Control Agreements47
65Benefits47
Stock Ownership Guidelines201649
Policy Against Hedging / Pledging of CSX Stock49
2019 Summary Compensation Table50
6720162019 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table51
6820162019 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End52
6920162019 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table53
702019 Pension Benefits Table53
72Nonqualified2019 Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Table54
74Post-Termination and Change-of-Control Payments
77Potential Payouts Under Change-of-Control Agreements
7954
CEO Pay RatioReport of the Compensation Committee57
80ITEM 3Item 3:  Advisory (Non-Binding) Vote to Approve the Compensation of CSX’s Named Executive Officers58
Equity Compensation Plan Information
81Item 4: Advisory (Non-Binding) Vote on the Frequency of Future Advisory Votes on the Compensation of CSX’s Named Executive Officers59
Ownership of our Stock
82Item 5: Advisory (Non-Binding) Vote Concerning Reimbursement Arrangements Sought in Connection with Retention of E. Hunter Harrison as CEO at CSX60
84Mantle Ridge and E. Hunter Harrison Agreements
85Other Matters
86Security Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners
8860
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance61
Additional Information62
89Equity Compensation Plan Information
90“Householding” of Proxy Materials
91Notice of Electronic Availability of Proxy Materials62
Other Matters62
“Householding” of Proxy Materials63
Annual Meeting Questions & Answers64

WWW.CSX.COM       3




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Proxy Summary


This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider, and you should read the entire Proxy Statement carefully before voting. For more complete information regarding the Company’s 20162019 performance, please review the Company’s 20162019 Annual Report.

Visit our Annual Meeting Website

Review and download easy to read, interactive versions of our Proxy Statement and 2016 Annual Report
Sign up for future electronic delivery to reduce our impact on the environment


http://shareholder.broadridge.com/CSX

Attend our Annual Meeting of Shareholders

Date and Time:Monday, June 5, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT)

Place:The Jefferson Hotel, 101 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220

Date and Time
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
at 10:00 a.m. (EDT)

Place
Meeting live via the
internet – please visit
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ CSX2020.
To participate in the Annual Meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or on your Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials.

Eligibility to Vote

You can vote if you were a shareholder of record at the close of business on April 17, 2017,March 6, 2020, which is the record date for the Annual Meeting.

Visit our Annual Meeting Website
Review and download easy to read, interactive versions of our Proxy Statement and 2019 Annual Report
Sign up for future electronic delivery to reduce our impact on the environment

Voting Matters and Board Recommendation

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote:

1.The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote:
FOR
Item 1FOR the election of the thirteen11 director nominees named in this Proxy Statement;
        
2.FORItem 2FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as CSX’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2017;2020; and
 
3.FORItem 3FOR the approval, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in these materials; andmaterials.


How to Cast Your Vote by Proxy
  
4.FORthe approval, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, of the frequency ofEVERY YEAR for future advisory votes on executive compensation.

The Board is not making a recommendation with respect to Item 5, which is an advisory (non-binding) vote concerning the reimbursement arrangements sought in connection with the retention of E. Hunter Harrison as CEO at CSX.

By internet using a computerBy telephone

How to Cast Your VoteUntil 11:59 p.m. EDT
on May 5, 2020
Visit 24/7www.proxyvote.com

Until 11:59 p.m. EDT
on May 5, 2020
Dial toll-free 24/7
1-800-690-6903
    
By internetBy internetBy telephoneBy mail
using a computer
until 11:59 p.m. EDT on
June 4, 2017
using a smartphone
or tablet
until 11:59 p.m. EDT on
June 4, 2017
until 11:59 p.m. EDT on
June 4, 2017
received on or before
June 4, 2017
Visit 24/7
www.proxyvote.comBy internet using a smartphone or tablet

By mail

Until 11:59 p.m. EDT
on May 5, 2020

Scan thisQR code24/7 to vote with your
mobile device (may require free software)

Dial toll-free 24/7Received on or before
1-800-690-6903May 5, 2020

Sign and date your proxy card or voting
instruction form and send by mail



4       CSX Corporation 2020 Proxy Statement


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Proxy Summary

Board NomineesBOARD NOMINEES

      Independent
NameDirector
Since
Director since
YesNoCommittee Memberships
Other Public Company Boards
AuditCompensationExecutiveFinanceGovernance
Donna M. Alvarado
INDEPENDENT
2006AuditCoreCivic, Inc.
CompensationCoreCivic, Inc.
Park National Corporation
Public Affairs
John B. Breaux2005ExecutiveLHC Group, Inc.
Governance
Public Affairs (Chair)
Pamela L. Carter
INDEPENDENT
2010Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.
Enbridge Inc.
Hewlett-Packard
Enterprise Company
ExecutiveEnbridge Inc.
Finance (Chair)Hewlett-Packard Enterprise
Governance
Steven T. Halverson2006Audit
Compensation
E. Hunter HarrisonJames M. Foote2017Executive (Chair)
Steven T. Halverson
INDEPENDENT
2006
Paul C. Hilal2017CompensationAramark Corporation
Executive
Finance
Governance
Edward J. Kelly, III2002CompensationXL Group plc
ExecutiveMetLife Inc.
Governance
John D. McPherson
INDEPENDENT
2008Finance
Public Affairs
David M. Moffett
INDEPENDENT
2015Audit (Chair)PayPal Holdings, Inc.
Executive
Genworth Financial, Inc.
Finance
DennisLinda H. ReilleyRiefler
INDEPENDENT
2017AuditMarathon Oil Corporation
ExecutiveDow Chemical Company
Finance
Governance (Chair)
Linda H. Riefler2017AuditMSCI, Inc.
Suzanne M. Vautrinot
INDEPENDENT
2019Wells Fargo & Co.
Ecolab, Inc.
Parsons Corporation
Compensation
Public Affairs
J. Steven Whisler
INDEPENDENT
2011AuditBrunswick Corporation
Finance
International Paper Co.
John J. Zillmer
INDEPENDENT
(Chairman of the Board)
2017Compensation (Chair)Reynolds American,

Ecolab, Inc.
Veritiv Corporation1
Aramark Corporation

    Chair                   Member
1ExecutiveEcolab, Inc.
GovernanceMr. Zillmer currently serves on the board of directors of Veritiv Corporation
Public AffairsPerformance Food Group Company but will not stand for re-election at Veritiv’s annual meeting to be held on April 29, 2020.



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Corporate Governance Highlights
Directors elected annually
Independent Chairman of the Board
All directors in 2016elected at the 2019 Annual Meeting attended 75% or more of the Board and Committee meetings in 2016
2019
Audit Committee, Compensation and Talent Management Committee and Governance Committee comprised solely of independent directors
Stock ownership guidelines for officers and directors
Bylaws providing proxy access and rights to call special meetings
Majority voting standard for the election of directors and director resignation policy
Executive sessions of independentnon-management directors at all regular Board meetings

Business Highlights for 2016
Policy against hedging or pledging of CSX shares by officers and directors

CSX’s performance in 2016 illustrated the underlying strengthWWW.CSX.COM       5


Table of the Company’s business, as well as its ability to deliver valueContents

Proxy Summary   |   Business Highlights for customers and shareholders, while preparing2019

Business Highlights for long-term growth. Despite substantial gains in the Company’s intermodal and merchandise business, significant declines in coal volumes impaired top-line growth for the year. Nevertheless,2019

In 2019, CSX delivered a Company-record operating ratio of 69.4% in 2016.58.4%. In addition, CSX returned approximately $1.75$4.1 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases. For more detail on CSX’s performance in 2016,2019, please see the 20162019 Annual Report.

Stock Performance Graph

Stock Performance Graph

The cumulative five-year shareholder returns assuming reinvestment of dividends, on $100 invested at December 31, 20112014, assuming reinvestment of dividends, are illustrated on the graph below.accompanying graph. The Company references the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index (“S&P 500”), which is a registered trademark of theThe McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and the Dow Jones U.S. Transportation Average Index (“DJT”), which provide comparisons to a broad-based market index and other companies in the transportation industry.


       COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE RETURN

6       CSX Corporation 2020 Proxy Statement




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2016 Target Compensation Mix for the Named Executive Officers


Information regarding the compensation mix for the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and each of the other executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table (“Named Executive Officers” or “NEOs”) is set forth in the tables. The tables indicate that 52% of the CEO’s compensation and an average of 49% of the other Named Executive Officers’ compensation is at risk and subject to the achievement of one or more performance goals.

2016 CEO Target
Compensation Mix
Criteria for Board Membership

Overview

2016 NEO Target Compensation
Mix (excluding CEO)

Executive Compensation Highlights

The table below highlights the 2016 compensation for the Named Executive Officers as disclosed in theSummary Compensation Table.

Name and 2016 Title     SalaryStock AwardsOption
Awards
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
Change in Pension Value
and Nonqualified Deferred
Compensation Earnings
All Other
Compensation
Total
Michael J. Ward(1)
Chairman and CEO$1,200,000$6,317,982$2,316,907$2,059,200$1,563,377$122,638$13,580,104
Clarence W. Gooden(1)
President$700,000$1,754,999$643,584$1,001,000$438,531$56,509$4,594,623
Frank A. Lonegro 
Executive Vice President and CFO$500,000$1,520,986$386,150$643,500$484,797$31,825$3,567,258
Fredrik J. Eliasson(1) 
Executive Vice President and Chief Sales and    
Marketing Officer$600,000$1,872,005$514,867$772,200$901,672$35,567$4,696,311
Cynthia M. Sanborn
Executive Vice President and COO – CSX Transportation$550,000$1,872,005$514,867$807,850$1,113,588$35,976$4,894,286

(1)On February 14, 2017, Mr. Gooden resigned as President of the Company and assumed the title of Vice Chairman, and Mr. Eliasson was appointed President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of the Company, effective February 15, 2017. On March 6, 2017, (i) Mr. Ward resigned as Chairman and CEO, (ii) Mr. Gooden resigned as Vice Chairman and (iii) E. Hunter Harrison was appointed CEO, in each case, effective immediately. On March 7, 2016, Mr. Ward and Mr. Gooden each assumed the title of consultant and will retire from the Company as of May 31, 2017. On April 19, 2017, Mr. Harrison assumed the role of President from Mr. Eliasson, who will continue to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of the Company.


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Proxy Statement for 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?At our Annual Meeting, shareholders will act upon the matters outlined in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders above, including the election of the 13 director nominees named in this Proxy Statement, the ratification of the selection of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (the “Independent Auditors”) of CSX, the consideration of an advisory (non-binding) vote on executive compensation, the consideration of an advisory (non-binding) vote concerning the frequency of future votes on executive compensation and the consideration of an advisory (non-binding) vote concerning the reimbursement arrangements sought in connection with the retention of E. Hunter Harrison as CEO at CSX.
When and where will the Annual Meeting be held?The Annual Meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) on Monday, June 5, 2017 at The Jefferson Hotel, 101 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220. The facility is accessible to persons with disabilities. If you have a disability, we can provide assistance to help you participate in the Annual Meeting upon request. If you would like to obtain directions to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person, you can write to us at CSX Corporation, Office of the Corporate Secretary, 500 Water Street, C160, Jacksonville, Florida 32202, or call us at (904) 359-3256.
Why did I receive a notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials instead of a full set of proxy materials?In accordance with rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we may furnish proxy materials, including this Proxy Statement and our 2016 Annual Report, to our shareholders by providing access to such documents on the Internet instead of mailing printed copies. Most shareholders will not receive printed copies of the proxy materials unless requested. Instead, the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”), which was mailed to most of our shareholders, instructs you as to how you may access and review all of the proxy materials on the Internet. The Notice also instructs you as to how you may submit your proxy on the Internet. If you would like to receive a paper or email copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials in the Notice.
How do I get electronic access to the proxy materials?

The Notice provides you with instructions on how to:

view CSX’s proxy materials for the Annual Meeting on the Internet; and
instruct CSX to send future proxy materials to you electronically by email.

Choosing to receive your future proxy materials by email will save us the cost of printing and mailing documents to you and will reduce the impact of the printing and mailing of these materials on the environment. If you choose to receive future proxy materials by email, you will receive an email next year with instructions containing a link to those materials and a link to the proxy voting site. Your election to receive proxy materials by email will remain in effect until terminated.



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Who is soliciting my vote?The Board of Directors of CSX (the “Board”) is soliciting your vote on matters being submitted for shareholder approval at the Annual Meeting. The Company will pay the costs of preparing proxy materials and soliciting proxies, including the reimbursement, upon request, of trustees, brokerage firms, banks and other nominee record holders for the reasonable expenses they incur to forward proxy materials to beneficial owners. In addition to using mail, proxies may be solicited in person, by telephone or by electronic communication by officers and employees of the Company acting without special compensation.
Who is entitled to vote?Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 17, 2017 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof, unless a new record date is set in connection with any such adjournments or postponements. On April 17, 2017, there were issued and outstanding 922,621,259 shares of common stock, the only outstanding class of voting securities of the Company.
How many votes do I have?You will have one vote for every share of CSX common stock you owned at the close of business on the Record Date.
How many shares must be present to hold the Annual Meeting?

The Company’s bylaws provide that a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote constitutes a quorum at any meeting of shareholders. If a share is represented for any purpose at the Annual Meeting, it is deemed to be present for the transaction of all business. Abstentions and shares held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee that are voted on any matter are included in determining the number of shares present.

Shares held by a broker, bank or other nominee that are not voted on any matter at the Annual Meeting will not be included in determining whether a quorum is present.

Your vote is important and we urge you to vote by proxy even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.

What are the vote requirements for each proposal?

Election of Directors.In an uncontested election, a director is elected by a majority of votes cast for his or her election by the shares entitled to vote at a meeting at which a quorum is present. In accordance with the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, in an uncontested election, any incumbent director nominated for re-election as a director who is not re-elected in accordance with the Company’s bylaws shall promptly tender his or her resignation following certification of the shareholder vote. For more information on the procedures in these circumstances, seePrinciples of Corporate Governance below.

Other Proposals.For the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s Independent Auditors for 2017 (Item 2); for the approval, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, of the compensation of the Company’s NEOs (Item 3); and for the approval, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, of the reimbursement arrangements sought in connection with the retention of E. Hunter Harrison as CEO at CSX (Item 5), the proposal will be approved if the votes cast in favor of the proposal exceed the votes cast against the proposal. For the advisory (non-binding) vote concerning the frequency of future votes on NEO compensation (Item 4), if a majority is not received by any of the frequency choices, the frequency choice that receives a plurality of the votes cast will be considered the shareholders’ preferred frequency for holding future advisory (non-binding) votes on executive compensation, which will be considered by the Board in selecting a frequency choice.

Abstentions are not considered votes cast on any proposal and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote. “Broker non-votes” are not considered votes cast on Item 1, Item 3, Item 4 or Item 5, and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote. Brokers will have discretionary voting power regarding Item 2 in the event that beneficial owners, who own their shares in “street name,” do not provide voting instructions regarding Item 2.



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How do I vote?

You can vote either in person at the Annual Meeting or by proxy without attending the Annual Meeting. The shares represented by a properly executed proxy will be voted as you direct.

To vote by proxy, you must do one of the following:

Vote by Telephone.If you are a shareholder of record, you can vote your shares by telephone 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-690-6903 on a touch-tone telephone. Easy-to-follow voice prompts enable you to vote your shares and confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded. If you are a beneficial owner, or you hold your shares in “street name” (that is, through a bank, broker or other nominee), please check your voting instruction card or contact your bank, broker or nominee to determine whether you will be able to vote by telephone.

Vote by Internet.If you are a shareholder of record, you can also vote via the Internet by following the instructions in the Notice. The website address for Internet voting is indicated in the Notice. Internet voting is also available 24 hours a day. If you are a beneficial owner, or you hold your shares in “street name,” please check your voting instruction card or contact your bank, broker or nominee to determine whether you will be able to vote via the Internet.

Vote by Mail.If you requested printed proxy materials and choose to vote by mail, complete, sign, date and return your proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided if you are a shareholder of record or your voting instruction card if you are a beneficial owner, or hold your shares in “street name.” Please promptly mail your proxy card or voting instruction card to ensure that it is received prior to the Annual Meeting.

If you want to vote in person at the Annual Meeting and you hold your CSX stock in “street name,” you must obtain a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other nominee and bring that proxy to the Annual Meeting.

Can I change my vote?

Yes. If you are a shareholder of record, you may change your vote or revoke your proxy any time before it is voted by delivering written notice to CSX Corporation, Office of the Corporate Secretary, 500 Water Street, C160, Jacksonville, Florida 32202, by timely receipt of a later-dated signed proxy card or written revocation, by a later vote via the Internet or by telephone, or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting. If you hold your shares in “street name,” you should follow the instructions provided by your bank, broker or other nominee if you wish to change your vote.

Will my shares be voted if I do not provide voting instructions to my broker?

If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” by a bank, broker or other nominee, the bank, broker or other nominee is required to vote those shares in accordance with your instructions. If you do not give instructions to the banker, broker or other nominee, the broker will be entitled to vote the shares with respect to “discretionary” items but will not be permitted to vote the shares with respect to “non-discretionary” items (those shares are treated as “broker non-votes”).

The proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as CSX’s Independent Auditors for 2017 is considered a discretionary item for which a broker will have discretionary voting power if you do not give instructions with respect to this proposal. The proposals to: (i) elect directors, (ii) vote on an advisory (non-binding) resolution on executive compensation, (iii) vote on an advisory (non-binding) resolution concerning the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation, and (iv) vote on an advisory (non-binding) resolution concerning the reimbursement arrangements sought in connection with the retention of E. Hunter Harrison as CEO at CSX, are non-routine matters for which a broker will not have discretionary voting power and for which specific instructions from beneficial owners are required in order for a broker to vote your shares.



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What happens if I return my proxy card but do not give voting instructions?

If you are a shareholder of record and sign, date and return the white proxy card but do not give voting instructions, the shares represented by that proxy will be voted as recommended by the Board.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote:

1.  FORthe election of the 13 director nominees named in this Proxy Statement;
2.FORthe ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as CSX’s Independent Auditors for 2017;
3.FORthe approval, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, of the compensation of the Named Executive Officers as disclosed in these materials; and
4.FORthe approval, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, of a frequency ofEVERY YEARfor future advisory votes on executive compensation.

The Board is not making a recommendation with respect to Item 5, which is an advisory (non-binding) vote on the reimbursement arrangements sought in connection with the retention of E. Hunter Harrison as CEO at CSX. If a shareholder of record signs, dates and returns a white proxy card without providing voting instructions concerning Item 5, such shareholder’s shares will be treated as having abstained for purposes of this resolution.

What happens if other matters are properly presented at the Annual Meeting?

If any other matters are properly presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxies on the enclosed white proxy card will have discretion to vote on those matters for you. On the date we filed this Proxy Statement with the SEC, the Board did not know of any other matters to be brought before the Annual Meeting.

How are votes counted?

Votes are counted by an independent inspector of elections appointed by the Company.

What happens if the Annual Meeting is postponed or adjourned?

Unless a new record date has been fixed, your proxy will still be in effect and may be voted at the reconvened meeting. You will still be able to change your vote or revoke your proxy with respect to any item until the polls have closed for voting on such item.

How do I obtain admission to the Annual Meeting?

You will be issued an admission ticket at the shareholder registration desk at the Annual Meeting. If you hold shares in your name, please be prepared to provide proper identification, such as a driver’s license or other government-issued identification. If you hold your shares through a broker, bank or other nominee, you will need proof of ownership, such as a recent account statement or letter from your broker, bank or other nominee, along with proper identification. If you are a duly appointed proxy for a shareholder, you must provide proof of your proxy power and proof of share ownership for the shareholder for whom you are a proxy. In addition, if you are authorized to represent a corporate or institutional shareholder, you must also present proof that you are the authorized representative of such shareholder.

For security reasons, attendees will not be permitted to bring any packages, briefcases, large pocketbooks or bags into the meeting. Also, audio tape recorders, video and still cameras, laptops and other portable electronic devices will not be permitted into the meeting. We thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation with these rules.




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What is the deadline for consideration of shareholder proposals for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders?

Shareholder Proposals for Inclusion in Next Year’s Proxy Statement.A shareholder who wants to submit a proposal to be included in the proxy statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2018 Annual Meeting”) must send the proposal to CSX Corporation, Office of the Corporate Secretary, 500 Water Street, C160, Jacksonville, Florida, 32202, so that it is received on or before December 21, 2017, unless the date of the 2018 Annual Meeting is changed by more than 30 days from June 5, 2018, in which case the proposal must be received a reasonable time before the Company begins to print and mail its proxy materials for the 2018 Annual Meeting.

Shareholder Proposals or Director Nominees Not to be Included in Next Year’s Proxy Statement.A shareholder who wants to nominate a director or submit a proposal that will not be in the proxy statement but will be considered at the 2018 Annual Meeting, pursuant to the CSX bylaws, must send it to the principal office of CSX so that it is received not earlier than the close of business on February 5, 2018, nor later than the close of business on March 7, 2018 unless the date of the 2018 Annual Meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 70 days after June 5, 2018, in which case the nomination or proposal must be received not earlier than the 120th day prior to the date of the 2018 Annual Meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the date of the 2018 Annual Meeting or the 10thday following the day on which the Company first publicly announces the date of the 2018 Annual Meeting.

Director Nominees for Inclusion in Next Year’s Proxy Statement (Proxy Access).In 2015, the Company amended its bylaws to allow “proxy access.” Under the amended bylaws, a shareholder, or a group of up to 20 shareholders, owning 3% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock continuously for at least three years may submit director nominees (up to the greater of two directors or the number of directors representing 20% of the Board) for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement, subject to the other requirements set forth in the bylaws. To include a director nominee in the Company’s 2018 proxy statement, the proposing shareholder(s) must send notice and the required information to CSX Corporation, Office of the Corporate Secretary, 500 Water Street, C160, Jacksonville, Florida, 32202, so that it is received by December 21, 2017.

Does the Board consider director nominees recommended by shareholders?

Yes. The Governance Committee of the Board will review recommendations as to possible nominees received from shareholders and other qualified sources. The Governance Committee will evaluate possible nominees received from shareholders using the same criteria it uses for other director nominees. Shareholder recommendations should be submitted in writing addressed to the Chair of the Governance Committee, CSX Corporation, 500 Water Street, C160, Jacksonville, Florida 32202, and should include a statement about the qualifications and experience of the proposed nominee, as discussed further below. Shareholders who wish to nominate a director nominee should do so in accordance with the nomination provisions of the Company’s bylaws. In general, a shareholder nomination for the 2018 Annual Meeting must be delivered to the Company within the time periods described above and set forth in the Company’s bylaws.



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Item 1: Election of Directors


 


Election of Directors

The Board unanimously recommends a vote FOR the election of the following Director nominees.


ThirteenEleven directors are to be elected to hold office until the 20182021 Annual Meeting and their successors are elected and qualified. Unless otherwise specified, the proxy holders will cast votes FOR the election of the nominees named below. Each of the nominees, other than Messrs. Harrison, Hilal, Reilley, Zillmer and Ms. Riefler,Suzanne M. Vautrinot, was elected to the Board at the Company’s 20162019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Mr. Harrison, the Company’s CEO, was appointed to the Board effective March 6, 2017, the date he was appointed as CEO. Ms. Riefler and Messrs. Harrison, Hilal, Reilley and Zillmer were recommended by Company shareholder MR Argent Advisor LLC (“Mantle Ridge” and, together with its affiliated funds, the “Mantle Ridge Group”), which as of March 6, 2017 beneficially owned approximately 4.8% of the outstanding shares of CSX common stock and had additional economic exposure to 570,600 shares of CSX common stock under certain cash settled total return swaps. Mr. Hilal is the managing member of Mantle Ridge GP LLC, which is the general partner of Mantle Ridge LP, which is the sole member of Mantle Ridge.

Messrs. Hilal, Reilley and Zillmer and Ms. Riefler were each appointed to the Board effective March 6, 2017. The appointments of Ms. Riefler and Messrs. Harrison, Hilal, Reilley and Zillmer resulted from discussions between the Company and the Mantle Ridge Group regarding the Company’s strategic direction and Board composition. Following such discussions, on March 6, 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with the Mantle Ridge Group which is described under “Mantle Ridge and E. Hunter Harrison Agreements”and is referred to in this Proxy Statement as the “MR Agreement.”

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board has no reason to believe that any of the nominees named will be unable or unwilling to serve. There are no family relationships among any of these nominees or among any of these nominees and any executive officer of the Company. With the exception of the MR Agreement, there is no agreement or understanding between any nominee and any other person pursuant to which the nominee was selected.

Nominees for Board membership are expected to be prominent individuals who demonstrate leadership and possess outstanding integrity, values and judgment. Directors and nominees must be willing to devote the substantial time required to carry out the duties and responsibilities of directors. In addition, each Board member is expected to represent the broad interests of the Company and its shareholders as a group, and not any particular constituency.

Diversity

CSX strives to cultivate an environment that embraces teamwork and capitalizes on the value of diversity. Although the Board does not have a formal written diversity policy, the Governance Committee has a long-standing commitment to diversity and is guided by the Company’s diversity philosophy when considering director nominees. The Committee recognizes the importance of maintaining a Board with a broad scope of backgrounds and expertise that will expand the views and experiences available to the Board in its deliberations. Many factors are taken into account when evaluating director nominees, including their ability to assess and evaluate the Company’s strategies in the face of changing economic and regulatory environments that may impact customer and shareholder expectations. In addition, the Committee feels that candidates representing varied age, gender, cultural and ethnic backgrounds add to the overall diversity and viewpoints of the Board. The Governance Committee and the full Board believe that the director nominees listed below embody the breadth of backgrounds and experience necessary for a balanced and effective Board.

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ITEM 1: Election of Directors   |   Criteria for Board Membership

Key Skills and Experience

In determining the qualifications of a director nominee, the Board and the Governance Committee consider the following to be key skills and areas of experience:

Board’s Skills and
Experience as a Group
Business OperationsBusiness operations experience gives directors a practical understanding of developing, implementing and assessing the Company’s operating plan and business strategy.
Corporate GovernanceCorporate governance experience supports Board and management accountability, transparency and protection of shareholder interests.
Finance/ Capital AllocationFinancial and capital allocation experience is important in evaluating the Company’s capital structure.
Financial Expertise/ LiteracyFinancial expertise and literacy is important because it assists directors with their oversight of financial reporting and internal controls.
Government/ Public PolicyGovernment and public policy experience is important in understanding the regulatory environment in which the Company operates.
Risk ManagementRisk management experience is critical to the Board’s risk oversight role.
Marketing/SalesMarketing and sales experience is important to understanding the Company’s business strategies in developing new markets.
Talent ManagementTalent management experience is valuable in helping the Company attract, motivate and retain high performing employees, including succession planning efforts.
Transportation IndustryTransportation industry experience is important to understanding the dynamics within the freight transportation sector.

The chart above highlights some of the Board’s skills and experience as a group. The biography of each director also includes certain of their specific areas of expertise that resulted in the Board’s determination that each nominee is uniquely qualified to serve on the Board.

8       CSX Corporation 2020 Proxy Statement


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ITEM 1: Election of Directors   |   Criteria for Board Membership

Board Nominees

The Governance Committee has recommended to the Board, and the Board has approved, the persons named below as director nominees. The Board believes that each of the director nominees adds to the overall diversity of the Board. The director nominees bring a wide range of experience and expertise in management, railroad operations and financial markets. In addition, severalAs of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board has no reason to believe that any of the nominees named will be unable or unwilling to serve. If any of the nominees named is not available to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting (an event which the Board does not now anticipate), the proxies will be voted for the election of such other person or persons as the Board may designate, unless the Board, in its discretion, reduces the size of the Board.

There are no family relationships among any of these nominees are able to provide valuable perspective intoor among any of the politicalnominees and regulatory environments, as well as certain key markets.any executive officer of the Company.

The Board unanimously recommends a voteFORthe election of the following Director nominees.

Information regarding each director nominee follows. Each nominee has consented to being named in this Proxy Statement and to serve if elected.



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BOARD DIVERSITY

CSX strives to cultivate an environment that embraces teamwork and capitalizes on the value of diversity.

Although the Board does not have a formal written diversity policy, the Governance Committee has a long-standing commitment to diversity and is guided by the Company’s diversity philosophy when considering director nominees. The Committee recognizes the importance of maintaining a Board with a broad scope of backgrounds and expertise that will expand the views and experiences available to the Board in its deliberations. Many factors are taken into account when evaluating director nominees, including their ability to assess and evaluate a company’s strategies in the face of changing economic and regulatory environments that may impact customer and shareholder expectations. In addition, the Committee feels that candidates representing varied age, gender and cultural and ethnic backgrounds add to the overall diversity and viewpoints of the Board. The Governance Committee and the full Board believe that the director nominees listed below embody the breadth of backgrounds and experience necessary for a balanced and effective Board.




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Donna M. Alvarado
Independent Director
Nominee
Age71
Director since2006
     

Independent Director Nominee

Age:68Biographical Information

Director since:2006

CSX Committees:
Audit / Compensation / Public Affairs

Biographical Information:

Donna M. Alvaradois the founder and current President of Aguila International, a business-consulting firm. Previously, Ms. Alvarado served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Quest International, a global educational publishing company, from 1989-1993.1989 to 1993. She has served on corporate boards in the manufacturing, banking, transportation and services industries. She has also led state and national workforce policy boards.

Ms. Alvarado previously served as Chairwoman of the Ohio Board of Regents. Following executive and legislative staff appointments at the U.S. Department of Defense and in the U.S. Congress, Ms. Alvarado was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to lead the federal agency ACTION, the nation’s premier agency for civic engagement and volunteerism, a position which she held from 1985-1989.1985 to 1989.

Skills and Qualifications:
Qualifications

As a result of her experience in the public and private sector, Ms. Alvarado brings to the Board significant workforce planning expertise, which is complemented by her experience with the Ohio Board of Regents.
CSX Committees


Audit / Compensation and Talent Management
Other Public Directorships:Directorships
CoreCivic, Inc.
Park National Corporation

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Senator John B. Breaux

Independent Director Nominee

Age:73

Director since:2005

CSX Committees:
Executive / Governance / Public Affairs (Chair)

Biographical Information:

Senator John B. Breauxis a partner in the Breaux-Lott Leadership Group, a private consulting firm in Washington, D.C. owned by Squire Patton Boggs LLP. From 2005 through 2007, Senator Breaux served as Senior Counsel at Patton Boggs LLP. Senator Breaux held numerous leadership positions during his 14 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and 18-year tenure in the U.S. Senate, where he served on the House Public Works and Transportation Committee, the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee. Senator Breaux also founded the Centrist Coalition of Senate Democrats and Republicans and served as chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council.

Skills and Qualifications:
Senator Breaux’s extensive public policy and regulatory experience allows him to provide critical input on regulatory and legislative proposals that could have a material effect on railroad operations.

Other Public Directorships:
LHC Group, Inc.




TableITEM 1: Election of ContentsDirectors   |   Criteria for Board Membership

Pamela L. Carter
Independent Director Nominee
Age70
Director since2010
     

Independent Director Nominee

Age:67Biographical Information

Director since:2010

CSX Committees:
Executive / Finance (Chair) / Governance

Biographical Information:

Pamela L. Carterretired in July 2015 as Vice President of Cummins Inc. and President of Cummins Distribution Business, a division of Cummins Inc., a designer, manufacturer and marketer of diesel engines and related components and power systems. Ms. Carter joined Cummins Inc. in 1997 as Vice President — General Counsel and held various management positions before her appointment in 2008 as President of Cummins Distribution Business, a $5 billion business with a global footprint.

Prior to her career with Cummins, Ms. Carter served in various capacities with the State of Indiana and in the private practice of law. Ms. Carter was the first woman and the first African-American to be elected to the office of Attorney General in Indiana. Ms. Carter also became the first African-American woman to be elected state attorney general in the U.S.A.U.S. She served as Parliamentarian in the Indiana House of Representatives, Deputy Chief-of-Staff to Governor Evan Bayh, Executive Assistant for Health Policy & Human Services, and Securities Enforcement Attorney for the Office of the Secretary of State.

Skills and Qualifications:
Qualifications

With strong operational experience and extensive service in government, Ms. Carter provides the Board with in-depth knowledge and insight into operations, technology, regulatory, legal and public policy matters.
CSX Committees


Executive / Finance (Chair) / Governance
Other Public Directorships:Directorships
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.
Enbridge Inc.
Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company

James M. Foote
Management Director Nominee / President and Chief Executive Officer
Age66
Director since2017

Biographical Information

James M. Foote, a senior executive with over 40 years of railroad industry experience in finance, operations and sales and marketing, was named President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of CSX in December 2017. Mr. Foote joined CSX as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in October 2017. Prior to joining CSX, Mr. Foote was President and Chief Executive Officer of Bright Rail Energy, a technology company formed in 2012 to design, develop and sell products that allow railroads to switch locomotives to natural gas power. Before heading Bright Rail, Mr. Foote was Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing with Canadian National Railway Company. Mr. Foote joined Canadian National in 1995 as Vice President – Investor Relations to assist the company’s privatization. He also served as Vice President Sales and Marketing – Merchandise at Canadian National.

Skills and Qualifications

Mr. Foote has expertise in railroad operations, including the scheduled railroading operating model, and sales and marketing. He also provides the Board with significant knowledge and understanding of the Company and its business.
CSX Committees
Executive (Chair)

Other Public Directorships
None

10       CSX Corporation 2020 Proxy Statement


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ITEM 1: Election of Directors   |   Criteria for Board Membership

Steven T. Halverson
Independent Director Nominee
Age65
Director since2006
     

Independent Director Nominee

Age:62Biographical Information

Director since:2006

CSX Committees:
Audit / Compensation

Biographical Information:

Steven T. Halversonis the Chairman and former Chief Executive Officer of The Haskell Company, one of the largest design and construction firms in the United States. Prior to joining The Haskell Company in 1999, Mr. Halverson served as a Senior Vice President of M.A. Mortenson, a national construction firm. Mr. Halverson also serves as a director for GuidewellGuideWell Mutual Insurance andHoldings, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, ACIG Insurance Co.,and is past chair of the Florida CounselCouncil of 100, (past chair), the Florida Chamber of Commerce, (past chair), the Construction Industry Roundtable (past chair) and the Jacksonville Civic Council (past chair).Council. From 2008 until its sale to McKesson Corporation in 2013, Mr. Halverson served on the board of directors of PSS World Medical.

Skills and Qualifications:
Qualifications

Mr. Halverson’s expertise in the construction industry allows him to provide unique insight and perspective on the U.S. economy and certain CSX markets. In addition, through his roles with key organizations in Florida, Mr. Halverson provides broad leadership capabilities to the Board.
CSX Committees


Audit / Compensation and Talent Management (Chair) / Executive
Other Public Directorships:Directorships
None



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E. Hunter Harrison

Management Director Nominee

Chief Executive Officer and President

Age:72

Director since:2017

CSX Committees:
Executive (Chair)

Biographical Information:

E. Hunter Harrisonsuccessfully led the turnaround of three major railroads over the last 25 years through his Precision Scheduled Railroading model. Mr. Harrison served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (“Canadian Pacific”) from 2012 to 2017, during which time he was also a member of the board of directors. Prior to leading Canadian Pacific, Mr. Harrison served as President and Chief Executive Officer at Canadian National Railway Company from 2003 to 2009 and as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from 1998 to 2002. He also served on the board of directors of Canadian National Railway Company for 10 years. Mr. Harrison also draws upon experience from Illinois Central Corporation, Illinois Central Rail Road Company and Burlington Northern.

From 2014 to 2015, Mr. Harrison served on the board of directors of Foresight Energy LP. Additionally, Mr. Harrison was a director of Dynegy Inc. (“Dynegy”) from March 9 to December 16, 2011 (Chairman from July 11 to December 16, 2011), as well as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer from April 9 to July 11, 2011.

Skills and Qualifications:
Mr. Harrison has extensive experience successfully leading major railroads and implementing “Precision Scheduled Railroading.” He has been recognized by every major railroading publication, and he has twice been honored as Railroader of the Year. His decades of executive leadership in the rail industry provide significant insight and value to the Board.

Other Public Directorships:
None



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Paul C. Hilal

Director Nominee

Age:50

Director since:2017
/ Vice Chairman of the Board

CSX Committees:
AgeCompensation / Executive / Finance / Governance53
Director since2017
     

Biographical Information:Information

Paul C. Hilalfounded and controls MR Argent Advisor LLC and its affiliated funds (“Mantle Ridge,Ridge”), and each of its related entities.

Prior to founding Mantle Ridge, Mr. Hilal was a partner and senior investment professional at Pershing Square Capital Management where he worked from 2006 to 2016. From 2012 to 2016, Mr. Hilal served as a director of Canadian Pacific Railway Limited where he was chair of the Management Resources and Compensation Committee and a member of the Finance Committee. Mr. Hilal currently serves on the Board of Overseers of Columbia Business School and served until 2016 on the Board of the Grameen Foundation – an umbrella organization that helps micro-lending and micro-franchise institutions empower the world’s poorest through financial inclusion and entrepreneurship.

Skills and Qualifications:
Qualifications

Mr. Hilal draws on his experience as a value investor, as a capital allocator, and as an engaged director driving shareholder value and in thevalue. Additionally, through his railroad industry to provideexperience and perspective, Mr. Hilal provides the Board valuable insight regarding the financial aspects of CSX’s business.
CSX Committees


Executive / Finance
Other Public Directorships:Directorships
NoneAramark Corporation

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Edward J. Kelly, III

Independent Director Nominee

Age:63

Director since:2002
Chairman of the Board

CSX Committees:
Compensation / Executive / Governance

Biographical Information:

Edward J. Kelly, IIIretired as Chairman of the Institutional Clients Group at Citigroup, Inc. in July 2014. He joined Citigroup, Inc. in 2008, and served at various points as Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Global Banking at Citigroup, among other roles.

Mr. Kelly previously served as Managing Director at The Carlyle Group and Vice Chairman of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. following PNC’s acquisition of Mercantile Bankshares Corporation in March 2007. At Mercantile, Mr. Kelly held the offices of Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President from March 2003 until March 2007, and was Chief Executive Officer and President from March 2001 to March 2003. Before joining Mercantile, Mr. Kelly served as Managing Director and co-head of Investment Banking Client Management at J.P. Morgan Chase and Managing Director and Head of Global Financial Institutions at J.P. Morgan. Previously, Mr. Kelly was General Counsel at J.P. Morgan and a partner at the law firm of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, where he specialized in matters related to financial institutions. Early in his career, Mr. Kelly served as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. and U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Clement F. Haynsworth, Jr.

Mr. Kelly previously served on the boards of directors for The Hartford Financial Services Group, The Hershey Company and Paris RE Holdings.

Skills and Qualifications:
As an executive with expertise in the banking industry, Mr. Kelly provides extensive financial, regulatory and governance experience to the Board. He offers important perspective on global financial markets.

Other Public Directorships:
XL Group plc
MetLife Inc.



TableITEM 1: Election of ContentsDirectors   |   Criteria for Board Membership

John D. McPherson
Independent Director
Nominee
Age73
Director since2008
     

Independent Director Nominee

Age:70Biographical Information

Director since:2008

CSX Committees:
Finance / Public Affairs

Biographical Information:

John D. McPhersonserved as President and Chief Operating Officer of Florida East Coast Railway, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Florida East Coast Industries, Inc., from 1999 until his retirement in 2007. From 1993 to 1998, Mr. McPherson served as Senior Vice President – Operations, and from 1998 to 1999, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Illinois Central Railroad. Prior to joining the Illinois Central Railroad, Mr. McPherson served in various capacities at Santa Fe Railroad for 25 years.

From 2012 to 2015, Mr. McPherson served on the board of directors of Las Vegas Railway Express, a start-up passenger railroad that plans to operate between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.Express. From 1997 to 2007, Mr. McPherson served as a member of the board of directors of TTX Company, a railcar provider and freight car management services joint venture of North American railroads.

Skills and Qualifications:
Qualifications

As a result of his extensive career in the rail industry, Mr. McPherson serves as an expert in railroad operations.
CSX Committees


Compensation and Talent Management / Governance
Other Public Directorships:Directorships
None



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David M. Moffett
Independent Director
Nominee
Age68
Director since2015
     

Independent Director Nominee

Age:65Biographical Information

Director since:2015

CSX Committees:
Audit (Chair) / Executive / Finance

Biographical Information:

David M. Moffettserved as the Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation from September 2008 until his retirement in March 2009. He previously served as a Senior Advisor with the Carlyle Group LLC from May 2007 to September 2008, and as the Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of U.S. Bancorp from 2001 to 2007, after its merger with Firstar Corporation where he served as Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer from 1998 to 2001. Mr. Moffett also served as Chief Financial Officer of StarBanc Corporation, a predecessor to Firstar Corporation, from 1993 to 1998.

Mr. Moffett currently serves as the lead independent director on the board of directors of PayPal Holdings, Inc. He also serves as a trustee on the boards of Columbia Fund Series Trust I and Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust, overseeing approximately 52 funds within the Columbia Funds mutual fund complex. In addition, he serves as a trustee for the University of Oklahoma Foundation. Mr. Moffett also has served as a consultant to Bridgewater and Associates.

From 2007 to 2015, Mr. Moffett served on the board of directors of eBay, Inc. From 2010 to 2016, Mr. Moffett served on the board of directors of CIT Group Inc.

Skills and Qualifications:
Qualifications
Mr. Moffett has

With his many years of experience as a chief executive officer or chief financial officer of public financial services companies, as well asMr. Moffett is able to provide valuable insight to the Board concerning financial matters. He is also able to leverage his significant public policy experience.
CSX Committees


Audit (Chair) / Executive / Finance
Other Public Directorships:Directorships
PayPal Holdings, Inc.
Genworth Financial, Inc.

12       CSX Corporation 2020 Proxy Statement




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Dennis H. Reilley

Independent Director Nominee

Age:63

Director since:2017

CSX Committees:
Audit / Executive / Finance / Governance (Chair)

Biographical Information:

Dennis H. Reilleyis the retired Chairman, President and CEO of Praxair, Inc. Prior to joining Praxair in 2000, Mr. Reilley served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of E.I. Dupont de Nemours and Company and its former energy subsidiary, Conoco Inc., from 1999 to 2000. Mr. Reilley has served as non-executive chairman of Marathon Oil Corporation since 2014 and has served as board member since 2002. He has also served as director of Dow Chemical Company since 2007. Mr. Reilley served as a director of Covidien PLC from 2007 to 2015 (as Chairman from 2007 to 2008 and as Lead Director from 2008 to 2013). Prior to his appointment to the CSX Board, Mr. Reilley was an advisory board member of Trian Advisory Partners, of which he was a founding member. Additionally, Mr. Reilley served as a director of H.J. Heinz Company from 2005 to 2013 and the Entergy Corporation from 1999 to 2005, as well as a former chairman of the American Chemistry Council.

Skills and Qualifications:
Drawing on his expertise in finance, operations and leadership on the boards of Fortune 500 companies, Mr. Reilley provides the Board valuable insight and exposure to different approaches to governance and other key issues.

Other Public Directorships:
Marathon Oil Corporation
Dow Chemical Company



TableITEM 1: Election of ContentsDirectors   |   Criteria for Board Membership

Linda H. Riefler
Independent Director
Nominee
Age59
Director since2017
     

Independent Director Nominee

Age:55Biographical Information

Director since:2017

CSX Committees:
Audit / Compensation / Public Affairs

Biographical Information:

Linda H. Rieflerserved as the Chairman of Global Research at Morgan Stanley from 2011 to 2013 and prior to that as Global Head of Research since 2008. From 2006 to 2008 she served as the Chief Talent Officer of Morgan Stanley. While at Morgan Stanley, in these roles,which role she served on both the Management Committee for seven years and the Operating Committee for two years.of Morgan Stanley. Ms. Riefler joined Morgan Stanley in 1987 in the Capital Markets division and was elected a managing director in 1998, while in the research division.1998.

Skills and Qualifications:
Qualifications

Ms. Riefler draws on her experience at Morgan Stanley to provide the Board perspective on internal growth strategies, risk and external growth strategies,management, debt and equity financings, and capital market allocations.
CSX Committees

Compensation and Talent Management / Governance
Other Public Directorships:Directorships
MSCI, Inc.

Suzanne M. Vautrinot
Independent Director
Nominee
Age60
Director since2019

Biographical Information

Suzanne M. Vautrinot is the Founder and President of Kilovolt Consulting, Inc., a cyber security strategy and technology consulting firm.

In 2013, Ms. Vautrinot retired from the United States Air Force (“USAF”) as a Major General following a distinguished 31-year career where she influenced the development and application of critical cyber security and space technology. From 2011 to 2013, Ms. Vautrinot served as Commander of the USAF’s Cyber Command where she oversaw a multibillion-dollar cyber enterprise and led a workforce of 14,000 personnel conducting offensive and defensive cyber operations worldwide. She served as the Deputy Commander for Joint Forces Component Command Network Warfare and was instrumental in creating, operating and protecting U.S. Cyber Command and the global network architecture. During her career in the USAF, Ms. Vautrinot also served as Director of Plans and Policy, U. S. Cyber Command and Deputy Commander, Network Warfare, U.S. Strategic Command, as well as Commander - Air Force Recruiting Service.

Skills and Qualifications

Ms. Vautrinot provides the Board with expertise in cyber security, risk management, corporate governance and talent management.
CSX Committees
Audit / Governance

Other Public Directorships
Ecolab, Inc.
Parsons Corporation
Wells Fargo & Co.

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Table of Contents

ITEM 1: Election of Directors   |   Criteria for Board Membership

J. Steven Whisler
Independent Director
Nominee
Age65
Director since2011
     

Independent Director Nominee

Age:62Biographical Information

Director since:2011

CSX Committees:
Audit / Finance

Biographical Information:

J. Steven Whisleris the retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Phelps Dodge Corporation, a mining and manufacturing company, where he served in many roles from 1981 until his retirement in 2007. During his tenure at Phelps Dodge Corporation, Mr. Whisler was instrumental in the implementation of its “Zero and Beyond” safety program designed to eliminate workplace injuries and its “Quest for Zero” process-improvement program designed to, among other things, eliminate environmental waste while enhancing product quality.

Mr. Whisler also served as director of US Airways Group, Inc. from 2005 until 2011, and Burlington Northern Santa Fe from 1995 until its acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway in 2010.

Skills and Qualifications:
Qualifications

Through his prior tenure on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe board of directors and as a former executive in the mining industry, Mr. Whisler brings to the Board invaluable safety program experience, railroad knowledge and familiarity with certain key markets.
CSX Committees

Audit / Finance
Other Public Directorships:Directorships
Brunswick Corporation
International Paper Co.


Table of Contents

John J. Zillmer
Independent Director Nominee / Chairman of the Board
Age64
Director since2017
     

Independent Director Nominee

Age:61Biographical Information

Director since:2017

CSX Committees:
Compensation (Chair) / Executive / Governance / Public Affairs

Biographical Information:

John J. Zillmeris the former executive chairman, presidentChairman, President and chief executive officerChief Executive Officer of Aramark Corporation, a food service, facilities, and uniform services provider with revenues in excess of $16 billion in 2019. Prior to joining Aramark, Mr. Zillmer served as the Executive Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Univar Inc., a global chemical distributor and Fortune 500 company, where he also served as a director from 2009 to 2012. Prior to joining Univar, Mr. Zillmer served as chairmanChairman and chief executive officerChief Executive Officer of Allied Waste Industries, Inc. from 2005 to 2008, leading an operational transformation whichthat has become an industry benchmark. He currently serves as a director of Reynolds American, Inc., Ecolab, Inc., Veritiv Corporation and Performance Food Group Company. Mr. Zillmer has also served as a director of Liberty Capital Partners, a private equity and venture capital firm specializing in start-ups,startups, early stage, growth equity, buyouts and acquisitions, since June 2004.acquisitions. Mr. Zillmer also serves on the North American advisory board of CVC Capital Partners. He previously served on the board of Reynolds American, Inc. from 2007 until its acquisition by British American Tobacco in 2017.

Skills and Qualifications:
Qualifications

Mr. Zillmer provides the Board valuable insight on business optimization and improvement, in addition to labor relations, environmental safety, logistics, corporate governance and talent management.
CSX Committees

Compensation and Talent Management / Executive / Governance (Chair)
Other Public Directorships:
Reynolds American, Inc.Directorships
Ecolab, Inc.
Veritiv Corporation1
Performance Food Group CompanyAramark Corporation
1Mr. Zillmer currently serves on the board of directors of Veritiv Corporation but will not stand for re-election at Veritiv’s annual meeting to be held on April 29, 2020.

14     CSX Corporation 2020 Proxy Statement




Table of Contents

What are the directors’ qualifications to serve on the CSX BoardITEM 1: Election of Directors?Directors | Director Independence

The table below highlights the qualifications and experience of each nominee that resulted in the Board’s determination that each nominee is uniquely qualified to serve on the Board.

Director Qualifications and ExperienceDirector Independence

BUSINESS OPERATIONSgives directors a practical understanding of developing, implementing and assessing the Company’s operating plan and business strategy.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCEexperience supports Board and management accountability, transparency and protection of shareholder interests.
FINANCE / CAPITAL ALLOCATIONexperience is important in evaluating the Company’s capital structure.
FINANCIAL EXPERTISE / LITERACYis important because it assists directors with their oversight of financial reporting and internal controls.
GOVERNMENT / PUBLIC POLICYexperience is important in understanding the regulatory environment in which the Company operates.
RISK MANAGEMENTexperience is critical to the Board’s risk oversight role.
MARKETING / SALESexperience is important to understanding the Company’s business strategies in developing new markets.
TALENT MANAGEMENTexperience is valuable in helping the Company attract, motivate and retain high performing employees, including succession planning efforts.
TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRYexperience is important to understanding the dynamics within the freight transportation sector.

What if a nominee is unable to serve as director?

If any of the nominees named above is not available to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting (an event which the Board does not now anticipate), the proxies will be voted for the election of such other person or persons as the Board may designate, unless the Board, in its discretion (but subject to the terms of the MR Agreement), reduces the number of directors. Furthermore, if Ms. Riefler or Messrs. Harrison, Hilal, Reilley or Zillmer are not available to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, proxies will be voted for the election of such other person or persons designated by Mantle Ridge pursuant to the MR Agreement, subject to the terms thereof.



Table of Contents

Director Independence

The Board annually evaluates the independence of each of its directors and, acting through its Governance Committee, the performance of each of its directors. In evaluating the independence of each of its directors, the Board considers the NasdaqNASDAQ Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”NASDAQ”) listing standards and reviews transactions or relationships, if any, between each director, director nominee or his or her immediate family and the Company or its subsidiaries. The purpose of this review is to determine whether any such relationships or transactions would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment by the director or director nominee in carrying out his or her responsibilities as a director, and thus, be inconsistent with a determination that the director or director nominee is independent. The Board also considers the independence of its committee members under applicable tax and securities laws.

In March 2017,February 2020, after considering NasdaqNASDAQ listing standards, the Board, upon recommendation from the Governance Committee, determined that the following directorsdirector nominees are independent under the NasdaqNASDAQ listing standards: Donna M. Alvarado, John B. Breaux, Pamela L. Carter, Steven T. Halverson, Edward J. Kelly, III, John D. McPherson, David M. Moffett, Dennis H. Reilley, Linda H. Riefler, Suzanne M. Vautrinot, J. Steven Whisler and John J. Zillmer. Paul C. Hilal joined the Board in 2017, and was not deemed an independent director as a result of a reimbursement payment from CSX to MR Argent Advisor LLC and its affiliated funds (“Mantle Ridge”), which Mr. Hilal founded and controls. The reimbursement arrangement was approved by shareholders on June 5, 2017, and was part of the transaction through which Mantle Ridge brought E. Hunter Harrison to CSX as President and Chief Executive Officer. Under NASDAQ listing standards, there is a three-year look back before Mr. Hilal would be able to be considered independent. Although the Board also determined that David M. Ratcliffe and Donald J. Shepard, neither of whom is standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting, aredid not affirmatively determine Mr. Hilal to be independent under the NasdaqNASDAQ listing standards.standards, the Board is not aware of any facts, at this time, that would prevent an affirmative independence determination after June 2020.

Principles of Corporate Governance

Principles of Corporate Governance

The Board is committed to corporate governance principles and practices that facilitate the fulfillment of its fiduciary duties to shareholdersthe Company and to the Company.its shareholders. The Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines that reflect the high standards that employees, investors, customers, suppliers and others can and should expect. Key corporate governance principles observed by the Board and the Company include:

separation of the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer;

nomination of a slate of directors for election to the Board, a substantial majority of which are independent, as that term is defined in the NasdaqNASDAQ listing standards;

establishment of qualification guidelines for director candidates and review of each director’s performance and continuing qualifications for Board membership;

the requirement that the Audit Committee, Compensation and Talent Management Committee and Governance Committee be comprised solely of independent directors;

the requirement that the Governance and Compensation Committees be comprised solely of independent directors, unless the Board, in exceptional and limited circumstances, determines that electing one director who does not meet the independence requirements to serve on either such committee is required by the best interests of CSX and its shareholders;

authority for the Governance, Compensation and Talent Management and Audit Committees to retain outside, independent advisors and consultants when appropriate;

adoption of a Code of Ethics, which meets applicable rules and regulations and covers all directors, officers and employees of CSX;

adoption of a Policy Regarding Shareholder Rights Plans, establishing parameters around the adoption of any future shareholder rights plan, including the expiration of any such plan within one year of adoption if the plan does not receive shareholder approval or ratification;

adoption of a Policy Regarding Shareholder Approval of Severance Agreements, requiring shareholder approval of certain future severance agreements with senior executives that provide benefits in an amount exceeding a threshold set forth in the policy;

a majority voting standard with a director resignation policy in an uncontested election; and

adoption of a proxy access bylaw.

CSX’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Ethics are available on the Company’s website athttp://investors.csx.comunder the heading “Corporate“Environmental, Social and Governance.” Shareholders may also request a free copy of any of these documents by writing to CSX Corporation, Office of the Corporate Secretary, 500 Water Street, C160, Jacksonville, Florida 32202. Any waivers of or changes to the Code of Ethics that apply to our directors or executive officers will be disclosed on CSX’s website athttp://www.csx.com. There were no waivers to the Code of Ethics in 2016.2019.

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Table of Contents

ITEM 1: Election of Directors   |   Shareholder Outreach and Engagement

Shareholder Outreach and Engagement

We believe that on-going shareholder engagement is a key component of effective corporate governance that allows the Company to better understand evolving trends and enable strategic decision-making to deliver shareholder value. We conduct shareholder outreach throughout the year to ensure that management and the Board understand and consider our shareholders’ views on important issues.

Senior leaders and subject matter experts from the Company meet routinely with representatives from many of our institutional shareholders and periodically with proxy advisory firms to discuss CSX’s business strategy, corporate governance practices, executive compensation, and environmental, social and governance matters. Members of the Board participate in these meetings from time to time.

In addition to this shareholder outreach, CSX also engages with shareholders and other interested parties through its participation in industry and investment community conferences, investor road shows, and analyst meetings. In addition, we continue to successfully engage with individual shareholders to advance issues that are in the best interests of our broad and diverse shareholder base.

Shareholders who wish to communicate with the Board, or with a particular director, may forward appropriate correspondence to CSX Corporation, Office of the Corporate Secretary, 500 Water Street, C160, Jacksonville, Florida 32202. Pursuant to procedures established by the non-management directors of the Board, the Office of the Corporate Secretary will forward appropriate correspondence to the Board or a particular director. Appropriate correspondence generally includes any legitimate, non-harassing inquiries or statements. Interested parties who wish to communicate with the Chairman of the Board or non-managementnon-employee directors may forward correspondence to CSX Corporation, the Chairman of the Board, CSX Board of Directors, 500 Water Street, C160, Jacksonville, Florida 32202.



TableBoard of ContentsDirectors’ Role in Risk Oversight

Board of Directors’ Role in Risk Oversight

Pursuant to its charter, the Audit Committee of the Board has primary responsibility for overseeing the Company’s business risk management (“BRM”) processes.oversight. In addition to regular risk presentations to the Audit Committee, management periodically reports to the Board and its other committees on current risks and the Company’s approach to avoiding and mitigating risk exposure.

The BRM process at CSXCompany’s Business Risk Management (“BRM”) program includes activities related to the identification, assessment, mitigation and monitoring of risks. The CSX risk universe is divided into the following broad risk categories:

Compliance— Risks directly impacting CSX’s ability to meet or comply with state, federal or local rules and regulations (e.ge.g.., environmental lawlaws and regulation)regulations);

Strategic— Risks (and opportunities) directly impacting CSX’s ability to achieve or exceed its stated longer term strategic objectives (e.ge.g.., market demand shifts); and

External— Risks arising from events outside CSX and beyond the Company’s direct influence or control (e.ge.g.., economic downturn)downturn, cyber and other security risks).

The objective of the BRM processprogram is to facilitate timely identification and review of new and existing risks along with overseeing the development and execution of mitigation plans. A well-established risk management structure is leveraged to govern the program.


BRM Oversight Structure

CSX Board Audit Committee

Executive Oversight Committee

Leadership Council

Compliance
Committee

External
Committee

Strategic
Committee

Risk Owners

Risks are prioritized based on their inherent and residualpotential impacts on the Company. On an ongoing basis, risks are evaluated to track the status of key mitigation activities along with the trends of key indicators. Ultimately, the BRM processprogram provides an opportunity for business and functional leadership to collaborate on the key Company risks and identify needed mitigation steps to help advance the Company’s objectives.

Board of Directors’ Role in Succession Planning

Board of Directors’ Role in Succession Planning

The Board is responsible for succession planning for the Board, as well as senior management.management, including the CEO. In addition to routine succession planning efforts by the Board and the Governance Committee throughout the year, the full Board engages in a comprehensive management succession planning exercise at itson an annual strategy conferencebasis where it analyzes potential succession candidates across all senior management positions. Although the Board focuses on the senior executive team and CEO succession, directors

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Table of Contents

ITEM 1: Election of Directors   |   Transactions with Related Persons and Other Matters

also discuss the pipeline for other key roles in the Company. As part of this exercise, the Board reviews skills, competencies and readiness levels of succession candidates and recommends development plans to ensure that management succession candidates are adequately prepared for planned and unexpected transitions.

As part of its succession planning efforts for potential director nominees, the Board considers, among other factors, diversity of backgroundsTransactions with Related Persons and experience, the tenure and skill sets of existing directors and expertise in areas of strategic focus.

In connection with the Board’s succession planning, on February 21, 2017 the Company announced the retirements of Michael Ward, as CEO of the Company and Clarence Gooden, as President of the Company. Mr. Ward was succeeded as CEO by Mr. Harrison, effective March 6, 2017, and Mr. Gooden was succeeded as President by Fredrik Eliasson, effective February 15, 2017. On April 19, 2017, Mr. Harrison assumed the role of President from Mr. Eliasson.



Table of ContentsOther Matters

The Board believes that the thirteen director nominees standing for election at this year's Annual Meeting possess a diverse breadth of experience that will bolster management's positioning of CSX to respond to volatile macroeconomic conditions and challenges facing CSX and the rail industry.

Transactions with Related Persons and Other Matters

CSX operates under a Code of Ethics that requires all employees, officers and directors, without exception, to avoid engaging in activities or relationships that conflict, or would be perceived to conflict, with the Company’s interests or adversely affect its reputation. It is understood, however, that certain relationships or transactions may arise that would be deemed acceptable and appropriate upon full disclosure of the transaction, following review to ensure there is a legitimate business reason for the transaction and that the terms of the transaction are no less favorable to CSX than could be obtained from an unrelated person. The Audit Committee is responsible for review and oversight of all transactions with related persons. CSX has not adopted written procedures for reviewing Related Person Transactions, but generally follows the procedures described below.below in accordance with Item 404 of Regulation S-K.

A “Related Person Transaction” is a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which: (i) CSX (including any of its subsidiaries) was, is or will be a participant; (ii) the amount involved exceeds $120,000 in any fiscal year; and (iii) any Related Person had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest (other than solely as a result of being a director or a less than 10% beneficial owner of another entity).

CSX considers aA “Related Person” to be:includes: (i) any person who is, or at any time since the beginning of the last fiscal year was, a director or executive officer or a nominee to become a director; (ii) any person who is known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of CSX’s voting securities; (iii) any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons, which means any child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law of the director, executive officer, nominee or more than 5% beneficial owner, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of such director, executive officer, nominee or more than 5% beneficial owner; and (iv) any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is employed or is a partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person has a 5% or greater beneficial ownership interest.

On an annual basis, in response to the Directors and Officers Questionnaire (“Questionnaire”) and a Related Person Transaction survey (“Survey”), each director, director nominee and executive officer submits to the Corporate Secretary a description of any current or proposed Related Person Transactions. Directors and executive officers are expected to notify the Corporate Secretary of any updates to the list of Related Person Transactions during the year. If Related Person Transactions are identified, those transactions are reviewed by the Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee will evaluate Related Person Transactions based on:

information provided byto the Board during the required annual affirmation of independence;

applicable responses to the Questionnaires and SurveySurveys submitted to the Company; and

any other applicable information provided by any director or executive officer of the Company, or obtained through internal database queries.

In connection with the review of any Related Person Transaction, the Audit Committee will consider whether the transaction will be a conflict of interest or give the appearance of a conflict of interest. In the case of any Related Person Transaction involving an outside director or nominee for director, the Audit Committee will also consider whether the transaction will compromise the director’s status as an independent director as prescribed in the NasdaqNASDAQ listing standards.

There were no Related Person TransactionsShare Repurchase.On October 17, 2019, concurrently with the sale by Mantle Ridge of approximately 18.8 million shares of the Company’s stock to a major financial institution in 2016. On March 6, 2017,an unregistered block trade, the Company entered into the MR Agreement withrepurchased approximately 4.7 million shares of its common stock from Mantle Ridge Group regarding, among other things,at the membership and compositionsame purchase price per share as was paid by the financial institution for aggregate cash consideration of the Board and the appointment of Mr. Harrison as CEO of the Company. Mr. Hilal is the managing member of Mantle Ridge GP LLC, which is the general partner of Mantle Ridge LP, which is the sole member of Mantle Ridge. The MRapproximately $319 million pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement is described in detail under “Mantle Ridge and E. Hunter Harrison Agreements” below. On March 30, 2017,between the Company and theMantle Ridge. A member of CSX’s Board of Directors, Paul C. Hilal, founded and controls Mantle Ridge Group entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). The Registration Rights Agreement was contemplated by the MR Agreement. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Mantle Ridge Group shareholders may request that the Company file a registration statement to register the saleand each of sharesits related entities.

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Table of CSX common stock that the Mantle Ridge Group shareholders beneficially own, subject to the limitationsContents

ITEM 1: Election of Directors   |   Compensation Committee Interlocks and conditions provided in the Registration Rights Agreement. The Registration Rights Agreement is more fully described in,Insider Participation

Compensation Committee Interlocks and is attached as an exhibit to, the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 3, 2017 with the SEC.Insider Participation

Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

Mr. Harrison was a director of Dynegy from March 9 to December 16, 2011 (Chairman from July 11 to December 16, 2011), as well as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer from April 9 to July 11, 2011. On July 6, 2012, Dynegy filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code as a preliminary step necessary to facilitate the restructuring of one or more of Dynegy’s subsidiaries. Dynegy exited bankruptcy on October 1, 2012.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

No member of the Compensation and Talent Management Committee is, or in 2019 was, an executive officer or former executive officer or employee of the Company. In addition, no executive officer of the Company served on the board of directors of any entity whose executive officers included a director of the Company.



Table of ContentsBoard Leadership and Committee Structure

Board Leadership and Committee Structure

On March 6, 2017, CSX separated the roles of Chairman and CEO. The Board believes that at this time, and based on the Company’s current circumstances, the positions of Chairman and CEO should be separate, with the Chairman of the Board role being filled by an independent director. As the Chairman will be an independent director, the Presiding Director role has been eliminated as of March 6, 2017. Mr. Kelly, who previously served as Presiding Director, currently serves as the Chairman of the Board. The duties of the Chairman include: (i) calling special meetings of the Board,Board; (ii) presiding at all meetings of the Board and shareholders,shareholders; (iii) in consultation with the Vice Chairman of the Board, determining the agenda, schedule and meeting materials for meetings of the Board in consultation with the Vice Chairman of the Board; (iv) guiding Board discussions and facilitating discussions between the Board and the Company’s management,management; (v) interacting with the Company’s analysts, investors, employees and other key constituenciesconstituencies; and (vi) keeping the Vice Chairman informed, and consulting with the Vice Chairman, as to material internal and external discussions the Chairman has, and material developments the Chairman learns, about the Company and the Board.

On March 6, 2017, CSX also created the role ofThe Chairman is assisted by a Vice Chairman of the Board to consult with, advise and assist the Chairman of the Board in the performance of the duties of the Chairman. Mr. Hilal currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Board. The duties of the Vice Chairman include: (i) providing input on the agenda, schedules and meeting materials for meetings of the Board,Board; (ii) assisting in guiding Board discussions and facilitating communication between the Board and the Company’s management,management; (iii) interacting with the Company’s analysts, investors, employees and other key constituencies,constituencies; (iv) performing the duties of Chairman in the absence or at the request of the ChairmanChairman; and (v) keeping the Chairman informed, and consulting with the Chairman, as to material internal and external discussions the Vice Chairman has, and material developments the Vice Chairman learns, about the Company and the Board.

The CSX Board has sixfive standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Talent Management Committee, the Executive Committee, the Finance Committee, the Governance Committee and the Public AffairsGovernance Committee. Each of these committees has a written charter approved by the Board, a copy of which can be found on the Company’s website athttp://investors.csx.comunder the heading “Corporate“Environmental, Social and Governance.” As of the Record Date, the composition of the committees of the Board was as follows:

DirectorAuditCompensationExecutiveFinanceGovernancePublic Affairs
Donna M. Alvarado
John B. Breaux

Pamela L. Carter

Steven T. Halverson
E. Hunter Harrison

Paul C. Hilal
Edward J. Kelly, III
John D. McPhersonJames M. Foote
David M. MoffettSteven T. Halverson

David M. Ratcliffe(1)Paul C. Hilal
John D. McPherson
Dennis H. ReilleyDavid M. Moffett

Linda H. Riefler
Suzanne M. Vautrinot
Donald J. Shepard(1)
J. Steven Whisler
John J. Zillmer


(1)Chair

Messrs. Ratcliffe and Shepard are not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting.

Member

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Table of Contents

ITEM 1: Election of Directors   |   Board Leadership and Committee Structure

Executive Committee
0 Meetings in 2016:20190
Committee Members:John B. Breaux
Pamela L. Carter
Paul C. Hilal
Edward J. Kelly, III
David M. Moffett
Dennis H. Reilley
John J. Zillmer
Committee Chair:E. Hunter Harrison
Independent Members:6

The Executive Committee meets for the purpose of acting on behalf of the full Board between regularly scheduled meetings of the Board when time is of the essence. The Executive Committee has and may exercise all the authority of the Board, except as may be prohibited by Section 13.1-689 of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, as it may from time to time be amended. Pursuant to the Executive Committee charter, a notice of a meeting of the Executive Committee is required to be provided to all Board members. The Executive Committee has eightsix members, consisting of the CEO, Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman and the chairs of each of the fivefour other standing committees. Messrs. Harrison,

Committee Members

James M. Foote
(Chair)

Pamela L. Carter
Steven T. Halverson
Paul C. Hilal Reilley and
David M. Moffett
John J. Zillmer joined the Executive Committee in March 2017.

Independent Members


Audit Committee
9 Meetings in 2016:20198
Committee Members:Donna M. Alvarado
Steven T. Halverson
Dennis H. Reilley
Linda H. Riefler
Donald J. Shepard
J. Steven Whisler
Committee Chair:David M. Moffett
Independent Members:     7

The primary functions of the Audit Committee include oversight of: (i) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements and accounting methodology; (ii) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (iii) the Independent Auditors’Registered Public Accounting Firm’s qualifications and independence; (iv) the Company’s risk management processes; (v) the performance of the Independent Auditors;Registered Public Accounting Firm; and (vi) the Company’s internal audit function.

The Audit Committee recommends the appointment of the Independent AuditorsRegistered Public Accounting Firm and the Board approves the selection. This appointment is then submitted to shareholders for ratification. The Audit Committee also approves compensation of the Company’s Independent Auditors,Registered Public Accounting Firm, reviews the scope and methodology of the Independent Auditors’Registered Public Accounting Firm’s proposed audits, reviews the Company’s financial statements and monitors the Company’s internal control over financial reporting by, among other things, discussing certain aspects thereof with the Independent AuditorsRegistered Public Accounting Firm and management. The Audit Committee is responsible for the approval of all services performed by the Independent Auditors.Registered Public Accounting Firm. Finally, the Committee maintains procedures for the receipt and treatment of complaints regarding the Company’s accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters. As part of its risk management responsibilities, the Committee oversees cybersecurity risks.

The Audit Committee has sevenfive members, each of whom the Board, upon recommendation of the Governance Committee, has determined to be independent pursuant to the independence standards promulgated by NasdaqNASDAQ and the SEC. Mr. ReilleySecurities and Ms. Riefler joined the Audit Committee in March 2017; Mr. Shepard is not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting.Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

The Board has determined that all members of the Audit Committee are financially literate and Messrs. Moffett Shepard and Whisler are audit committee financial experts, as that term is defined by SEC rules and regulations. Please refer to the Report of the Audit Committee below for additional information.

Committee Members

David M. Moffett
(Chair)

Donna M. Alvarado
Steven T. Halverson
Suzanne M. Vautrinot
J. Steven Whisler

Independent Members


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Table of Contents

ITEM 1: Election of Directors   |   Board Leadership and Committee Structure

Compensation and Talent Management Committee
6 Meetings in 2016:20196
Committee Members:Donna M. Alvarado
Steven T. Halverson
Paul C. Hilal
Edward J. Kelly, III
Linda H. Riefler
Donald J. Shepard
Committee Chair:John J. Zillmer
Independent Members:6

The primary functions of the Compensation and Talent Management Committee are to: (i) establish the Company’s philosophy with respect to executive compensation and benefits; (ii) review the Company’s compensation practices and policies, benefit plans and perquisites applicable to all employees and executives to ensure consistency with the Company’s compensation philosophy; (iii) assure thatmonitor the Company’s benefit plans, practices, programs and policies maintained for employees and directors complyfor compliance with all applicable laws; (iv) in consultation with the Board, review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to compensation and benefits for the CEO, and evaluate the CEO’s performance in light of those goals and objectives, and as directed by the Board, set the level of compensation of the CEO based on such evaluation; (v) review and recommend approval of management compensation and Company compensation plans, including benefits for key employees as determined by the Committee from time to time; (vi) establish performance objectives for certain executives, and certify the attainment of those objectives in connection with the payment of performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 162(m)”); and (vii)(vi) review the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) section of this Proxy Statement and, as appropriate, recommend to the Board for approval the inclusion of the CD&A section in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Proxy Statement.

In addition, the Compensation and Talent Management Committee is responsible for the oversight of human capital management including review of the Company’s leadership development, performance management and talent acquisition programs. In addition the Committee monitorshas oversight responsibilities with respect to the administration of certain executiveCompany’s plans and management compensationprocesses for promoting diversity, inclusion and benefit programs.pay equity.

The Compensation and Talent Management Committee may, under its charter, delegate all or a portion of its duties and responsibilities to a subcommittee thereof as appropriate and consistent with applicable regulations, laws and exchange listing standards. The Compensation and Talent Management Committee has sevenalso retained the services of an independent compensation consultant to advise on executive compensation matters. The role of the compensation consultant in determining or recommending the amount or form of executive compensation is described in the CD&A section of this Proxy Statement.

The Compensation and Talent Management Committee has five members sixeach of whom are:qualifies as: (i) “outside directors” within the meaning of regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 162(m); (ii)a “non-employee directors”director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of Securities and Exchange Act of 1934; and (iii)(ii) independent pursuant to the independence standards promulgated by Nasdaq. Mr. Hilal is notNASDAQ; and (iii) an independent director due to his relationship with Mr. Harrison. As permitted by Nasdaq (under Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5605), Mr. Hilal has been appointed to the Compensation Committee, to serve for no longer than two years, in limited and exceptional circumstances due to Mr. Hilal’s qualifications, including his experience in the railroad industry and analyzing company performance, and his long-standing relationship with Mr. Harrison. As a result of these qualifications, the Board has determined Mr. Hilal’s appointment to the Compensation Committee is in the best interest of CSX and its shareholders. Furthermore, Mr. Hilal will recuse himself from any compensation decisions related to Mr. Harrison. Messrs. Hilal and Zillmer and Ms. Riefler joined the Compensation Committee in March 2017; Mr. Shepard is not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting.

No member“outside director” under Section 162(m) of the Compensation Code.

Committee was an officer or employee of CSX during 2016. No member of the Compensation Committee is a former officer of CSX. During 2016, none of our executive officers served as a member of a board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one of more executive officers who serve on our Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee.Members

Steven T. Halverson
(Chair)

Donna M. Alvarado
John D. McPherson
Linda H. Riefler
John J. Zillmer

Independent Members




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Finance Committee
3 Meetings in 2016:20195
Committee Members:Paul C. Hilal
John D. McPherson
David M. Moffett
David M. Ratcliffe
Dennis H. Reilley
J. Steven Whisler
Committee Chair:Pamela L. Carter
Independent Members:6

The Finance Committee provides general oversight and review of financial matters affecting the Company, including the monitoring of corporate debt, cash flow and the assets and liabilities maintained by the Company and its affiliates in conjunction with employee benefit plans, including monitoring the funding and investment policies and performances of the assets. In addition, the Committee reviews and recommends policies and practices related to dividends and share repurchasesrepurchase programs. Messrs.

Committee Members

Pamela L. Carter
(Chair)

Paul C. Hilal and Reilley joined the Finance Committee in March 2017; Mr. Ratcliffe is not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting.
David M. Moffett
J. Steven Whisler

Independent Members


20       CSX Corporation 2020 Proxy Statement


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ITEM 1: Election of Directors   |   Annual Evaluation of Board Performance

Governance Committee
6 Meetings in 2016:20195
Committee Members:John B. Breaux
Pamela L. Carter
Paul C. Hilal
Edward J. Kelly, III
John J. Zillmer
Committee Chair:Dennis H. Reilley
Independent Members:5

The Governance Committee of the Board identifies individuals qualified to become Board members and recommends candidates for election to the Board. In identifying and recommending director nominees, the Governance Committee uses criteria established by the Board with respect to qualifications for nominations to the Board and for continued membership on the Board. Additionally, the Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding director independence. In considering potential director candidates, the Committee considers whether the individual has demonstrated leadership ability, integrity, values and judgment. The Governance Committee seeks to maintain a Board with a broad diversity of experience in business matters and the ability to assess and evaluate the role and policies of the Company in the face of changing economic conditions, regulatory environment and customer expectations.

The Governance Committee generally identifies nominees for directors through its director succession planning process. The Committee will also consider persons recommended by shareholders of the Company in selecting director nominees. Potential nominees suggested by shareholders will be evaluated by the Committee on the same basis as individuals identified directly by the Committee or from other sources. For more information on the director nominees, see Item 1: Election of Directors.

The Governance Committee has five members each of whom the Board has determined to be independent under the applicable NASDAQ rules.

The Committee develops, recommends and monitors corporate governance principles and conducts regular evaluations of director performance and of the effectiveness of the Board as a working group. In addition, the Committee reviews and recommends changes to the Board regarding committee structure and director compensation.

Five of the six members of the Governance Committee are independent directors pursuant to the independence standards promulgated by Nasdaq. Mr. Hilal is not an independent director due to his relationship with Mr. Harrison. As permitted by Nasdaq (under Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5605), Mr. Hilal has been appointed to the Governance Committee, to serve for no longer than two years, in limited and exceptional circumstances due to Mr. Hilal’s qualifications, including his experience in the railroad industry and analyzing company performance, and his long-standing relationship with Mr. Harrison. As a result of these qualifications, the Board has determined Mr. Hilal’s appointment to the Governance Committee is in the best interest of CSX and its shareholders. Messrs. Hilal, Reilley and Zillmer joined the Governance Committee in March 2017.




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Public Affairs Committee
Meetings in 2016:5

Committee Members:Members

Donna M. Alvarado

John J. Zillmer
(Chair)

Pamela L. Carter
John D. McPherson

David M. Ratcliffe

Linda H. Riefler
John J. Zillmer
Committee Chair:John B. Breaux

Suzanne M. Vautrinot

Independent Members:Members

6

The Public Affairs Committee reviews significant legal, legislative and regulatory initiatives and rulemaking by federal, state, local and foreign government authorities, as well as other public issues of significance that affect the Company and its shareholders. The Committee also reviews key issues, assumptions, risks and opportunities that relate to the development and implementation of the Company’s operations and safety initiatives. Additionally, the Committee provides oversight of the Company’s compliance with legal requirements and internal policies relating to equal employment, diversity in the workplace, employee safety and environmental protection. Ms. Riefler and Messrs. Zillmer and Harrison joined the Public Affairs Committee in March 2017; Mr. Ratcliffe is not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting.


Meetings of the Board and Executive Sessions

Annual Evaluation of Board Performance

The Board believes annual performance reviews are essential for ensuring overall effectiveness, including fulfilment of its oversight responsibilities, strategic planning and communications. For 2019, the Board evaluation process was initiated through detailed questionnaires. Individual director performance was then discussed with committee chairs or the Chairman of the Board, as appropriate. Summaries of the committee-specific feedback was provided to the relevant committee chairs, which were then reviewed with the Chairman of the Board. The Governance Committee reviewed the evaluations and recommendations. Each standing committee also conducted an evaluation of its own performance.

Meetings of the Board and Executive Sessions

During 2016,2019, there were eightsix meetings of the Board. Each of the directors then serving attended at least 85%75% of the meetings of the Board and the committees on which he or she served. The non-managementnon-employee directors met alone in executive session at each regular Board meeting. These executive sessions were chaired by the Presiding Director.Chairman of the Board. In accordance with the CSX Corporate Governance Guidelines, the independent directors (when different than non-management directors) meet in executive session at least once a year. While the Company does not have a formal policy regarding director attendance at annual shareholder meetings, the Company strongly encourages directors to attend absent an emergency. All but one of the incumbent directors then in office attended the 20162019 Annual Meeting.

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ITEM 1: Election of Directors   |   Director Compensation

Director Compensation

The Board periodically but at least once every three years, reviews and sets the compensation for non-managementthe non-employee directors based on the recommendation of the Governance Committee. Director compensation includes both cash and stock-based components. In recommending the amount and form of director compensation, the Committee considers, among other factors, peer benchmarking data and the level of compensation necessary to attract and retain qualified, independent directors.

For 2016, the Board approved an annual retainerElements of $90,000, which was payable inDirector Compensation

The following charts show director cash unless the director chose to receive his or her fee in the form of CSX common stock. The Board also approved: (i) an additional $30,000 retainerand equity compensation for the Presiding Director, (ii) an additional $10,000 for the chair of each Board committee other than the Audit and Compensation Committees; (iii) an additional $20,000 for the Chair of the Audit Committee; (iv) an additional $5,000 for each member of the Audit Committee; and (v) an additional $15,000 for the Chair of the Compensation Committee. At the February 2016 Board meeting, each non-employee director also received an annual grant of common stock in the amount of $150,000 with the number of shares based on the average closing price of CSX stock in the months of November 2015, December 2015 and January 2016.fiscal year 2019.

Annual RetainerCashEquity(1)
Base Retainer     $112,500      $162,500
(1)Annual grant of CSX common stock in the amount of $162,500 with the number of shares based on the average closing price of CSX common stock in the months of November 2018, December 2018 and January 2019.


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Incremental Amount Above Annual Retainer
Chairman of the Board$250,000
Audit Committee Chair$25,000
Audit Committee Member$5,000
Compensation Committee Chair$20,000
Finance Committee Chair$10,000
Governance Committee Chair$15,000

Each non-employee director was eligible to defer all or a portion of his or her director’s fees in 2016,2019, including cash and stock compensation, under the CSX Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Directors’ Plan”). Cash deferrals are credited to an unfunded account and invested in various investment choices or deferred as shares of CSX common stock. The investment choices parallel the investment options offered to employees under CSX’s 401(k) plan. Stock deferrals are automatically held as outstanding shares in a rabbi trust, with dividends credited in the form of shares.

Non-employee directors also are eligible to receive other compensation and benefits as discussed below. The CEO does not receive compensation for his services as a director.

2016 Directors’ Compensation Table

The following table summarizes the compensation of each of the non-employee directors in 2016.

NameFees Earned or
Paid in Cash
(1)
Stock Awards(2)Option Awards(3)Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
Change in
Pension Value and
Nonqualified Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
All Other
Compensation(4)
Total(5)
Donna M. Alvarado$95,000$140,412$1,321$236,733
John B. Breaux$100,000$140,412$18,821$259,233
Pamela L. Carter$90,000$140,412$26,321$256,733
Steven T. Halverson$110,000$140,412$51,321$301,733
Edward J. Kelly, III$130,000$140,412$51,321$321,733
John D. McPherson$90,000$140,412$41,321$271,733
David M. Moffett$95,000$140,412$51,321$286,733
Timothy T. O’Toole(6)$90,000$140,412$6,321$236,733
David M. Ratcliffe(6)$100,000$140,412$51,321$291,733
Donald J. Shepard(6)$110,000$140,412$51,321$301,733
J. Steven Whisler$95,000$140,412$21,321$256,733

(1)Fees Earned or Paid in Cash – Includes a cash retainer of $90,000 and any Committee Chair, Audit Committee or Presiding Director fees earned in 2016. Messrs. Breaux, McPherson, O’Toole, Ratcliffe and Shepard elected to defer 100% of their cash retainers and fees in the form of stock into the Directors’ Plan. Ms. Alvarado elected to defer 100% of her cash retainer and fees as cash into the Directors’ Plan.
(2)Stock Awards – Amounts disclosed in this column are based on the February 10, 2016 grant date fair value of the annual stock grant to directors calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 (“Topic 718”). The number of shares granted is based on an award value of $150,000 divided by the average closing price of CSX stock in the months of November 2015, December 2015 and January 2016. All such stock awards to directors vested immediately upon grant.
(3)Option Awards – As of December 30, 2016, there were no stock options outstanding for directors.
(4)All Other Compensation – Includes excess liability insurance and Company matches under the Directors’ Matching Gift Program. The only perquisites to exceed $10,000 for any director were Company matches under the Directors’ Matching Gift Program, which included matches in the following amounts: $50,000 for each of Messrs. Halverson, Kelly, Moffett, Ratcliffe and Shepard, $40,000 for Mr. McPherson, $25,000 for Ms. Carter, $20,000 for Mr. Whisler, $17,500 for Senator Breaux and $5,000 for Mr. O’Toole.
(5)Total – The differences in the amounts in this column are largely attributable to fees for committee Chairs, for service on the Audit Committee or as then-Presiding Director and the Company match on charitable contributions under the Directors’ Matching Gift Program.
(6)Mr. O’Toole resigned from the Board on March 6, 2017. Messrs. Ratcliffe and Shepard are not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting.


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Charitable Gift Plan

Directors elected before 2004 are eligible to participate in the CSX Directors’ Charitable Gift Plan (the “Charitable Plan”). Under the Charitable Plan, if a director serves for five consecutive years, CSX will make contributions totaling $1 million on his or her behalf to charitable institutions designated by the director. Contributions to designated charities are made in installments, with $100,000 payable upon the director’s retirement and the balance payable in installments of $100,000 per year, starting at the time of the director’s death. In 2016, only four directors were eligible to participate in the Charitable Plan.

Matching Gift Program and Other Benefits

Non-management directors may participate in the CSX Directors’ Matching Gift Program, which is considered an important part of CSX’s philanthropy and community involvement. CSX will match director contributions to organizations that qualify for support under Company guidelines, up to a maximum annual CSX contribution of $50,000 per non-employee director per year. During 2016, 172019, nine philanthropic organizations in areas served by the Company collectively received $357,500$225,000 under the Directors’ Matching Gift Program. Non-employee directors also are eligible to receive other compensation and benefits as discussed below. The CEO does not receive compensation for his services as a director.

In addition, 22       CSX makes available toCorporation 2020 Proxy Statement


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ITEM 1: Election of Directors   |   2019 Directors’ Compensation Table

2019 Directors’ Compensation Table

The following table summarizes the compensation of each of the non-employee directors personal excess liability insurance at no expense to the directors. During 2016, the excess liability insurance premium, which is reflected in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Directors’ Compensation Table, was approximately $1,300 for each participating non-employee director.2019.

NameFees Earned or
Paid in Cash(2)
($)
Stock
Awards(3)(4)
($)
All Other
Compensation(5)
($)
Total
($)
Donna M. Alvarado               $117,500         $165,186                 $1,685     $284,371
John B. Breaux(1)$51,042$68,828$27,241$147,110
Pamela L. Carter$122,500$165,186$31,685$319,371
Steven T. Halverson$137,500$165,186$54,185$356,871
Paul C. Hilal$112,500$165,186$1,685$279,371
Edward J. Kelly, III(1)$12,545$101,685$114,230
John D. McPherson$112,500$165,186$1,685$279,371
David M. Moffett$137,500$165,186$51,685$354,371
Linda H. Riefler$113,750$165,186$1,685$280,621
J. Steven Whisler$117,500$165,186$51,685$334,371
John J. Zillmer$127,500$419,230$1,685$548,415
(1)Messrs. Breaux and Kelly retired from the CSX Board of Directors on May 3, 2019 and January 16, 2019, respectively.
(2)Fees Earned or Paid in Cash – Includes a cash retainer of $112,500 and any Committee Chair or Audit Committee fees earned in 2019. Mr. Moffett elected to defer 100% of his cash retainer and fees in the form of cash into the Directors’ Plan. Messrs. Breaux and Whisler elected to defer 100% of their cash retainers and fees in the form of CSX stock into the Directors’ Plan.
(3)Stock Awards – Amounts disclosed in this column are based on the February 6, 2019 grant date fair value of the annual stock grant to directors calculated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (“FASB ASC Topic 718”). The number of shares granted was based on an award of $162,500 divided by the average closing price of CSX common stock in the months of November 2018, December 2018 and January 2019, which was $67.01. All such stock awards to directors vested immediately upon grant. Mr. Zilmer’s amount also includes a Non-Executive Chairman stock grant based on the February 6, 2019 grant date fair value calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The number of shares is based on an award of $250,000 divided by the average closing price of CSX common stock in the months of November 2018, December 2018 and January 2019. This stock award vested immediately upon grant.
(4)Option Awards – There were no stock options granted to non-employee directors in 2019.
(5)

All Other Compensation – Includes excess liability insurance, Company match under the Directors’ Matching Gift Program and a Company contribution under the Directors’ Charitable Gift Plan. The only perquisites to exceed $10,000 for any director were (i) the Company match under the Directors’ Matching Gift Program, which includes matches in the following amounts: $52,500 for Mr. Halverson, $50,000 for each of Messrs. Moffett and Whisler, $30,000 for Ms. Carter and $17,500 for Mr. Breaux; and (ii) a charitable contribution of $100,000 on behalf of Mr. Kelly under the CSX Directors Charitable Gift Plan (the “Charitable Plan). For Mr. Halverson, his 2019 match included $2,500 pulled forward form his available matching contributions for 2020.

Mr. Kelly was eligible to participate in the CSX Directors’ Charitable Gift Plan (the “Charitable Plan”), which was only available for directors elected prior to 2004. No current directors are eligible to participate in this plan. Under the Charitable Plan, if a director served for five consecutive years, CSX committed to make contributions totaling $1 million on his or her behalf to charitable institutions designated by the director. Contributions to designated charities are made in installments, with $100,000 payable upon the director’s retirement and the balance payable in installments of $100,000 per year, starting at the time of the director’s death. The Company contributed $100,000 on Mr. Kelly’s behalf following his retirement in January 2019.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

The Board has adopted Stock Ownership Guidelines to better align the interests of non-employee directors with the interests of shareholders. These guidelines require that all non-employee directors own shares of CSX common stock. Within five years of election to the Board, a non-employee director is expected to acquire and hold an amount of CSX common stock equal in value to five times the amount of such non-employee director’s annual cash retainer. If the annual cash retainer increases, the non-employee directors will have five years from the time of the increase to acquire any additional shares needed to satisfy the guidelines. All non-employee directors who have served on the Board for five or more years since their election held a sufficient number of shares to satisfy these guidelines. Further information on the Stock Ownership Guidelines is available on CSX’s website athttp://investors.csx.comunder the heading “Corporate“Environmental, Social and Governance.”

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Item 2: Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


 


Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board unanimously recommends that the shareholders voteFOR this proposal.


The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, retention, compensation and oversight of the Independent AuditorsRegistered Public Accounting Firm retained to audit the Company’s financial statements. Pursuant to this responsibility, the Audit Committee engages in a comprehensive annual evaluation of the Independent Auditors’Registered Public Accounting Firm’s qualifications, performance and independence. When considering the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s independence, the Audit Committee specifically considers non-audit fees and services. Additionally, the Audit Committee periodically considers whether there should be a rotation of the Independent Auditors.Registered Public Accounting Firm. Furthermore, in conjunction with the mandated rotation of the Independent Auditors’Registered Public Accounting Firm’s lead engagement partner, the Audit Committee and its chair were directly involved in the selection of the Independent Auditors’Registered Public Accounting Firm’s lead engagement partner.

The Board unanimously recommends that the shareholders voteFORthis proposal.

The Audit Committee has selected and appointed Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) as the Company’s Independent AuditorsRegistered Public Accounting Firm to audit and report on CSX’s financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 29, 2017.31, 2020. EY or its predecessors have continuously served as the Company’s Independent AuditorsRegistered Public Accounting Firm since 1981. The Audit Committee and the Board believe that the continued retention of EY as the Company’s Independent AuditorsRegistered Public Accounting Firm is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

Action by shareholders is not required by law in the appointment of independent accountants.the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. If shareholders do not ratify this appointment, however, the appointment will be reconsidered by the Audit Committee and the Board.

EY has no direct or indirect financial interest in CSX or in any of its subsidiaries, nor has it had any connection with CSX or any of its subsidiaries in the capacity of promoter, underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer or employee. Representatives of EY will be present atparticipate in the Company’ Annual Meeting and will be afforded an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so. It also is expected they will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

24       CSX Corporation 2020 Proxy Statement




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ITEM 2: Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   |   Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

EY served as the Independent AuditorsRegistered Public Accounting Firm for the Company in 2016.2019. The Audit Committee was responsible for the audit fee negotiations associated with the retention of EY. Fees paid to EY were as follows:

20162015
Audit Fees:
Includes fees associated with the integrated audit, testing internal controls over financial reporting (SOX 404), the reviews of the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, statutory audits and other attestation services related to regulatory filings.$2,740,000$2,808,000
Audit Related Fees:
Includes audits of employee benefit plans and subsidiary audits.$277,000$336,000
Tax Fees:
Includes fees for tax compliance and tax advice and planning.
All Other Fees:
Includes fees for advisory services for non-audit projects. The Audit Committee has concluded that the services covered under the caption “All Other Fees” are compatible with maintaining EY’s independent status.$77,000$34,000

       2018       2019
Audit Fees:
Includes fees associated with the integrated audit, testing internal controls over financial reporting (SOX
404), the reviews of the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, statutory audits and other attestation
services related to regulatory filings.$2,893,000$2,816,000
Audit Related Fees:
Includes audits of employee benefit plans and subsidiary audits.$162,000$221,000
Tax Fees:
Includes fees for tax compliance and tax advice and planning.$$
All Other Fees:
Includes fees for advisory services for non-audit projects. The Audit Committee has concluded
that the services covered under the caption “All Other Fees” are compatible with maintaining EY’s
independent status.$2,000$1,000

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee is responsible for the approval of all services performed by EY. The Chairman of the Audit Committee has the authority to approve all engagements that will cost less than $250,000 and, in such cases, will report any pre-approvals to the full Audit Committee for ratification at its next scheduled meeting.

All engagements expected to cost $250,000 or more require pre-approval of the full Audit Committee. In addition, it is Company policy that tax and other non-audit services should not equal or exceed base audit fees plus fees for audit-related services. In 20152018 and 2016,2019, all services performed by EY were pre-approved.

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Report of the Audit Committee


The Audit Committee oversees the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements, for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for assessing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management the audited financial statements, including a discussion of the quality of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements.

During 2016,2019, the Audit Committee was comprised solely of independent directors as defined by NasdaqNASDAQ listing standards and Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The members of the Audit Committee in 2016,2019, together with appointment dates and meeting attendance, is set forth below:

MembersCommittee
member sinceMember Since
Attendance at fullFull
meetings during 2016Committee Meetings
During 2019
Donald J. Shepard, ChairmanDavid M. Moffett, ChairDecember 2007May 20158/89
Donna M. AlvaradoAugust 20068/89/9
Steven T. HalversonAugust 20068/89
DavidSuzanne M. MoffettVautrinotMay 20157/8December 2019
J. Steven WhislerMay 20118/89/9

The meetings of the Audit Committee are designed to facilitate and encourage communication among the Audit Committee, the Company, the Company’s internal audit function and the Company’s independent auditor.registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee discussed with the Company’s internal auditors and independent auditorregistered public accounting firm the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Audit Committee meets with the internal auditors and the independent auditor,registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting.

Each year, the Audit Committee evaluates the qualifications, performance and independence of the Company’s independent auditor,registered public accounting firm, and determines whether to re-engage the current independent auditor.registered public accounting firm. In doing so, the Audit Committee considers the quality and efficiency of the services provided by the auditors,independent registered public accounting firm, the auditor’s capabilities of the independent registered public accounting firm, technical expertise and knowledge of the Company’s operations and industry. Based on this evaluation, the Audit Committee has retained EY as the Company’s independent auditorregistered public accounting firm for 2017.2020. Although the Audit Committee has the sole authority to appoint the independent auditors,registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee willintends to continue to recommend that the Board ask shareholders to ratify the appointment of the independent auditorsregistered public accounting firm at the Annual Meeting.

EY, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2016,2019, is responsible for expressing an opinion that: (i) the Company’s consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States; and (ii) the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2016.31, 2019.

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Report of the Audit Committee

In this context, the Audit Committee has:

(i)reviewed and discussed with management, the audited financial statements for the year ended December 30, 2016;
31, 2019;
(ii)discussed with EY, the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301, “Communications with Audit Committee,Committees,” as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”);
(iii)received from EY, the written disclosures and the letter from EY asregarding auditors’ independence required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding communications aboutEthics and Independence Rule 3526, “Communication with Audit Committee independenceCommittees Concerning Independence” and discussed EY’s independence with them; and
(iv)reviewed and discussed with management and EY, the results of management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and EY’s audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Based on its review and on the discussions described above, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board, and the Board has approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Company���s2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K for filing with the fiscal year ended December 30, 2016.SEC.

Members of the Audit Committee

Donald J. Shepard, ChairmanDavid M. Moffett, Chair
Donna M. Alvarado
Steven T. Halverson
DavidSuzanne M. MoffettVautrinot
J. Steven Whisler

Jacksonville, Florida

February 7, 201711, 2020

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CSX has set a goal of being the best-run railroad North America, which begins with being an efficient, safe, reliable and sustainable railroad. CSX continues to set company and industry records in each of these areas. The Company was recently named as the only U.S. Class I railroad on the Dow Jones North American Sustainability Index for the ninth consecutive year. In addition, CSX lead the industry with the lowest operating ratio and best prersonal injury safety results for 2019. Environmental, Social and Governance are the three categories that form the framework for assessing the impact of sustainability and ethical practices of a company on its financial performance and operations.

Compensation DiscussionEnvironmentalSocialGovernance

Environmental Stewardship

Communities & Giving

Diversity & Inclusion

Ethics & Governance

Achieve greenhouse gas emissions intensity goal through record fuel efficiency
Engage with stakeholders to identify additional areas of focus
Establish goals with key performance indicators
Establish partnerships with local officials to promote public safety
Work closely with local, state, and Analysisfederal agencies to protect communities
Have an economic impact by giving back to the community
A diverse and talented workforce contributes to organizational success
Maintain policies that promote inclusion
Establish strong Board and Management structure
Establish robust policies for disclosure of information, auditing and compliance
Ensure ethical behavior through required ethics & compliance training

Environmental

At CSX, employees are encouraged to take sustainable actions in their everyday jobs, such as conserving energy, reducing waste and identifying inefficiencies. For seven consecutive years, CSX has achieved “Leadership” status by CDP, an independent, global, non-governmental organization that scores 8,400 companies on their efforts to address environmental issues. CSX is the only Class I railroad in the U.S. to consistently receive this highest CDP ranking.

As demand increases, the need for freight rail as a safe, reliable and sustainable transportation solution is ever more pressing. Moving freight by rail instead of truck lowers greenhouse gas emissions by 75%. As the most fuel-efficient mode of freight transportation on land, rail will continue to enable significant emission reductions and help drive economic prosperity. CSX invests in its infrastructure and facilities to improve energy efficiency and reduce local greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions. In 2011, the Company set out to reduce GHG intensity by 6 – 8% by 2020. By the end of 2018, GHG intensity was reduced 8.1% from the 2011 baseline, a full two years early. CSX will continue to invest in new technologies and expects to continue to see improvements in emissions.

Since the implementation of the scheduled railroading model in 2017, the Company has reduced its locomotive fleet by over 30%, improved trip optimization technology, and increased the use of distributed power—which have helped CSX reach record fuel efficiency.

METRIC TONS CO2PER MILLION
REVENUE TON MILES
GALLONS OF FUEL CONSUMED
(in millions)

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Corporate Social Responsibility at CSX

Social

At CSX, safety is always a top priority. The Company develops and maintains partnerships with organizations that reflect and amplify our focus on safety. One such partnership is Operation Lifesaver. This education and awareness organization is dedicated to ending collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and along railroad rights-of-way. Each year, Operation Lifesaver’s network of authorized volunteers conducts free programs on rail safety education to audiences such as schoolchildren and community organizations and provides specialized training for law enforcement officers and first responders to ensure their safety when responding to a rail incident.

Giving and volunteer programs expand the Company’s service culture deeper into the communities across its 23-state network. The Company supports communities through monetary and in-kind contributions to nonprofit organizations, and by working with select service partners to help us extend our impact. In 2019, CSX launched its “Pride in Service” program, which is committed to having a positive impact on the lives of more than 100,000 U.S. military service members, veterans, first responders and their families by the end of 2020. Over the last year, CSX partnered with the following organizations in 15 service events to achieve its Pride in Service goals.

CSX values the unique contribution that each person brings to the Company. More is accomplished when teams with diverse backgrounds and ideas work together in an environment where everyone can contribute and fully realize their talents. The Company has been recognized by many organizations for its diversity and inclusion, including being named a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” by Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities after receiving a 100% score on the disability equality index.

Governance

Good governance practices begin with strong leaders who understand the opportunities and challenges across the business and help make decisions that support the Company’s long-term growth and success. In consultation with its Board of Directors, CSX has developed policies designed to ensure proper disclosure of information, auditing and compliance. To ensure compliance with these policies, the Company conducts required online training to stress the importance of ethical behavior. In 2019, 100% of management employees completed the required ethics training.

2019 WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AT CSX



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The members of the Compensation and Talent Management Committee (the “Committee”) believe it is important to outline the responsibilities of the Committee and provide shareholders with an understanding of the Committee’s processes for executive compensation and talent management decisions. We hope this letter will provide insight into our discussions as we continuously strive to implement executive compensation and talent management programs that drive sustainable company performance and long-term shareholder value creation.

Human Capital Management

Each year, the Committee reviews its duties and responsibilities as outlined in its committee charter. In 2019, the Committee charter was updated to formalize responsibilities related to talent management. In addition to the Committee’s traditional responsibilities related to the development and approval of the Company’s executive compensation philosophy, strategy and design, the Committee is also charged with oversight of human capital management. These responsibilities include reviewing the Company’s leadership development, performance management and talent acquisition programs. As a foundation for these programs, we are committed to providing the support management needs to hire, develop and retain top talent and ensure alignment of our executive compensation program with the Company’s long-term strategy.

The Committee’s role has also expanded to include oversight of the Company’s plans and processes for promoting diversity, inclusion and pay equity. We recognize that people are the foundation of the Company’s success and are committed to developing a culture and environment that inspire employee engagement and excellence. We are proud of the strides the Company has made in building a world-class, diverse organization that is delivering transformational change in the rail industry and generating significant value for shareholders. That said, we remain focused on building an even more diverse, engaged and motivated workforce that will deliver sustainable returns for shareholders. Our approach to talent management is based on the principles outlined below.

THE CSX TALENT STRATEGY SUPPORTS ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGY

Diverse
Experiences
& Skills
+Motivated
to
Succeed
+Well
Compensated
+Right Role,
Right Number

Executive Compensation Decisions

In 2017, the Company implemented a new operating model that focuses on operating safely, optimizing asset utilization, controlling costs, improving customer service, and valuing and developing employees. While some questioned whether this operating model would work at a U.S. railroad, and particularly an eastern railroad, CSX led all U.S. class I railroads in operating performance, service performance and safety (lowest personal injury rate) at the end of 2019. During this period, the performance metrics for the short and long-term incentive plans have focused primarily on operating efficiencies and asset utilization.

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Letter from the Compensation and Talent Management Committee

In 2019, the Committee continued to emphasize operating performance in the Company’s short-term incentive plan while adding a safety measure to underscore the importance of employee and public safety. As a result of these measures and safety initiatives, we’re happy to report that, for 2019, the Company delivered an industry best 58.4% operating ratio, while also leading the industry in personal injury safety performance.

In developing performance targets for the short and long-term incentive plans that support the Company’s operating and strategic initiatives, the Committee reviews, among other factors, the Company’s annual and three-year business plans and global economic forecasts. The Committee’s ability to set appropriate and challenging performance goals is also impacted by other factors including, but not limited to, market and economic volatility, global trade dynamics, the geopolitical environment and overall visibility for short, medium and long-term forecasts. Each year, the Committee reviews short and long-term incentive plan design to ensure alignment with the Company’s business strategy, key financial objectives, shareholder interests and environmental stewardship. To further this alignment, the Committee strives to:

utilize performance measures that have a strong correlation to long-term shareholder value creation;
ensure that a majority of the CEO’s and other named executive officer’s total compensation is at risk (90% of CEO pay is at risk);
strike the right balance between short and long-term incentives with significant weighting toward the long-term awards; and
use multiple financial performance metrics in both short and long-term incentive plans.

While the Company’s performance has resulted in industry-leading shareholder returns over the last three years, the Committee is now focused on structuring compensation programs to drive the next stage of the Company’s strategic growth plan. As we look to the future, we believe that the Company is now poised to capitalize on its superior customer service product to deliver compelling value for new and existing customers. To drive this next phase of the Company’s continuing transformation, we are committed to implementing compensation programs that drive sustainable growth while maintaining a focus on operating efficiency and safety.

We look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead and are confident we have the leadership team, operational initiatives and strategic growth plan in place to lead the Company to new heights as it embarks upon the next phase of its transformation.

While we realize shareholders have the opportunity to express their opinions through our annual say-on-pay vote, we also encourage additional shareholder feedback on the Company’s executive compensation programs, as detailed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. You may provide feedback to the Committee by sending correspondence to CSX Corporation, Office of the Corporate Secretary, 500 Water Street, C160, Jacksonville, Florida 32202. We routinely consider such input as we refine our compensation philosophy and talent management processes.

Report of the Compensation and Talent Management Committee

The Compensation and Talent Management Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on its review of the disclosures, the Compensation Committee recommended to the full Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

Steven T. Halverson

Donna M. Alvarado

John D. McPherson

Linda H. Riefler

John J. Zillmer

March 25, 2020

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This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) describes and analyzes the principles of the Company’s executive compensation programs, how those principles are applied and how the Company’s compensation programs are designed to drive performance.executive performance and create sustainable long-term shareholder value. This CD&A focuses on the compensation of the Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”) as of December 30, 2016.

31, 2019, who are listed below.

NameTitle
Michael J. Ward(1)James M. FooteChairman of the BoardPresident and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”)
Clarence W. GoodenKevin S. Boone(1)President
Frank A. LonegroExecutive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”)
FredrikJamie J. EliassonBoychuk(1)Executive Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer– Operations, CSX Transportation, Inc. (“CSXT”)
Cynthia M. SanbornNathan D. GoldmanExecutive Vice President – Chief Legal Officer and Chief Operating OfficerCorporate Secretary (“COO”CLO”)

(1)On February 14, 2017, Mr. Gooden resigned asEdmond L. HarrisExecutive Vice President of the Company and assumed the title of Vice Chairman, and Mr. Eliasson was appointed President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of the Company, effective February 15, 2017. On March 6, 2017, (i) Mr. Ward resigned as Chairman and CEO, (ii) Mr. Gooden resigned as Vice Chairman and (iii) E. Hunter Harrison was appointed CEO, in each case, effective immediately. Mr. Ward and Mr. Gooden each assumed the title of consultant and will retire from the Company as of May 31, 2017. On April 19, 2017, Mr. Harrison assumed the role of President from Mr. Eliasson, who will continue to serve as– CSX
Frank A. Lonegro(1)Former Executive Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of the Company.CFO

Executive Overview(1)Mr. Lonegro separated from his position effective May 28, 2019. Messrs. Boone and Boychuk were promoted to their positions effective October 2, 2019.

2016 Business HighlightsExecutive Overview

In 2016, the Company experiencedCSX continued declinesits transformative journey in coal volumes driven primarily2019 by low natural gas prices with coal volumes declining 21% year-over-year. Additionally, freight volume declined overall as global economic markets responded to continued strength inachieving record operating performance while leading the U.S. dollar. Below are notable business highlightsrail industry in safety (lowest personal injury rate), service and efficiency. The Company has positioned itself for 2016.the next phase of its transformation: leveraging its improved service product to drive volume and revenue growth above industry levels and accelerate the conversion of freight volumes from highway to rail.

Key Business Highlights for 2019

OPERATING
INCOME

Operating income and operating ratio of $3.389 billion and 69.4%, respectivelyOPERATING
RATIO

FULLY-DILUTED
 EPS

TOTAL
SHAREHOLDER
RETURN

CAPITAL 
RETURNED TO 
SHAREHOLDERS

$4.97B

Earnings per share of $1.8158.4%

Achieved productivity of $427 million$4.17

Achieved one-year share price appreciation of 38.5%18.0%

Repurchased approximately 38 million shares of CSX common stock$4.1B

32       CSX remains committed to delivering value to shareholders through a balanced approach to deploying cash that includes investments in the business, dividend growth and share repurchases. In 2016, CSX returned approximately $1.75 billion to its shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases. In 2016, the Company also invested $2.7 billion to further enhance safety, service, capacity and flexibility of its transportation network.Corporation 2020 Proxy Statement




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AligningCompensation Discussion and Analysis   |   Executive Overview

Driven by a commitment to be the best-run railroad in North America, CSX finished 2019 with the lowest operating ratio and the most consistent service. The Company’s record low operating ratio in 2019 was a result of intense focus on the Company’s five guiding principles as highlighted below. Improved network planning and operational execution contributed to increased fuel efficiency, greater network fluidity and fewer crew starts. These efficiencies enabled the Company to increase its free cash flow to support dividend payments to shareholders, stock repurchases and investment in the CSX rail infrastructure. The Company’s capital expenditures of approximately $1.65 billion for the year demonstrated a commitment to maintaining a safe, world-class rail network that is positioned for growth. This investment in infrastructure along with increased operating efficiencies and improved asset utilization have provided the Company with a substantial capacity reserve to accommodate increased volumes as economic conditions improve and highway-to-rail conversions increase.

The Company’s commitment to being America’s safest railroad resulted in industry-leading safety performance in 2019, with the lowest personal injury rate of all U.S. Class I railroads. For the year, the Company improved its personal injury rate by 15%, and its train accident rate by 41%. These results were achieved by an intense focus on key operating principles, leadership and consistent communication. The Company expanded its number of front-line supervisors, and developed and delivered training to both Operations and non-Operations leaders to help them understand their role in driving and supporting a culture of safety while achieving business results. This specialized training program provided front-line leaders with the opportunity to advance their leadership while focusing on our guiding principles, cultivating decision-making, driving change and promoting teamwork while ensuring continuous focus on safety. Leaders at all levels emphasized the importance of strict adherence to critical rules that prevent life-changing injuries. In addition, new technologies, such as unmanned aerial vehicles for surveying Company assets and autonomous track-testing equipment, also supported safety improvement.

Gains in operating performance continued throughout the year as the Company achieved record results for velocity, which improved 14% for the year to 20.5 miles per hour, and terminal dwell (the average time that cars spend in yards), which improved 9% for the year to 8.6 hours. Increased train speeds and reduced dwell resulted in faster, more reliable service for customers. CSX measures service performance by its ability to deliver customer-destined railcars and containers to the hour of their designated trip plans. CSX trip plan performance for the fourth quarter 2019 was 83% for carload freight and 96% for intermodal, improved from 67% and 73% in the same period in the prior year, respectively.

To further improve customer service, the Company realigned its Sales and Marketing organization in 2019 to better utilize resources, serve the supply chain needs of customers and provide greater transparency into CSX network performance. The Company also rolled-out new technology tools for customers, including a trip plan performance tool for both carload and intermodal customers that provides them with insight into the Company’s service across individual service lanes. In addition, the Company substantially completed a rationalization of its intermodal network, which resulted in discontinued service on short-haul regional routes while focusing on growth opportunities in longer-haul lanes. This activity impacted intermodal revenue in the short-term but created capacity that will support long-term growth.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis   |   Executive Compensation Practices

Executive Compensation Practices

Objectives of CSX’s Executive Compensation Program

The primary objectives of the Company’s executive compensation programs are to:

Engage and reward executives for extraordinary results that will maximize shareholder value;
Reinforce a pay-for-performance culture with a significant portion of the NEO’s total compensation at risk; and
Implement short and long-term incentive compensation programs that have stretch targets that drive operational performance and financial results.

Alignment with Leading Governance Practices

The Compensation Committee of the Board (for purposes of the CD&A, the “Committee”) establisheshas established executive compensation programs that incorporate leading governance principles. Highlighted below are certain executive compensation practices designed tothat drive performance and fostersupport strong corporate governance.

CSX Executive Compensation Practices Include:   CSX Executive Compensation Practices Do NOT Include / Allow:
High
Significant percentage of executive compensation that is performance-based
Dividends or dividend equivalents on unvested performance units
Performance measures that are highly correlated to shareholder value creation
Excise tax gross ups
Engagement of an independent compensation consultant to review compensation programs and provide an annual risk assessment
Significant share ownership requirements for Vice President-level executives and above and non-employee directors
Change of control agreements require a double-trigger (i.e., change of control plus termination) for severance purposes
Clawback policy applicable to all incentive compensation plans
Inclusion of multiple financial measures in short and long-term incentive compensation plans
Use of payout caps on short and long-term incentives
Re-pricing of underwater options without shareholder approval
Significant share ownership requirements for officers and directors
Excise tax gross ups
Recycling of shares withheld for taxes
ChangeHedging or pledging of control agreements requiring a double-trigger (CSX common stocki.e., change of control plus termination) for severance
Clawbacks in short- and long-term incentive plans
Inclusion of multiple financial measures in long-term incentive program

AligningFactors Considered in Determining Executive Compensation with Company Performance

The Committee’s performance-based compensation philosophy is designed to attract, retain and motivate executives to deliver superior performance. The Committee structures the Company’s executive compensation program to reward short- and long-term performance that creates value for shareholders. The compensation program is designed to provide an appropriate allocation between fixed and variable compensation while mitigating unnecessary or inappropriate risk. Each NEO’s total compensation is heavily weighted towards performance-based awards with long-term incentive compensation comprising the majority of the target compensation.

Long-Term Incentive Compensation.A significant portion of our senior management’s compensation is provided under performance-based long-term incentives (“LTI”). The 2014-2016, 2015-2017 and 2016-2018 long-term incentive plan (“LTIP”) cycles use Operating Ratio and Return on Assets (“ROA”) on an equally weighted basis to measure the Company’s performance. Operating Ratio and ROA have demonstrated a high correlation to shareholder value over time. For the 2014-2016 cycle, CSX achieved a cumulative Operating Ratio of 69.7% and average ROA of 7.56%, which resulted in a payout of 34% of target. Additionally, since 2009, a portion of the LTI has been provided in the form of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and, in 2016, CSX added non-qualified stock options to its long-term incentive portfolio to align with the incentive compensation practices of our peers as well as further support alignment with shareholders.

Short-Term Incentive Compensation.The Company utilizes Operating Income as the financial performance measure to determine annual incentive compensation. The annual incentive compensation program also incorporates various strategic measures. Based on 2016 Operating Income of $3.389 billion and the Company’s performance against strategic goals, the short-term incentive payout for 2016 was 143% of target.

CEO’s Total Compensation in 2016.The Summary Compensation Tablecontains elements of compensation that were earnedannually evaluates competitive market data for the year, such asNEOs, including base salary and annual incentiveshort and long-term incentives with that of similar positions at peer railroads and general industry companies that are part of the comparator group. For purposes of evaluating targeted compensation as well as target long-term incentive compensation granted in 2016. It does not reflect the CEO’s total actual or “realized” pay (“Realized Pay”)amounts for the most recently completed fiscal year. The CEO’s Realized Pay could be worth more or less than what is shown inNEOs, theSummary Compensation Tabledepending on Committee reviews market data at the Company’s overall financial performance, the CEO's individual performance25th, 50th and share price.



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For 2015 and 2016, the primary difference between the CEO's Realized Pay and compensation as reflected in theSummary Compensation Tablefor each year is the amount75th percentiles of the long-term incentive compensation. In 2015,comparator group. The Committee considers the CEO earned a payout of 64% for the performance units portion of his LTI, and for 2016, the payout was 34% of target. In addition, an RSU award that was granted to Mr. Wardfollowing factors, among others, in 2013 for retention purposes vested in May 2016 with a value of $1,655,641. For both 2015 and 2016, theSummary Compensation Tableincludes the fair market value of theevaluating target LTIP grants made each year, portions of which may or may not pay out, depending on Company performance. The chart below shows the CEO’s Realized Pay for fiscal years 2015 and 2016.

Realized Pay for 2016 includes the following:compensation levels:

base salary of $1.2 million paid during 2016;

Contribution to the Company’s financial results;

RSUsEffectiveness in developing and implementing the Company’s business strategy to support operating and financial performance;

Performance compared to the specific goals, objectives and measures determined for CSX and for the individual executive at the beginning of the year;
Contribution in creating a culture that vested during 2016 in the amount of $3.61 million (basedaligns with transformational business goals, as well as reinforcing focus on the Company’s stock price on the vesting date);

guiding principles; and

performance units awarded pursuant to the 2014-2016 LTIP cycle in the amount of $2.34 million (based on the Company’s stock price on the vesting date); and

annual bonus of $2.06 million earned for 2016.

The CEO’s Realized Pay for 2016 was $9.21 million compared to $7.76 million in 2015. The change was driven primarily by the vesting of the special 2013 retention RSU grant and a higher short-term incentive payment in 2016, both of which were only slightly offset by the lower long-term incentive payout.

Executive Compensation Practices

What is CSX’s executive compensation philosophy?

The Committee believes that a strong, dedicated and engaged executive leadership team is essential to driving performance and delivering shareholder value. Accordingly, the Committee has designed the executive compensation program to motivate and reward the executive leadership team and align their compensation with the short- and long-term performance of the Company. In designing the Company’s compensation program, the Committee considers shareholder input through the annual say-on-pay vote, and believes that the positive 2016 vote (95.8% of votes cast voted for our say-on-pay proposal) validates the Company’s compensation philosophy.



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The compensation program at CSX is premised on the following two key principles:

balanced, performance-based compensation is essential to enhancing shareholder value; and

the total executive compensation opportunity, including benefits, should be competitive with reasonable market practices.

These key principles help ensure that the Company’s executives are properly compensated and focused on specific performance factors that measure progress against the Company’s strategic business goals. The compensation principles discussed in the CD&A are applied in all but extraordinary circumstances.

What are the specific objectives of the Company’s executive compensation program?

The executive compensation program is structured to achieve the following objectives:

Attract and retain high-performing talent.Utilize competitive compensation and benefits programs to attract and retain talented, motivated, high-performing executives with specific skill sets and relevant experience.

Drive business and financial performance.Inspire leaders to achieve or exceed annual business goals.

Focus on long-term success.Mitigate risk and hold leaders accountable for long-term results that provide strong returns for shareholders over time.

Align ownership interests with shareholders.Require that a significant portion of overall compensation be performance-based equity to align the long-term interests of executives with those of CSX’s shareholders.

What is the role of the Compensation Committee?

The Committee oversees the development and approval of the Company’s compensation philosophy, strategy and design. The Committee strives to incent and reward performance through compensation plans that appropriately balance risks and incentives while taking into account independent data and changing market practices. In assessing performance of the NEOs in connection with incentive compensation payouts, the Committee conducts a detailed review of strategic goals that considers enterprise-wide risk assessments.

In establishing individual executive compensation opportunities and approving payouts, the Committee considers analyses and recommendations from its independent compensation consultant, competitive practices and the CEO’s recommendations (for senior executives other than himself). The Committee does not rely solely on guidelines, formulas or short-term changes in business performance. Key factors affecting the Committee’s determinations include:

the nature, scope and level of the executive’s responsibilities internally relative to other executives and externally based on market comparisons;the comparator group.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis   |   Executive Compensation Practices

In keeping with past practices, the Committee developed a customized comparator group for 2019 comprised of 14 primarily U.S.-based companies and North American railroads (the “Comparator Group”) to help guide executive compensation decisions at CSX. The Committee annually assesses and approves the Comparator Group to ensure that it reflects market characteristics comparable to those of the Company, including revenue, assets, net income, market capitalization, number of employees, industry type and business complexity. In addition, the Committee reviews the degree of overlap with proxy advisory peer companies. As a result of its review, the Committee approved the Comparator Group for 2019.

2019 COMPARATOR GROUP

Market Capitalization as of December 31, 2019
(in millions)
Revenue as of Fiscal Year-end 2019
(in millions)

performance compared to the specific goals and objectives determined for CSX and for the individual executive at the beginning of the year;

the executive’s contribution to CSX’s financial results and safety performance;

the executive’s effectiveness in leading CSX’s initiatives to improve customer service, productivity, and employee development and engagement; and

the executive’s contribution to CSX’s corporate responsibility efforts, including the executive’s success in creating a culture of unyielding integrity and compliance with applicable laws and CSX’s code of ethics.

What is the roleAll Values as of December 31, 2019

Role of the independent compensation consultant?Independent Compensation Consultant

Pursuant to its charter, the Committee has sole authority to select, retain and terminate any consultant used to assist the Committee in fulfilling its duties, including the authority to approve or ratify payments and other retention terms to any consultant.



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duties. The Committee has retained an independent compensation consultant, Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (the “Consultant”), to provide objective analysis and to assist in the development and evaluation of the Company’s executive compensation programs. The Consultant reports directly to the Chairperson of the Committee chair, and performs no other work for the Company. The Consultant generally attends all meetings where the Committee evaluates the overall effectiveness of the executive compensation programs or where the Committee analyzes or approves executive compensation. The Consultant is paid on an hourly fee basis, with such hourly rates approved by the Committee annually.

The Committee reviews the performance and independence of the Consultant on an annual basis, at which time it makes a determination asdecides whether to the renewal ofrenew the Consultant’s annual engagement. Each year, the Committee considers all appropriate information relating to the independence of the Consultant and its professionals involved in the work performed for, and advice provided to, the Committee. In 2016,2019, the Committee determined that: (i) the relationships and work of the Consultant and its professionals did not present any conflict of interest; and (ii) the Consultant and its professionals are independent for the purpose of providing advice to the Committee with respect to matters relating to the compensation of the executives and non-employee directors of the Company.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis   |   Executive Compensation Practices

Consultant’s dutiesRole and responsibilities included:

Responsibilities

assisting in the development of a peer group of companies for comparison purposes;

analyzingAnalyzing competitive practices, financial information, stock price and other performance data;

data in relation to the Company’s executive compensation philosophy

Reviewing compensation governance practices, including an annual risk assessment related to the Company’s compensation plans

Reviewing performance targets and assessing performance against targets for the Company’s short and long-term incentive plans
Assessing compensation plan design in the context of the Company’s strategic business needsgoals, shareholder value creation and shareholder impact;


reviewing performance targets for the Company’s short-term and long-term incentive plans;

employee engagement

providingProviding regular updates to the Committee with respect to current trends and developments in legislative and regulatory activity, compensation program design and governance;

governance

consultingAssisting in the development of a comparator group of companies for compensation comparison purposes

Consulting with the Committee Chairchair to plan and prioritize Committee agenda items; and

providing the Committee with an independence letter each year in a form approved by the Committee Chair.

items

What is the role of the CEO in compensation decisions?

The CEO reviews compensation benchmark data for members of his senior executive team, which in 2016 included President; Executive Vice PresidentCompensation Risk Evaluation and CFO; Executive Vice President and COO; Executive Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer; Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary; Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer; and Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of CSX Technology, Inc. (together with the CEO, the “Executive Team”). Using this data, the CEO considers information on executive performance and scope of responsibility and makes individual compensation recommendations to the Committee for each Executive Team member (other than himself). These recommendations include: (i) possible salary adjustments; (ii) payout recommendations for annual incentive compensation for Executive Team members based on individual performance during the previous year; and (iii) short and long-term incentive awards.

The CEO also provides input on targets for performance-based compensation plans but does not participate in the formal determination of such targets. The CEO does not make recommendations with respect to his own compensation, nor is he present when the Committee discusses his individual compensation.

What is the Company’s process for evaluating risk in connection with its compensation programs?Mitigation

The Committee believes appropriately structured compensation plansprograms should take into consideration enterprise risks and discourage behavior that leads to inappropriate increases in the Company’s overall risk profile. Accordingly, management, the Committee and theits Consultant routinelyregularly review the Company’s enterprise risks and executive compensation plan design to consider whether the plans motivate the appropriate levels of riskbehaviors and mitigate unnecessary or excessive risk-taking.

On an annual basis, management preparesEach year, the Committee reviews a risk assessment prepared by management and the Consultant that focuses primarily on the structure, key features and risk mitigating factors included in the Company’s cash and stock incentiveexecutive compensation programs. This risk assessment: (i) describes the process for establishing the Company’s compensation programs; (ii) reviews the risks and mitigating factors present in the Company’s compensation programs; (iii) analyzes

Describes the process for establishing the Company’s executive compensation programs;
Reviews potential risks and mitigating factors related to the Company’s executive compensation programs;
Analyzes the relationship between the executive compensation programs and the Company’s enterprise risks identified through the Company’s business risk mitigation process; and
When appropriate, provides recommendations for potential enhancements to further mitigate compensation risks.

The risk assessment, which includes a summary of all executive compensation programs and the Company’s enterprise risks identified through the Company’s business risk mitigation process; and (iv) when appropriate, provides recommendations for potential enhancements to further mitigate compensation risks.



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The risk assessmentparticipation, helps the Committee evaluate: (i) the nature of the risks inherent in the Company’s executive compensation programs; and (ii) whether the Company has designed and implemented appropriate risk management processes that foster a culture of risk-awareness.

How doesIn 2019, this assessment led to a conclusion by management, which was affirmed by the Consultant, that the executive compensation programprograms of the Company were appropriately designed to mitigate excessive risk-taking?

Thecompensation risk. As a result, the Committee believes that any risks arising from its executive compensation policies and practices are not likely to have a material adverse effect on the following elementsCompany.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis   |   Elements of the Company’s executive compensation program serve2019 Executive Compensation Programs

Executive Compensation Program Features that Serve to mitigate risk:

Mitigate Risk

executive compensationCompensation is appropriately balancesbalanced between (i) fixed and variable compensation and (ii) short-short and long-term compensation;

incentives

significantSignificant weighting towards long-term incentive compensation discourages short-term risk-taking;

risk-taking

multipleMultiple long-term incentive compensation vehicles with overlapping vesting periods are used, including performance units RSUs and non-qualified stock options;


rolling multi-year performance periods for the performance units portion of the long-term incentive compensation program discourages short-term risk-taking;

options

performancePerformance measures for short-short and long-term incentive awards apply to all eligible executives and employees alike, regardless ofreinforce the Company’s business unit;

goals

performance measures for short-Clawback provisions in short and long-term incentive awards align with the Company’s strategic operating plan and focus on Operating Income, Operating Ratio, ROA, safety, customer service, operating efficiency, share price appreciation and other strategic goals;


clawback provisions in short- and long-term incentive compensationplans require repayment of awards in certain circumstances;

circumstances

financialFinancial performance measures have a highstrong, relevant correlation to long-term shareholder value creation;

creation

multipleMultiple financial performance measures in the short and long-term incentive planplans provide a balanced approach associated with reduced risk;


short-Short and long-term incentive awards include maximum payout caps;

caps on financial performance measures for NEOs

the Committee may apply downward discretion to reduce incentive compensation payouts for Executive Team members;

internalInternal controls over the measurement and calculation of performance measures protect against manipulation by employees; and

data integrity

minimum three-year vesting periods and shareShare ownership guidelines reinforce alignment of executive and shareholder interests.

interests

Elements of the Company’s 2019 Executive Compensation Programs

As an organization focused on pay-for-performance, CSX provides competitive total compensation opportunities in line with similar Comparator Group companies. The Committee reviews the performance and accomplishments of each executive to ensure short-term incentive payouts that are consistent with the Company’s overall executive compensation program is designed to reward consistent performance by heavily weighting the NEO’s compensation to long-term incentives that reward sustainable financial and operating performance. Moreover, the Committee believes that the Company’s approach to goal setting, establishment of targets with payouts at differing levels of performance and evaluation of performance results serve to mitigate excessive risk-taking that could negatively impact shareholder value or reward poor judgment or execution by executives.

How does CSX benchmark its competitive pay practices?

The Committee regularly evaluates competitive compensation data including information from peer railroad companies and general industry companies. Data sources include third-party surveys of primarily North American companies and proxy disclosures of other major U.S. railroads.

The Company benchmarks target compensation data for the NEOs, including base salary and short- and long-term incentives with that of similar positions at peer railroads and general industry companies. For purposes of reviewing targeted compensation amounts for the NEOs, the Committee reviews market data at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles of comparator group compensation. When making compensation decisions, the Committee considers this market data, the scope of the individual’s responsibilities and performance, as well as other factors previously discussed in this CD&A.



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For 2016, the Company used a customized comparison group comprised of 15 primarily U.S.-based companies (the “Comparator Group”) to help determine compensation levels and mix. The Committee annually assesses and approves the Comparator Group to ensure that it reflects market characteristics comparable to those of the Company, including revenue, assets, net income, market capitalization, number of employees, industry type and business complexity. The Company believes the use of the Comparator Group over the larger general industry group allows for a more refined analysis of various compensation components. For 2016, the Comparator Group was comprised of the following companies:

2016 Comparator Group

Company NameRevenue1
Canadian Pacific Railway Limited$4,642
Dover Corporation$6,794
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.$9,524
Norfolk Southern Corporation$9,888
CSX Corporation$11,069
Dominion Resources, Inc.$11,737
Canadian National Railway Company$12,037
Ingersoll-Rand plc$13,509
Illinois Tool Works$13,599
Waste Management, Inc.$13,609
Textron Inc.$13,788
PPG Industries, Inc.$14,766
The Danaher Corporation$16,882
Cummins, Inc.$17,509
Union Pacific Corporation$19,941
Raytheon Company$24,069
25th Percentile$9,615
50th Percentile$12,773
75th Percentile$16,062
Company NameMarket Cap2
Dover Corporation$11,640
Textron Inc.$13,121
Ingersoll-Rand plc$19,385
Canadian Pacific Railway Limited$20,882
Cummins, Inc.$22,998
PPG Industries, Inc.$25,016
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.$31,271
Waste Management, Inc.$31,342
Norfolk Southern Corporation$31,550
CSX Corporation$33,349
Raytheon Company$41,698
Illinois Tool Works Inc.$42,984
Dominion Resources, Inc.$48,003
The Danaher Corporation$53,842
Canadian National Railway Company$69,309
Union Pacific Corporation$85,444
25th Percentile$21,940
50th Percentile$31,342
75th Percentile$45,493


(1)Revenue as of fiscal year-end 2016.
(2)Market Cap as of December 31, 2016.


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What are the elements of the Company’s executive compensation program?

The various components of the Company’s compensation program include base salary and short- and long-term incentive compensation (“Total Direct Compensation”). The Company also provides retirement and other employee benefits, non-qualified deferred compensation plans and limited perquisites (“Indirect Compensation”).objectives.

The Committee makes its decisions concerning the specific compensation elements and total compensation paid or awarded to the Company’s NEOs within the framework described herein and after consultation with the Consultant.herein. The objective is to provide total paycompensation opportunities that are competitive with those providedoffered by companies in the Comparator Group, with actual payment of incentive compensation dependent upon the achievement of both the Company and individual performance. The Committee bases its specific decisions and judgments on whether each award or payment provides an appropriate incentive and reward for individual performance that is consistent with the Company’s executive compensation objectives.

Pay ElementFormPerformanceObjective
SalaryCashBased on assessment of scope of responsibilities, individual performance, experience and long-term shareholder value creationRecruit, engage and retain talented high-performing leaders
Short-Term IncentivesCash
The Company’s performance measures for the cash awards are:
Operating Income
Operating Ratio
Safety
Individual performance is also considered for determining the final payout for the executive
Motivate and reward executives and eligible employees for driving performance within a one-year period
Long-Term Incentives
Performance Units
Non-qualified Stock Options
The performance measures for the performance units are:
Operating Ratio
Free Cash Flow
Formulaic linear Relative Total Shareholder Return modifier of +/- 25% with 250% maximum
Motivate and reward executives to drive strategic initiatives that create shareholder value over a three-year period

The CommitteeCompany also periodically reviews the competitiveness of Indirect Compensation.

Were there any special grants or adjustments to NEOprovides retirement and other health and group benefits, non-qualified deferred compensation in 2016?

In connection with the Board’s succession planning efforts, Messrs. Eliassonplans and Lonegro and Ms. Sanborn each received a restricted stock grantlimited perquisites. The NEOs generally participate in the amount of $500,000, which vests five years from the date of grant. For purposes of retention and in recognition of his experience, leadership and commitment, the Committee increased Mr. Ward’s LTI opportunity from $7 million to $9 million.same benefit programs as all eligible management employees.

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What isCompensation Discussion and Analysis   |   Elements of the target compensation mixCompany’s 2019 Executive Compensation Programs

2019 Target Compensation Mix for the CEO and other NEOs?Other NEOs

The Company’s executive compensation philosophy requires that a substantial portion of total compensation be at-risk and consist of performance-based incentives that link to CSX’s financial and strategicoperating results. In addition, the Committee strives to strike an appropriate balance between short-short and long-term compensation. The mix between fixed and variable compensation and short-short and long-term compensation is designed to align the NEOs’ financial incentives with shareholder interests. In 2016, approximately 52%2019, 90% of the CEO’s targeted Total Direct Compensation was performance-based and an averageat-risk.


James M. Foote
President and Chief Executive Officer

Age66

Tenure2.5 years

Responsibilities

Mr. Foote has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since December 2017. He joined CSX in October 2017, as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, with responsibility for both operations and sales and marketing. Mr. Foote has more than 40 years of railroad industry experience. Most recently, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Bright Rail Energy. Before heading Bright Rail, he was Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing with Canadian National Railway Company. At Canadian National, Mr. Foote also served as Vice President – Investor Relations and Vice President Sales and Marketing – Merchandise.

2019 Accomplishments

Led the Company to historical financial and operating performance including the Company’s first ever sub-60% (58.4% actual) operating ratio
Improved personal injury safety performance to the best in the rail industry
Drove year-over-year operating performance improvements that resulted in industry-leading customer service
Developed, aligned and communicated key organizational messages and financial targets

2019 Target Compensation


Base Salary:$1,250,000

Target Annual Bonus:$1,750,000

Target Long-Term Incentives:$10,000,000

Target Total Direct Compensation:$13,000,000

38       CSX Corporation 2020 Proxy Statement


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Compensation Discussion and Analysis   |   Elements of the other NEOs’ targeted Total DirectCompany’s 2019 Executive Compensation was at-risk. The at-risk componentPrograms


Kevin S. Boone
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Age42

Tenure2.6 years

Responsibilities

Mr. Boone has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since October 2019. In this role, he is responsible for all financial aspects of the Company’s business including financial and economic analysis, accounting, tax, treasury, real estate and purchasing activities. Mr. Boone has more than 18 years of experience in finance, accounting, mergers and acquisitions, and transportation performance analysis. He joined CSX in September 2017, as Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Chief Investor Relations Officer and was later named Vice President, Marketing and Strategy leading research and data analysis to advance growth strategies for CSX.

2019 Accomplishments

Generated more than $200 million of incremental free cash flow through working capital initiatives and improved capital efficiency
Exceeded annual free cash flow and operating targets despite macro driven revenue headwinds
Developed and implemented new cost plan to mitigate impact of unfavorable freight volume environment

2019 Target Compensation


Base Salary:$475,000

Target Annual Bonus:$427,000

Target Long-Term Incentives:$2,000,000

Target Total Direct Compensation:$2,902,000



Jamie J. Boychuk
Executive Vice President – Operations

Age42

Tenure2.7 years

Responsibilities

Mr. Boychuk has served as CSXT’s Executive Vice President – Operations since October 2019. In this role, he is responsible for mechanical, engineering, transportation and network operations. Since joining CSXT in 2017, he has held the positions of Senior Vice President of Network, Engineering, Mechanical and Intermodal Operations; Vice President of Scheduled Railroading; and Assistant Vice President of Transportation Support. Mr. Boychuk previously worked at Canadian National Railway, where he served for 20 years in various operational roles of increasing responsibility.

2019 Accomplishments

Achieved industry-leading Federal Railroad Administration (“FRA”) personal injury rate • Drove record operating performance levels
Reduced Train & Engine (“T&E”) employee crew starts contributing over $100 million in annual savings
Achieved record levels of fuel, locomotive and T&E efficiencies

2019 Target Compensation


Base Salary:$500,000

Target Annual Bonus:$450,000

Target Long-Term Incentives:$2,000,000

Target Total Direct Compensation:$2,950,000

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Table of executive compensation means that if the Company did not meet or exceed the pre-established threshold financial performance levels, the executive would not receive a payout under the applicable short- or long-term incentive plan.Contents

The chart below illustrates the amountCompensation Discussion and Analysis   |   Elements of target Total Direct Compensation, including compensation that is at-risk, for the CEO and the other NEOs. Actual percentages of Realized Pay may vary in a given year depending on the payouts under the incentive compensation programs and the Company’s stock price performance.2019 Executive Compensation Programs


2016 CEO TargetEdmond L. Harris
Compensation Mix
Executive Vice President

Age70

Tenure2.2 years

2016 NEO Target Compensation
Mix (excluding CEO)
     

Responsibilities

Mr. Harris has served as Executive Vice President of CSXT since October 2019. In this role, he is responsible for safety, performance metrics, operational planning, and facilities. In 2018, he joined CSXT as Executive Vice President of Operations. Mr. Harris has more than 40 years of railroad industry experience. His previous experience also includes having served as Chief Operations Officer at Canadian Pacific. He also served as Executive Vice President of Operations at Canadian National.

2019 Accomplishments

Enhanced safety compliance and achieved industry-leading FRA personal injury rate
Optimized rail assets and resources enhancing overall Company productivity and cost savings
Advanced preliminary labor bargaining and strategy development
Delivered frontline supervisor training to accelerate decision-making, improve leadership skills and drive operating improvements and organizational change

2019 Target Compensation


Base Salary:$600,000

Target Annual Bonus:$540,000

Target Long-Term Incentives:$2,000,000

Target Total Direct Compensation:$3,140,000



Nathan D. Goldman
Executive Vice President
– Chief Legal Officer and
Corporate Secretary

Age62

Tenure16 years

Responsibilities

Mr. Goldman has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of CSX since November 2017. In this role, he directs the Company’s legal affairs, government relations, risk management, public safety, environmental, corporate communications and internal audit functions. During his 16 years with the Company, Mr. Goldman has previously served as Vice President of Risk Compliance and General Counsel and has overseen work in compliance, risk management and safety programs.

2019 Accomplishments

Worked with governors and legislatures to secure over $220 million in state infrastructure grants
Successfully secured a $125 million Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant
Managed critical litigation to successful conclusions
Actively engaged on critical legislation impacting the Company’s competitive interests
Secured listing on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index - North America for the ninth year in a row

2019 Target Compensation


Base SalarySalary:$500,000

Target Annual Bonus:$450,000

Target Long-Term Incentives:$2,000,000

Target Total Direct Compensation:$2,950,000

How is base salary determined?40       CSX Corporation 2020 Proxy Statement


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Compensation Discussion and Analysis   |   2019 Base Salary

2019 Base Salary

The Committee determines a base salary for each NEO basedexecutive centered on its assessment of the individual’s experience,scope of responsibilities, performance, experience, and contribution to CSX. For purposes of recruiting and retention, base salaries are determined following a review oflong-term shareholder value creation. The Committee also considers salary data for similar positions within the Comparator Group. Base salary may represent a larger or smaller percentage of Total Direct Compensationtotal compensation if actual Company and individual performance under the short and long-term incentive plans discussed below exceeds or fallsherein fall short of or exceed pre-established performance targets.

2019 Short-Term Incentive Compensation

How is short-term incentive compensation determined?

Short-term incentive compensation isThe Company’s 2019 Management Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2019 MICP”) was designed to reward executives and other members of managementeligible employees for driving Company performance withinover a 12-monthone-year period. The Senior Executive Incentive Plan (“SEIP”) isAs discussed earlier in the Company’s vehicle for providing annual incentive opportunities for the NEOs covered under Section 162(m). The Company’s objective is for payments made pursuant to the SEIP to be covered under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), although there can be no assurance that such payments will be deductible under Section 162(m) of the Code. Under this shareholder-approved plan, the maximum amount payable is equal to the lesser of: (i) 0.3% of Operating Income for the CEO and 0.2% of Operating Income for each other NEO covered under Section 162(m); or (ii) $3 million. The Committee may adjust this amount downward in its sole discretion.



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In 2016,CD&A, the Committee exercised its downward discretion with respectannually reviews the goals and measures used to the NEOs covered under Section 162(m) by utilizing the same methodologydrive business results and performance achievement used under the Company’s Management Incentive Compensation Plan (“MICP”). The MICP is the Company’s annual incentive plancreate value for eligible management employees. The MICP is 100% performance-based and requires attainment of both financial and strategic objectives. No payout is made under the MICP unless a pre-set Operating Income level is achieved, regardless of achievement of strategic goals. Applying the methodology utilized under the MICP, eachshareholders. Each NEO has an incentive opportunity expressed as a percentpercentage of base salary earned during the year (“Target Incentive Opportunity”). In 2016,2019, the Target Incentive Opportunity levelslevel for Messrs. Ward and Gooden were 120% and 100%, respectively.Mr. Foote was increased to 140% to align with external peers. The Target Incentive Opportunity levelslevel for Messrs. EliassonBoone, Boychuk, Goldman, Harris and Lonegro and Ms. Sanborn were eachremained unchanged at 90%. The actual payouts are adjusted to reflect Company and individual performance. of base salary.

2019 MICP Performance Measures

The 2019 performance measures reflect critical drivers of CSX’s business success:

Operating Income

Directly tied to Operating Ratio targets and gauges the general health of the core business - quantifying our profitability.

Operating Ratio

A key indicator of the Company’s efficiency.

Ensuring we are maximizing the value of our service product, as well as ensuring that our processes are safe and cost efficient are main themes of our guiding principles.

Safety

Added in 2019, FRA Personal Injury and Train Accident rates underscore the critical importance of intensifying our focus on injury and accident prevention.

The goal is to improve our prior year safety results — which requires greater focus on ensuring employees’ personal safety and the safety of fellow railroaders, and upholding our commitment to protect customers’ freight and the communities in which we operate.

Safety is a top priority for CSX, and at all times, our efforts must reflect our commitment to prevent injuries and accidents — and that includes mitigating risk of inappropriate behaviors such as incomplete or inaccurate reporting of all accidents, incidents, injuries and occupational hazards.

To determine the payout, the Committee comparesassesses the Company’s performance toagainst the preapproved performance goals for the year. TheThese Company performance goals are divided between: (i) the financial measurement—Operating Income—which is based upon the Company’s business plan andmeasures can result in a payment between 0% and 160% of the NEO’s Target Incentive Opportunity; and (ii) the strategic measurements that can result in a payment between 0% and 40% of the NEO’s Target Incentive Opportunity. Therefore, the actual payout can range between 0% and 200% of the NEO’s Target Incentive Opportunity.

The MICP Operating Income target In addition, individual performance allows for 2016 was set at $3.264 billionupward or downward payout adjustments based on individual goal performance as compared to the guiding principles. Threshold performance must be met to receive a payout and there is a 250% maximum payout cap for NEOs. As shown in theSummary Compensation Table, the actual 2019 payouts were paid in cash and reflect the Company’s business plan. Achievement of this Operating Income target would have produced a payout of 80% under the financial component. Depending on the level of achievement on the strategic component, which has a maximum payout of 40%, the total payout at the target performance range could have ranged from 80% to 120% of the Target Incentive Opportunity.and individual NEO performance.

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Operating IncomeFinancial
Component
Strategic
Component
Total Payout
Range
Threshold - $2.764 billion30%0 - 40%30 - 70%
Target - 2016 Business Plan - $3.264 billion80%0 - 40%80 - 120%
Maximum - $3.564 billion160%0 - 40%160 - 200%




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Compensation Discussion and Analysis   |   2019 Short-Term Incentive Compensation

2019 MICP Targets and Payout Percentages

The 2016operating income target for 2019 was set at $4.955 billion and the operating ratio target was set at 60% (adjusted for actual average price of highway diesel fuel) based on the Company’s business plan. In addition, the 2019 MICP included strategic goals insafety improvement targets for FRA Personal Injuries and FRA Train Accidents. For 2019, the following categories: (i) safety; (ii) service excellence; (iii) reliability; (iv) value pricing; (v) productivity; (vi) risk management; (vii) technology optimization; and (viii) network transformation. These categories were selected to ensure that senior executives balance financial goals with key operating and business initiatives that impact employees, customers, communities and shareholders. There is no formal or informal weighting assigned to the individual goals or categories, and the Committee considers strategic results based on a subjective evaluation.

2016 MICP Strategic Performance Goals

Safety

Service Excellence

Reduce severe injuries as measured by Injury Severity Index

Maintain FRA Personal Injury Frequency Index

Reduce FRA Train Accident Frequency Index

Improve Customer Satisfaction Score

Achieved

Partially Achieved

Not Achieved

Partially Achieved


Reliability

Domestic Intermodal Availability

Committed Time of Arrival: Merchandise

Service Rail Car
Availability – Automotive

Local Service Measurement Carload

Achieved

Partially Achieved

Achieved

Achieved


Value Pricing

Productivity

Risk Management

Achieve “Same Store Sales” price goals

Achieve all-in productivity

Strategy for Changing Business: Through advocacy, compliance and strategic engagement, help drive work to: (i) increase intermodal and merchandise opportunities; (ii) reduce and monetize coal and non-coal properties; (iii) respond effectively to expectations of shareholders; and (iv) assure leading governance practices.

Not Achieved

Achieved

Achieved




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Technology Optimization

Deploy Technology to drive reliability, foster growth and reduce costs. Define opportunities to enable service, reduce asset intensity and enable further productivity. Recommend approach including investment, sequencing and benefits.

Submit revised Positive Train Control (“PTC”) Implementation Plan to FRA. Extend PTC Revenue Service Demonstration to 15-22 additional subdivisions (subject to software reliability and operational impacts) and complete 700 mission capable locomotives. Progress strategy for short lines, industry interoperability, and long-term PTC operations, maintenance and value.

Achieved

Achieved


Network Transformation

Coal Rationalization:Begin implementation of coal network rationalization plan by reducing approximately 150 - 200 miles of coal associated rail including yards, sidings and surplus track and explore collaboration with other railroads to reduce export coal port duplication and enable export market density.

Siding and Network Capacity:Develop and execute plan to add siding capacity where appropriate to enable longer trains to drive productivity, service and growth. Determine and recommend optimal investments and sequence.

Intermodal Growth:Improve Intermodal alignment within CSX and complete cross functional service integration. Develop and execute Intermodal Go-To-Market strategy and finalize decision on Central Carolina Connector.

Achieved

Achieved

Achieved




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What was the payout under the 2016 MICP?

The Company achieved a 2016 Operating Incomeslightly above-target operating income of $3.389 billion. This Operating Income$4.965 billion and an above-target operating ratio of 58.4%. In addition, FRA Personal Injuries and FRA Train Accidents also were better than target at 0.88 and 2.14, respectively. As such, the Company’s operating income, operating ratio and safety goal performance for 2019 resulted in a 108% payout for the financial component of the 2016 MICP. Based on performance against the strategic goals, the Committee approved a payout of 35% on the strategic component. Thus, the payout levels for the financial and strategic components, when combined, resulted in a total overall payout of 143%158% of target incentive opportunities. In accordance

The 2019 MICP allowed a formulaic adjustment to the operating ratio performance goal by a pre-determined amount if the average cost of highway diesel fuel was outside the range of $2.85 to $3.35 per gallon. This adjustment is designed to account for the potential impact that volatile fuel prices have on expenses and operating ratio. Because the 2019 average price per gallon was $3.06 for highway diesel fuel, which was inside the pre-determined range, there was no adjustment to the operating ratio goal.

The Committee believes that the short-term measures are directly aligned with the Company’s performance management program, actual MICP award payouts were adjusted upward or downward fromstrategic short-term goals, directly impacted by executive leadership actions, support our long-term strategy, help deliver shareholder value and ensure retention of critical talent. The Committee believes that sustained improvements in operating efficiencies and the 143% basedfocus on individual performance.

What wasgrowth will continue to play a critical role in the 2016 short-term incentive compensation payout for the NEOs?continued creation of shareholder value.

Similar to how management assessesevaluates the performance of all eligible employees, the Committee annually assesses the individual performance of each NEO and determines payout amounts, which were capped at the maximum Company payout of 250% of target for 2019, based on individual performance. Based on the 2019 accomplishments for each NEO as described above, the Committee approved a 197.5% annual incentive payout for Messrs. Foote, Boone and Boychuk and a 158% payout for Messrs. Harris, Goldman and Lonegro. These payouts are reportedreflected in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the SummarytheSummary Compensation Table. As in prior years, the payouts for the NEOs were calculated pursuant

The 2020 MICP design continues to the methodology appliedemphasize safety, operating income and operating ratio with an increased weighting of operating income to the MICPfocus on sustainable growth. Payout opportunities on Company measures and therefore, were substantially less than the maximum available to each individual under the SEIP. Consistent with MICP practices, awards for the NEOs may varypayout opportunities based on individual performance. In light of extraordinary efforts that helped generate $427 million of productivity in 2016,performance remain the Committee approved a payout of 163% for Ms. Sanborn. For each of the other NEOs, the Committee approved an annual incentive compensation payout at 143% of target.same.

42       CSX Corporation 2020 Proxy Statement




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How does the 2016 payout compare to prior year payouts?Compensation Discussion and Analysis   |   Long-Term Incentive Compensation

Long-Term Incentive Compensation

The chart below illustrates the Company’s historical Operating Income and the percentage payout under the MICP since 2012.long-term incentive compensation program is intended to:

Year20122013201420152016
Operating Income (Target) (amounts in billions)$3.650$3.300$3.550$3.850$3.264
Operating Income (Actual)(1)(amounts in billions)$3.457$3.473$3.613$3.584(2)$3.389
Overall Payout (as a percentage of target incentive opportunity)60%130%116%60%143%

(1)ActualEngage and reward employees for extraordinary results reflect Operating Income at time of payout approval and do not reflect the revenue-related accounting adjustments disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K in 2013. The Operating Income for 2012, as disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for 2013, was $3.464 billion. MICP payouts were not impacted by the adjustments.that will maximize shareholder value;
Reinforce a pay-for-performance culture with a significant portion of total compensation at risk; and
(2)For 2015, the overall payment was basedAlign NEO interests with those of shareholders with a focus on 2015 adjusted Operating Income of $3.631 billion, which excludes $47 million of non-recurring expenses pursuant to the terms of the 2015 short-term incentive plan.generating sustainable performance over a multi-year period.

Has the short-term incentive plan been effective in driving Company performance?

The Committee believes that the short-term incentive opportunities provided to the NEOs help drive the Company’s annual performance. This improvement has been driven by initiatives focusing on asset utilization, productivity and yield management. The Committee believes that sustained improvements in Operating Income will continue to play a critical role in the creation of shareholder value.



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Long-Term Incentive Compensation

Long-term incentive compensation is intended to incent employee behavior that supports strategic initiatives to drive shareholder value over a multi-year period. This isThese goals are accomplished by providing equity-based incentives basedfocused on financial performance measures that: (i) have had a historically high correlation to shareholder returns; (ii) are within management’s direct control; and (iii) encourage long-term commitment and perspective. LTI areto delivering shareholder value. Long-term incentives have been granted under the shareholder-approved 2010 CSX Stock and Incentive Award Plan (the “2010 Stock Plan”) and 2019 Stock and Incentive Award Plan (the “2019 Stock Plan” and together with the 2010 Stock Plan, the “Stock Plan”Plans”).

The Stock Plans allow for different types of equity-based awards and provide flexibility in compensation design to attract, retain and engage high-performing NEOs. The Committee determines the mix of equity vehicles annually to ensure alignment with market practice, motivate appropriate long-term results-driven behaviors, and align Company and NEO performance to shareholder interests and maximize value creation. The mix has included performance units and non-qualified stock options to align the NEOs’ interests with those of shareholders, and achieve key performance goals and absolute stock price appreciation.

Elements of Long-Term Incentive Compensation

The Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) provides a significant portion of the NEOs’ compensation. Each year, a market competitive long-term incentive target grant value (in dollars) is identified for each eligible position level and converted into the appropriate number of grantsperformance units and non-qualified stock options based on the average closing value of CSX common stock for the full three-month period prior to the grant.grant or the Black-Scholes value for that same period, as applicable. The grants associated with each three-year cycle are reviewed and approved by the Committee each year for the NEOs and other eligible participants. These grants are made and the performance targets set following the annual Board review of the Company’s business plan for the applicable upcoming three-year period.

What formsEach three-year LTIP cycle is comprised of long-term incentive compensation are granted to NEOs?

The Stock Plan allows multiple and varying types of awards and provides flexibility in compensation design. Types of awards can include restricted stock, RSUs, performance units, stock options and stock appreciation rights. The Committee determines the mix of equity vehicles on an annual basis. The mix has historically included performance units and RSUs. Stocknon-qualified stock options were addedawards designed to drive long-term future value and growth through the achievement of Company metrics and increased stock prices. Since the three-year performance cycles run concurrently, the Company may have up to three active cycles during a given year. For example, the 2017-2019 performance cycle closed on December 31, 2019, and was paid out in 2016 to encourage absolute stock price appreciation.January 2020. The 2018-2020, 2019-2021 and 2020-2022 cycles remain in progress, which ensures that our employees remain focused on long-term sustainable performance.

Performance Units. Performance units are granted at the beginning of the period known as theapplicable performance cycleperiod in accordance with the Company’s LTIP, as described below. Awards are paid in the form of CSX common stock at the end of the performance period based onassuming the attainment of pre-establishedCompany performance goals. Dividend equivalents are not paid on performance units for the outstanding LTIP cycles. Performance units are subject to forfeiture if a participant’s employment terminates before the end of the performance cycle for any reason other than death, disability, retirement or retirement. Ifother limited circumstances, as approved by the Committee. In such instances, participants, other than Messrs. Foote and Harris, receive a pro-rata portion of their award based on the number of months completed in the LTIP cycle. The employment agreements for Messrs. Foote and Harris provide that, in connection with their retirement, their full awards will continue to vest through the end of any outstanding LTIP cycles.

Performance unit payouts for each LTIP cycle, if any, do not occur until approved by the Committee in January of the year following the last year of the three-year performance cycle. These payouts can vary from the target grants in terms of both the number of shares paid out due to financial performance and the market value of CSX common stock at the time of payout. Based on actual performance, as discussed below, the performance unit payouts for the NEOs at the end of the performance cycle can range from 0% to 200% or 0% to 250% of the target grants depending on the cycle, and can be of lesser or greater value than the original grant value based on the price of CSX common stock.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis   |   Long-Term Incentive Compensation

Non-qualified Stock Options. Non-qualified stock options require stock price appreciation to provide any value to the NEOs. As a result, they reinforce leadership’s focus on the importance of value creation for shareholders. Non-qualified stock options provide participants with the right to buy CSX stock at an agreed-upon price within 10 years of the date of grant. The exercise price of the non-qualified stock options is established as the closing stock price on the date of grant. The Stock Plans prohibit the repricing of outstanding non-qualified stock options without the approval of shareholders. For outstanding LTIP cycles, non-qualified stock options are subject to forfeiture if a participant’s employment terminates due tobefore the end of the vesting period for any reason other than death, disability, retirement or retirement,other limited circumstances, as approved by the Committee. In such instances, participants receive a pro-rata portion of the award based on the number of months completed in the cycle. The employment agreements for Messrs. Foote and Harris provide that, in connection with their retirement, their full awards will continue to vest in accordance with their terms.

Performance Measures for the 2017-2019 LTIP

The 2017-2019 LTIP cycle.

RSUs represent a promiseused cumulative operating ratio and modified return on assets (“ROA”) on an equally weighted basis to issue shares of common stock if a participant remains employed bymeasure the Company for a defined period of time referredCompany’s performance. These measures were selected prior to as the restriction period. RSUs granted in 2016 vest three years after the date of grant. Participants receive cash dividend equivalents on the unvested shares during the restriction period. Unlike performance units, RSUs are not subject to any performance requirements. RSUs are subject to forfeiture if employment terminates before the endimplementation of the restriction period for any reason other than death, disability or retirement. If employment terminates due to death or disability, the award fully vests and the shares are distributed to the participant or the participant’s estate. Upon retirement, the participant receives a pro-rata award based on the number of months completed in the restriction period.

Stock options require stock price growth in order to deliver any value; therefore, they reinforce leadership focus on the importance of returns to shareholders. Stock options provide participants with the right, but not the obligation, to buy CSX stock at an agreed-upon price within a certain period of time. Grants were made in February 2016 and vest three years from that date. Participants have ten years from the date of grant in which to exercise their options. The exercise price of the options is established as the closing stock price on the date of grant. The Stock Plan prohibits the repricing of outstanding stock options without the approval of shareholders. Stock options are subject to forfeiture if employment terminates before the end of the vesting period for any reason other than death, disability or retirement. If employment terminates due to death, disability or retirement, participants receive a pro-rata portion of the award based on the number of months completed in the vesting period. The prorated options vest according to the normal vesting schedule and the participant has seven years following vesting in which to exercise the vested options.

New LTIP cycles are approved each year when the Committee grants performance units to participants. These grants are made following annual Board review of the Company’s business plan for the applicable upcoming three-year period, upon which the performance targets are set. Each LTIP cycle is designed to emphasize performance while aligning executives’ interests with those of shareholders by linking the payout’s value to share price. The three-year performance cycles run concurrently, so the Company may have up to three active cycles during a given year. The 2014-2016 cycle closed on December 30, 2016. The 2015-2017, 2016-2018 and 2017-2019 cycles remain in progress.

Actual payouts for each LTIP cycle, if any, do not occur until January of the year following the last year in the three-year cycle. These payouts can vary significantly from the target grants in terms of both the number of shares paid out and the market value of CSX common stock at the time of payout. The payout is made in shares with the value of the payout derived by multiplying the number of performance units earned by the share price of CSX common stock at the time of payout. Based on actual performance, as discussed below, the payouts for the NEOs at the end of the performance cycle can range from 0% to 200% of the target grants. The NEOs’ awards can be reduced by as much as 30% based upon the Committee’s assessment of total shareholder return relative to three different indices during the cycle.

What were the performance measures for the 2014-2016 LTIP cycle?new operating model.

Operating Ratio and ROA served as the performance measures for the 2014-2016 LTIP cycle. The Committee chose Operating Ratio due to itsratio has a historically high correlation to CSX’sthe Company’s stock price alignment with shareholder valueand serves as a key financial performance measure for CSX and the abilityrailroad industry. As such, the use of employees to understand the impact of their actions in relation to Company performance. The Committee chose ROA because it serves as an indicatoroperating ratio has strengthened participants’ understanding of how efficientlythey can impact Company assets are being utilized.



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performance and drive operating efficiency. Long-term improvements in operating ratio have increased operating income and earnings, and created value for shareholders. Modified ROA was chosen as a performance measure to drive efficient asset utilization. Operating Ratio is defined as operating expense divided by operating revenue adjusted by excluding non-recurring items that are disclosed in the Company’s financial statements.ratio and modified ROA is calculated using tax-adjusted Operating Income, excluding non-recurring items as disclosed in the Company’s financial statements, divided by net property. The tax-adjusted Operating Income uses a flat 38% tax rate to eliminate volatility of one-time tax issues. Net property is calculated by subtracting accumulated depreciation from gross property. Operating Ratio and ROAwere each comprisedweighted 50% of the total payout opportunity for participants, and each waswere measured independently of the other.

Operating Ratio (OR)=Operating Expenses
Operating Revenues
Modified Return on
Assets (ROA)
=Tax-Adjusted Operating Income
 Net Property

The threshold, target and maximum payouts for each measure are 10%, 50% and 100%, respectively, generating a total target payout of 100% and a maximum possible payout of 200% for the 2014-20162017-2019 LTIP. The 2017-2019 LTIP cycle. The 2014-2016 LTIP cycle measured cumulative Operating Ratiooperating ratio and average modified ROA over an 11-quartera 12-quarter period from April 2014 toJanuary 2017 through December 2016. The first quarter of 2014 was not included in the performance period due to timing of approval of the LTIP cycle.2019.

In addition to Operating Ratiooperating ratio and modified ROA, the Committee maintainsmaintained downward discretion on the payouts for the NEOs who received this grant (Messrs. Goldman and Lonegro) based on relative total shareholder return (“Relative TSR”). If CSX’s 2014-2016the Company’s 2017-2019 Relative TSR iswas in the bottom quartile of any of thethree different performance comparison groups (S&P 500, Transportation Industry and 6 Class I U.S. and Canadian railroads) for the 11-quarter12-quarter period, the Committee may exercisehad discretion to reduce the payout by up to 30% downward discretion.

The Committee recognizes that operating ratio is a measure in the short and long-term plans, but believes inclusion in both plans reflects the criticality of the alignment between operating ratio and the focus on operating efficiency. The Committee does not believe this overlap will create inappropriate risk-taking since the payoutmeasurement periods are different (one vs. three years), and operational measures and reviews are in place to Executive Team members.

Operating Ratio =Operating Expenses50%
Operating Revenues
Return on Assets (ROA) =Tax-Adjusted Operating Income50%
Net Property

What weremonitor risk. The Committee annually reviews the financial goalsmeasures used for each long-term incentive cycle, and makes changes as appropriate.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis   |   Long-Term Incentive Compensation

Financial Goals for the 2014-20162017-2019 LTIP cycle?

The LTIP targets for the 2014-20162017-2019 LTIP cycle were set to provide an incentive to continue growingincentivize long-term shareholder value. Under the 2014-2016 LTIP cycle: (i) a cumulative Operating Ratio of 72.0% was needed to achieve a threshold payout; (ii) a cumulative Operating Ratio of 70.0% was needed to achieve a target payout; and (iii) a cumulative Operating Ratio of 69.0% was needed to achieve a maximum payout. These performance levelsvalue creation. The goals were subject to adjustmentset in February 2017 based on the price per gallonthree-year business plan at the time of highway diesel fuel,the adoption and preceded leadership changes and the Company’s business transformation. Based on these assumptions, the targets under the 2017-2019 LTIP were as discussed below. For ROA, the threshold, target and maximum payout goals were set at 7.61%, 8.29% and 8.67%, respectively.follows:

How are the performance levels adjusted for the price of fuel?

Cumulative Operating Ratio (100% maximum payout)Modified Return on Assets (100% maximum payout)
Threshold
(10% payout)
Target
(50% payout)
Maximum
(100% payout)
Threshold
(10% payout)
Target
(50% payout)
Maximum
(100% payout)

At the time of adoption of the 2014-20162017-2019 LTIP cycle,was approved by the Committee, a provision was made for the adjustment of the Operating Ratiooperating ratio performance goals by a pre-determined amount if the average cost of highway diesel fuel was outside the range of $3.53$2.47 - $4.03$2.97 per gallon. This potential adjustment is included indesigned to mitigate the plan design for each LTIP cycle due to the significant impact volatile fuel prices have on expenses and Operating Ratio.operating ratio. Based on thean average price per gallon of highway diesel fuel of $2.96 during the 2014-2016 cycle,2017-2019 LTIP, no operating ratio goal adjustment was made.

Beginning in 2017, the adjusted threshold, targetCompany’s operating model was substantially changed, which shifted focus to improved efficiencies and maximum payout targets were 70.9%, 68.9%cost reduction. These changes had an overwhelmingly positive impact on operating performance, earnings, and 67.9%, respectively.shareholder value creation.

What was the actual payoutHISTORICAL OPERATING RATIO AND OPERATING INCOME

Payout for the 2014-20162017-2019 LTIP cycle?Performance Units

Based on thea cumulative Operating Ratiooperating ratio of 69.7%61.3% and an average modified ROA of 7.56%8.95% for the cycle, the payout for the 2014-2016performance units, which comprised 50% of 2017-2019 LTIP, cycle was 34%200%. The Committee evaluatedCompany’s Relative TSR performance against the S&P 500, S&P 500 Transportation Industry and peer railroads and the Company's Relative TSR was not in the bottomtop quartile of any of theall three comparison groups for the cycle. Accordingly,cycle, so the Committee determined that there was no basis for a downward adjustment and did not exercise its downward discretion was applied.in this regard. Messrs. Foote, Boone, Boychuk and Harris did not receive a payout under the 2017-2019 LTIP since they were not employed with the Company at the time the cycle and awards were approved and granted by the Committee.

What types of long-term incentive compensation were granted toPerformance Measures for the NEOs in 2016?Outstanding LTIPs

In 2016,determining the Company added nonqualified stock optionsperformance measures for each cycle, the Committee: (i) considers information on various return-based measures; and (ii) actively monitors the effectiveness of existing measures in driving the Company’s strategic business objectives and delivering shareholder returns. The 2018-2020 and 2019-2021 LTIPs use operating ratio and free cash flow on an equally weighted basis to its existing mix of LTI vehicles, which include RSUsmeasure the Company’s performance. The 2020-2022 LTIP uses operating income and performance units. Stock options were added infree cash flow on an effort to better align our long-term incentive practices with shareholder value and those of general industry and rail peers, the majority of which utilize stock options as part of their long-term incentive compensation.equally weighted basis.

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The LTICompensation Discussion and Analysis   |   Employment Agreements

All three outstanding LTIPs are comprised of performance units and non-qualified stock options for the NEOs. For the 2018-2020 and 2019–2021 LTIPs, the LTIP mix was achieved by determining a market competitive LTILTIP grant value and allocating 50%60% of suchthe value to performance units, 25%and 40% to time-based RSUsnon-qualified stock options to continue to drive shareholder value in a pay-for-performance culture. For the 2020-2022 LTIP, the allocation was 50% performance units and 25%50% non-qualified stock options to stock options. This approach partially offsets market volatility and other external factors by sustaining a level of value while simultaneously preserving an incentive to meet performance goals. Additionally, this mix provides a stable and balanced LTI portfolio and maintains a strong linkfurther align our NEO’s long-term incentives directly to shareholder value. In determiningvalue creation and drive our pay-for-performance culture. The performance units for these three LTIP cycles have a formulaic linear upward or downward Relative TSR modifier of up to 25%, which applies only to the numberNEOs. This modifier is designed to appropriately align NEO payouts with share price performance relative to a transportation-related peer group.

Clawback Provision

Payouts made under the MICP and LTIPs may be subject to recovery or clawback. Under such clawback provisions, an employee who has received a payout will be required to promptly return the monies (or any portion of unitsthe monies requested by the Company) in each of the following circumstances: (i) if it is determined that the employee engaged in misconduct, including but not limited to, dishonesty, fraud (including reporting inaccurate financial information), theft, or other serious misconduct as determined by the Company, (ii) if the Company is required to file an accounting restatement due to the Company’s material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirements under the federal securities laws, or (iii) if the payout is otherwise required to be granted under each LTI vehicle,recovered by law or court order (i.e. garnishment).

Employment Agreements

Mr. Foote entered into an employment agreement upon his hiring as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in October 2017, which was superseded by an employment letter agreement entered into upon his promotion to President and CEO in December 2017. This agreement incorporated certain provisions from his prior agreement relating to: (i) severance benefits; (ii) vesting of long-term incentive awards after retirement; and (iii) employment benefits following a change of control.

Mr. Harris received an employment letter agreement upon his hiring as Executive Vice President-Operations in January 2018. This agreement was updated to reflect the target award value is divided by the average of CSX’s stock price during the three full monthschanges in his title and responsibilities in October 2019, and to remove certain severance protections included in his prior to the grant date, rather than the stock priceagreement.

No other NEOs have individual employment agreements. All individual employment agreements have been filed and can be reviewed on the date of grant. Using the three-month average reduces the impact of daily fluctuations in stock price.U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website atwww.sec.gov.

How many performance units, RSUsNon-Compete and stock options were granted to the NEOs in 2016?

After establishing the market-competitive, annual long-term incentive award value (in dollars) for each NEO, the dollar value was then converted into a number of performance units, RSUs and stock options based on the average closing price of CSX stock for November 2015, December 2015 and January 2016, which was $25.78.

The table below indicates the number of performance units, RSUs and stock options granted to each NEO on February 10, 2016.

NEO2016 Long-Term
Incentive Value
2016-2018
Performance Units
(50% of Value)
2016 RSUs
(25% of Value)
2016 Stock Options
(25% of Value)
Total Performance
Units, RSUs and Options
Michael J. Ward$9,000,000174,55487,277495,595757,426
Clarence W. Gooden$2,500,00048,48724,244137,665210,396
Frank A. Lonegro$1,500,00029,09214,54682,599126,237
Fredrik J. Eliasson$2,000,00038,79019,395110,132168,317
Cynthia M. Sanborn$2,000,00038,79019,395110,132168,317

Does the Company have non-compete agreements and clawback provisions?

Yes. The Company utilizes non-compete agreements and clawback provisions in connection with its compensation plans, which are described further below.

Non-Compete Agreements:Non-Solicitation Agreements

Vice Presidentspresidents and above, (“Senior Management”)including the President and CEO and executive vice presidents, as well as certain other key employees, are required to enter into formal non-compete and non-solicitation agreements with the Company as a condition for participation in each LTIP cycle. The non-compete agreements precludeagreement precludes an employeeexecutive from working for a competitor.competitor of the Company. The non-compete conditions extend for a period of 18 months following separation from employment. The non-solicitation provisions generally prohibit executives from soliciting CSX customers or soliciting, hiring or recruiting CSX employees for any business that competes with CSX for a period of 18 months after separation.

Severance Agreements

Mr. Foote is eligible for the following severance benefits under his employment letter agreement with the Company dated December 22, 2017:

Pro-rata vesting of his unvested equity awards, per the original vesting schedules, with any performance-based awards remaining subject to satisfaction of pre-established performance goals;
Pro-rata vesting of his MICP award; and
Lump sum cash payment equal to two times his base salary plus two times his target MICP.

As of December 31, 2019, Messrs. Boone, Boychuk, Goldman and Harris were eligible for benefits under the Company’s general severance policy available to all management employees. Under the general severance policy, the NEOs are eligible to receive: (i) up to one year’s salary for 20 or more years of service; (ii) continuation of medical and dental coverage for up to one year if periodic separation payments are selected; (iii) financial planning for up to one year; and (iv) proration of certain outstanding incentive awards.

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Clawbacks:Compensation Discussion and Analysis   |   Benefits

Short-term Incentive Plan.The short-term incentive plan contains provisions requiring NEOsNotwithstanding the foregoing, if an NEO is entitled to repayseverance benefits under his respective Change-of-Control Agreement, he shall not be entitled to the severance benefits outlined above. Severance amounts that would have been payable had the NEOs terminated employment with the Company portionsas of anyDecember 31, 2019 are described herein.

Change-of-Control Agreements

The Company provides “double-trigger” change-of-control benefits pursuant to agreements that are designed to ensure management objectivity as it makes strategic business decisions. The Company’s policy for severance benefits upon a change-of-control: (i) requires a “double-trigger” (i.e., payments are conditioned upon a change-of-control as well as separation from employment) to receive severance; (ii) prohibits Company reimbursement for the payment received if: (i) withinof excise taxes; (iii) defines “bonus” as the two-year period followingcurrent “target” amount; and (iv) requires a contract term not to exceed three years. The policy also provides that the receiptpayment of severance benefits, without shareholder approval, is limited to 2.99 times base salary plus bonus for NEOs.

All NEOs are subject to the terms of the payment,change-of-control agreements described above and as further detailed under the Company is required to restate its financial statements due to accounting irregularities;section entitled “Post-Termination and (ii) the payment amount received exceeded the otherwise proper payment based on the restated financials.Change-of-Control Payments.”

Benefits

Long-term Incentive Plan.In the event the Company is required to restate its financial statements due to accounting irregularities, the clawback provision in each LTIP requires that amounts in excess of the otherwise proper award be repaid to the Company. Each LTIP also contains provisions for Senior Management that require the repayment to the Company of portions of any award received if, within the two-year period following the receipt of the award, the employee violates certain conditions, including: (i) separation from the Company and working for a competitor in a similar capacity as the participant has functioned during the past five years at the Company; or (ii) engaging in conduct that puts the Company at a competitive disadvantage.

Benefits

What types of Retirement and Health and Welfare Benefits are provided to the NEOs?

Retirement Compensation:Programs

CSX’s retirement programs currently consist of two components: a defined benefit pensioncontribution 401(k) plan and a 401(k)now closed defined benefit pension plan. The retirement programs described below are provided to the NEOs under the following plans:

The CSX Corporation 401(k) Plan (“CSXtra Plan”);

CSX Pension Plan (the “Pension Plan”);

and

Special Retirement Plan for CSX Corporation and Affiliated Corporations (the “Special Retirement Plan”); and

The CSX Corporation 401(k) Plan (“CSXtra Plan”).

Pension Plan

The Pension Plan is qualified under the Code and covers CSX’s non-union employees. In general, pension benefits accrue in two different ways: (i) for employees hired before January 1, 2003, benefits accrue based on a “final average pay” formula; and (ii) for employees hired on or after January 1, 2003, benefits accrue based on a “cash balance” formula. All NEOs were hired before January 1, 2003, and as such, are eligible for benefits under the final average pay formula. Further information on the Pension Plan can be found in the discussion following thePension Benefits Table.

Special Retirement Plan

The Special Retirement Plan is a nonqualified plan and primarily provides benefits that are otherwise limited under the Pension Plan due to the qualified plan Code provisions. Further information on the Special Retirement Plan can be found in the discussion following thePension Benefits Table.

CSXtra Plan

All CSX non-union employeesThe NEOs may contribute to the CSXtra Plan, which is a traditional qualifieddefined contribution 401(k) plan. Participants may contribute on a pre-tax and after-tax basis and receive Company matching contributions. The Company’s matching contribution is equal to 100% on the employee’s first 1% contribution, and 50% on the employee’s additional contributions up to 6% of base salary.salary, for a Company match up to 3.5%. Participants may invest contributions in various funds, includinginvestment funds.

Qualified CSX Pension Plan

The Pension Plan, which has been closed to new employees as of January 1, 2020, is qualified under the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and covers the NEOs and all of CSX’s non-union employees. In general, pension benefits accrue in two different ways: (i) for employees externally hired or promoted from CSX stock fund.union positions on or after January 1, 2003, benefits accrue based on a “cash balance” formula; and (ii) for employees externally hired or promoted from CSX union positions before January 1, 2003, benefits accrue based on a “final average pay” formula. All NEOs participate in the “cash balance” formula except Mr. Lonegro, who is the only NEO under the “final average pay” formula. Further information on the Pension Plan can be found in the discussion following thePension Benefits Table.

Executive Deferred Compensation Plan:Cash Balance Formula (for employees hired on or after January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2019)

CSX maintains an elective nonqualified executive deferred compensation plan (“EDCP”) forNon-union employees who become eligible to participate in the benefitPension Plan on or after January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2019, earn pension benefits under the cash balance formula. These benefits are expressed in the form of its eligible executives and certain other employees. The purposea hypothetical account balance. For each month of service, the participant’s account is credited with a percentage of the EDCPparticipant’s pay for that month. The percentage of pay credited is to provide executives withdetermined based on the opportunity to:

defer compensation in excess of qualified plan limits until retirement or another specified date or event; and
defer compensation to allow them to receive the full Company matching contribution of 3.5% of base salary not otherwise available to them under the 401(k) plan.

The typesparticipant’s age and years of compensation eligible for deferral include base salary, short-term (annual) incentive compensationservice. Messrs. Foote, Boone, Boychuk, Goldman, and LTIP awards.Harris are covered under the Cash Balance Formula as described below.

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HealthCompensation Discussion and Welfare Benefits:Analysis   |   Benefits

CSX provides the same health and welfare benefits to the NEOs as those available to eligible management employees. The Company also provides basic life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (“AD&D”) insurance coverage to all management employees, each of which is equal to two times their respective annual salaries. Both life and AD&D benefits were capped at $1,000,000 effective January 1, 2006, but employees who already had coverage in excess of $1,000,000 retained the prior cap of $3,000,000. The Company also provides to the NEOs,hypothetical account earns interest credits on a monthly basis based on the same basisannual 10-year Treasury bond rate and the participant’s account balance as other management employees, salary continuance in the event of short-term or long-term disability, travel accident insurance and vacation based on length of service.

CSX sponsors a post-retirement health and welfare plan for management employees hired before January 1, 2003. The Company stopped providing post-retirement health and welfare benefits for management employees, including executive officers, hired on or after January 1, 2003, as a cost-saving measure.

Does the Company provide perquisites to its NEOs?

The perquisites provided to NEOs in 2016 included: (i) financial planning services up to $12,000; (ii) excess liability insurance; and (iii) an annual physical examination. These perquisites were valued at approximately $15,000 for each NEO.

Since Mr. Ward became CEO in 2003, he has been required to travel by Company aircraft at all times for security purposes and to ensure efficient use of his time. In 2016, the aggregate incremental cost to the Company of Mr. Ward’s Company-mandated personal aircraft usage was $63,650. The aggregate incremental cost to the Company for personal aircraft usage for each of the other NEOs did not exceed $7,500 in 2016.

Severance and Change-of-Control Agreements

Is there any special severance plan provided to the NEOs?

During 2016, senior management was covered under the Company’s policy generally available to all salaried employees whose positions are eliminated, pursuant to the terms of CSX’s severance plan, which pays benefits based upon years of service. The benefits ranged from one month of base pay (if one to three years of service has been attained) to one year of base pay (if at least 34 years of service has been attained).

In early 2017, in an effort to retain key members of senior management and ensure their critical focus on the Company’s strategic goals in light of changes in leadership, the Company adopted a one-year severance protection program for senior management (the “Section 16 Officer Severance Plan”). The Section 16 Officer Severance Plan provides eligible employees with severance payments and benefits in the event that such employee’s employment with the Company or one of its subsidiaries is terminated on or before February 22, 2018, involuntarily by the Company other than “for cause” or voluntarily by the eligible employee for “good reason.”

The severance payments that could be received by an eligible employee are as follows:

a lump sum cash payment equal to two times the employee’s then base salary;
a lump sum cash payment of one times the employee’s target bonus for the year of separation;
credit for an additional three years of age and two years of service for purposes of calculating the employee’s pension benefit; and
pro-rata vesting of the employee’s unvested equity awards with any performance-based awards remaining subject to satisfaction of pre-established performance goals.

Does the Company provide Change-of-Control Agreements to its NEOs?

Yes. At the end of 2016, each of the NEOs had a Change-of-Control Agreement thatprior month. The average annual interest crediting rate used for 2019 was designed to ensure management objectivity in the face of a potential transaction and further promote recruitment and retention of top executives. Since payment is “double-trigger” (i.e., payments are conditioned upon a change-of-control as well as separation from employment), executives are financially protected and thereby properly positioned to negotiate in the best interests of shareholders.

A detailed description of the Change-of-Control Agreements is set forth under the section entitled “Post-Termination and Change-of-Control Payments.”



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Are there limits on severance amounts paid to the NEOs pursuant to Change-of-Control Agreements?

Yes. The Company’s policy for severance benefits (the “Policy”): (i) requires a “double-trigger” to receive severance; (ii) prohibits Company reimbursement for the payment of excise taxes; (iii) defines “bonus” as the current “target” amount; and (iv) requires a contract term not to exceed three years. The Policy also provides that the payment of severance benefits, without shareholder approval, is limited to 2.99 times base salary plus bonus. The Policy is available on the Company’s website athttp://investors.csx.comunder the heading “Corporate Governance.” All of the NEOs’ Change-of-Control Agreements are in compliance with the Policy.

Does the Company have stock ownership guidelines for the NEOs?

Yes. CSX believes that, in order to align the interests of management with those of its shareholders, it is important that NEOs and other senior managers hold a meaningful ownership position in CSX common stock relative to their base salary. To achieve this linkage, CSX has established the following formal stock ownership guidelines.

PositionMinimum Value
Chief Executive Officer6 times base salary
President6 times base salary
Executive Vice Presidents4 times base salary
Senior Vice Presidents3 times base salary
Vice Presidents and Equivalent1 times base salary

Each of the individuals covered by these guidelines must retain 100% of their net shares issued until the guidelines are achieved and have five years in which to do so. As of December 30, 2016, all NEOs held amounts of CSX common stock in excess of these ownership guideline requirements.

In addition, as part of its stock ownership guidelines, the Company has adopted a one-year holding period for Senior Vice Presidents and above for the after-tax portion of restricted stock and RSUs following vesting. Accordingly, NEOs must wait one year after the completion of the restriction period before entering into any transaction involving such stock.

What are the accounting, tax and dilution considerations of CSX’s compensation programs?

As discussed above, a significant portion of each NEO’s Total Direct Compensation is performance-based. Section 162(m) of the Code imposes a $1 million limit on the amount that CSX may deduct for compensation paid to the NEOs. However, performance-based compensation paid under a plan that has been approved by shareholders is excluded from the $1 million limit if, among other requirements, the compensation is payable only if pre-established, objective performance goals are achieved and the Committee that establishes and certifies attainment of the goals consists only of outside directors.

While the tax effect of any compensation arrangement is a factor to be considered, the effect is evaluated by the Committee in light of CSX’s overall compensation philosophy and objectives. CSX’s compensation program for NEOs has both objective and discretionary elements. Generally, the Committee wishes to maximize CSX’s federal income tax deductions for compensation expense. Therefore, the Company has endeavored to structure the short-term and long-term performance-based incentive elements of executive compensation to meet the requirements for deductibility under Section 162(m) while retaining the ability to apply permissible negative discretion in determining the ultimate award payouts. Nonetheless, the Committee does not believe that compensation decisions should be unduly constrained by how much compensation is deductible for federal tax purposes. Accordingly, the Committee is not limited to paying compensation under plans that are qualified under Section 162(m) and the Committee’s ability to retain flexibility in this regard may, in certain circumstances, outweigh the advantages of qualifying all compensation as deductible under Section 162(m).

The Committee seeks to balance the tax, earnings and dilutive impact of executive compensation plans with the need to attract, retain and motivate highly-qualified executives.



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2016 Summary Compensation Table

TheSummary Compensation Tablepresents the amount and type of compensation for the NEOs in 2016.

NameYearSalary
($)
Bonus
($)
Stock
Awards(1)
($)
Option
Awards
($)
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(2)
($)
Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings(3)
($)
All Other
Compensation(4)
($)
Total
($)
Michael J. Ward(5)2016$1,200,000$6,317,982$2,316,907$2,059,200$1,563,377$122,638$13,580,104
Chairman and CEO2015$1,200,000$7,064,833$864,000$80,728$9,209,561
2014$1,200,000$6,962,613$1,843,200$62,276$10,068,089
Clarence W. Gooden(5)2016$700,000$1,754,999$643,584$1,001,000$438,531$56,509$4,594,623
President2015$665,720$2,406,455$373,432$49,362$3,494,969
2014$650,000$1,989,315$678,600$205,109$52,495$3,575,519
Frank A. Lonegro2016$500,000$1,520,986$386,150$643,500$484,797$31,825$3,567,258
Executive Vice President and CFO2015$365,518$706,112$173,072$27,056$18,064$1,289,822
2014
Fredrik J. Eliasson(5)2016$600,000$1,872,005$514,867$772,200$901,672$35,567$4,696,311
Executive Vice President and Chief Sales and2015$565,720$2,018,535$305,489$199,435$27,174$3,116,353
Marketing Officer2014$550,000$1,989,315$603,900$874,385$23,394$4,040,994
Cynthia M. Sanborn2016$550,000$1,872,005$514,867$807,850$1,113,588$35,976$4,894,286
Executive Vice President and COO2015$497,456$2,741,527$266,938$91,485$32,600$3,630,006
2014

(1)Stock Awards—Amounts disclosed in this column are related to LTIP performance units, RSUs and restricted stock granted in 2014, 2015 and 2016, and reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of such stock awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For performance units, the grant date fair value is based on the probable outcome of performance conditions at the time of grant. For more information and assumptions used in valuing these awards, see Note 4, Stock Plans and Share-Based Compensation in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed on February 14, 2017. If the highest level of performance under each LTIP cycle is achieved, the maximum grant date fair value of the performance units (which does not include stock options, RSUs or restricted stock) for each NEO by year of grant would be: 2016: Mr. Ward—$8,423,976, Mr. Gooden—$2,339,982, Mr. Lonegro—$1,403,980, Mr. Eliasson and Ms. Sanborn—$1,872,006; 2015: Mr. Ward—$10,597,268, Mr. Lonegro—$302,758, Messrs. Gooden and Eliasson—$3,027,802, and Ms. Sanborn—$2,270,832; and 2014: Mr. Ward—$10,443,920, Mr. Gooden—$3,609,735, and Mr. Eliasson—$2,983,986.
(2)Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation—The 2016 annual incentive compensation was paid in February 2017 based on a 143% payout of the 2016 MICP. Based upon her 2016 performance, Ms. Sanborn received a 163% payout.
(3)Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings—The values in this column reflect only changes in the actuarial present value of pension benefits as there were no above-market nonqualified deferred compensation earnings to report. The changes in values result from increases in each individual’s years of service, final average compensation calculation and age, revised mortality assumptions, as well as from a decrease in the pension discount rate from 4.30% to 4.08%3.13%. CSX measured its pension values as of December 31, 2016.


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(4)All Other Compensation—The values in this column include amounts for personal aircraft usage, financial planning services, physical examination, annual health care savings account contribution, excess liability insurance, and the Company’s match under the 401(k) and nonqualified deferred compensation plans. For Mr. Ward, this column includes, along with the items discussed above, costs associated with home security and Company-mandated aircraft usage with an aggregate incremental cost to the Company of $63,650. The personal aircraft usage amount was calculated using the direct hourly operating cost of $1,675 per flight hour for 2016 plus taxes. The aggregate incremental cost to the Company for the use of Company aircraft for personal travel is calculated by multiplying the hourly variable cost rate (including fuel, oil, airport and hangar fees, crew expenses, maintenance, catering and taxes) for the aircraft by the hours the executive used the aircraft. For these purposes, hours occupied by any “deadhead” aircraft legs are included in the total hours the aircraft was used by the executive.
(5)On February 14, 2017, Mr. Gooden resigned as President of the Company and assumed the title of Vice Chairman, and Mr. Eliasson was appointed President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of the Company, effective February 15, 2017. On March 6, 2017, (i) Mr. Ward resigned as Chairman and CEO, (ii) Mr. Gooden resigned as Vice Chairman and (iii) E. Hunter Harrison was appointed CEO, in each case, effective immediately. Mr. Ward and Mr. Gooden each assumed the title of consultant and will retire from the Company as of May 31, 2017. On April 19, 2017, Mr. Harrison assumed the role of President from Mr. Eliasson, who will continue to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of the Company.


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2016 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

TheGrants of Plan-Based Awards Tableis a supporting table to theSummary Compensation Table. In 2016, the NEOs received the plan-based awards as shown in the table below.

NameGrant DateEstimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards(1)
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity
Incentive Awards (# units)(2)
All Other
Stock
Awards(3)
(units)

All Other
Option(4)
Awards (#)

Exercise
Price of
Option
Awards ($)
Grant Date Fair
Value of Stock
and Option
Awards(5)
Threshold
($)
     Target
($)
     Maximum
($)
Threshold
(units)
     Target
(units)
     Maximum
(units)
Michael J. WardFebruary 10, 201617,455174,554349,108$4,211,988
February 10, 201687,277$2,105,994
February 10, 2016495,595$24.13$2,316,907
$432,000$1,440,000$3,000,000
Frank A. LonegroFebruary 10, 20162,90929,09258,184$701,990
February 10, 201614,546$350,995
February 10, 201619,395$468,001
February 10, 201682,599$24.13$386,150
$135,000$450,000$3,000,000
Clarence W. GoodenFebruary 10, 20164,84948,48796,974$1,169,991
February 10, 201624,244$585,008
February 10, 2016137,665$24.13$643,584
$210,000$700,000$3,000,000
Fredrik J. EliassonFebruary 10, 20163,87938,79077,580$936,003
February 10, 201619,395$468,001
February 10, 201619,395$468,001
February 10, 2016110,132$24.13$514,867
$162,000$540,000$3,000,000
Cynthia M. SanbornFebruary 10, 20163,87938,79077,580$936,003
February 10, 201619,395$468,001
February 10, 201619,395$468,001
February 10, 2016110,132$24.13$514,867
$148,500$495,000$3,000,000

(1)Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards—The amounts in these columns reflect what the payments could have been for 2016 under the SEIP as typically administered by the Committee using the Target Incentive Opportunities and Company performance measures under the MICP. The values reflect a threshold payout of 30%, a target payout of 100% and a maximum payout that cannot exceed the lesser of 0.3% of Operating Income for the CEO and 0.2% of Operating Income for each covered NEO or $3 million under the shareholder approved SEIP. At the Committee’s discretion, payouts can be zero. The actual payments for 2016 are shown in the Summary Compensation Table.
(2)

Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Programs—The values in these columns reflect the potential payout in shares under the 2016-2018 LTIP cycle based on pre-established financial performance and strategic goals. The Company’s performance will determine a payout of shares that can range from 0% to 200% of theLTIP grants. The values reflect payouts of 10% at threshold, 100% at target and 200% at maximum. The 10% threshold payout assumes that only one financial performance measure were to reach the threshold performance level. If both financial performance measures were to reach the threshold performance level, the resulting payout would be 20%.



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(3)All Other Stock Awards—The value in this column reflects the number of RSUs and Restricted Stock granted in 2016.
(4)All Other Option Awards—The value in this column reflects the number of nonqualified stock options granted on February 10, 2016, which vest and become exercisable February 10, 2019. The options were granted with an exercise price equal to the closing stock price on the date of grant of $24.13.
(5)Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards—The values in this column reflect the grant date fair value of performance units (based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions, which is the target number); RSUs, restricted stock and stock options granted in 2016, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

2016 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

The table below presents information pertaining to all outstanding equity awards held by the NEOs as of December 30, 2016. Stock awards are comprised of outstanding restricted stock, RSUs and performance units.

OptionsStock Awards
NameNumber of
Securities
Underlying
Exercisable
Options
(#)
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercisable
Options
(#)
Option
Exercise
Price
Option
Expiration
Date
Number of Shares
or Units of Stock
That Have Not
Vested(1)
(#)
Market Value of
Shares or Units
of Stock That
Have Not Vested(2)
($)
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards: Number of
Unearned Shares,
Units or Other
Rights That Have
Not Vested(3)
(#)
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards: Market or
Payout Value of
Unearned Shares,
Units or Other
Rights That Have
Not Vested(4)
($)
Michael J. Ward495,595$24.1302/10/26198,742$7,140,800496,538$17,840,610
Clarence W. Gooden137,665$24.1302/10/2656,091$2,015,350139,097$4,997,755
Frank A. Lonegro82,599$24.1302/10/2637,126$1,333,93762,396$2,241,888
Fredrik J. Eliasson110,132$24.1302/10/2691,986$3,305,057119,703$4,300,929
Cynthia M. Sanborn110,332$24.1302/10/2651,992$1,868,073109,172$3,922,550

(1)Number of Shares or Units That Have Not Vested—The units reflected in this column represent RSUs granted in May 2014 and February 2015 and 2016 that will vest in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively, assuming continued employment. In addition, this column includes 21,349 shares of restricted stock for Mr. Eliasson that will vest in May 2018, and 19,395 shares of restricted stock for each of Messrs. Lonegro and Eliasson, and Ms. Sanborn that will vest in February 2021.

Grant DateMay 6, 2014February 11, 2015February 10, 2016
Vest DateMay 5, 2017February 10, 2018February 10, 2019Total Unvested RSUs
Michael J. Ward62,32249,14387,277198,742
Clarence W. Gooden17,80614,04124,24456,091
Frank A. Lonegro1,7811,40414,54617,731
Fredrik J. Eliasson17,80614,04119,39551,242
Cynthia M. Sanborn2,67110,53119,39532,597

(2)Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested—The market values are based on the Company’s closing stock price as of December 30, 2016 of $35.93.
(3)Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested—In accordance with the SEC requirements for this table, the number of shares shown in the column above represents the sum of the performance units that would be payable under the 2015-2017 and 2016-2018 LTIP cycles if the Company’s cumulative performance through 2016 was applied to each plan’s performance measures. The Company’s 2016 performance would have resulted in a 45% payout for the 2015-2017 cycle and 141% for the 2016-2018 cycle. The SEC requires that projected payouts be shown at the next higher performance measure; therefore, the number of performance units shown is equal to the target payout for the 2015-2017 cycle (100%) and the maximum payout for the 2016-2018 cycle (200%).
(4)Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested—The market values are based on the Company’s closing stock price as of December 30, 2016 of $35.93.


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2016 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

The table below presents the value of options, restricted stock and RSUs that vested in 2016.

NameOption AwardsStock Awards
Shares Acquired
on Exercise
(#)
Value Realized
on Exercise
($)
Shares Acquired
on Vesting(1)
(#)
Value Realized
on Vesting(2)
($)
Michael J. Ward202,338$5,954,757
Clarence W. Gooden86,466$2,502,283
Frank A. Lonegro9,485$326,920
Fredrik J. Eliasson39,511$1,228,305
Cynthia M. Sanborn34,088$978,314

(1)Shares Acquired on Vesting—Shares acquired through stock awards include: (i) restricted stock units that vested in May 2016; (ii) performance units that were paid out pursuant to the 2014-2016 LTIP cycle; and (iii) restricted stock that vested in 2016 for Ms. Sanborn.
(2)Value Realized on Vesting—The values in this column reflect: (i) the aggregate number of restricted stock and restricted stock units that vested in 2016 multiplied by the closing price of CSX stock on the vesting date and (ii) the number of performance units paid out pursuant to the 2014-2016 LTIP cycle multiplied by $36.88, the closing price on the date of payment.


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Pension Benefits Table

As reflected by the Pension Benefits Table, and as described below, CSX maintains defined benefit plans (qualified and nonqualified) under which the NEOs are eligible for benefits including: the Pension Plan and the Special Retirement Plan.

NamePlan NameNumber of Years
Credited Service
(#)
Present Value of
Accumulated Benefit
($)
Payments During
Last Fiscal Year
($)
Michael J. Ward(1)Qualified CSX Pension Plan39.583$1,932,034
Nonqualified Special Retirement Plan44.000$21,214,178
Clarence W. GoodenQualified CSX Pension Plan45.083$2,214,561
Nonqualified Special Retirement Plan45.083$7,671,529
Frank A. LonegroQualified CSX Pension Plan16.583$562,896
Nonqualified Special Retirement Plan16.583$953,959
Fredrik J. EliassonQualified CSX Pension Plan21.583$732,179
Nonqualified Special Retirement Plan21.583$2,399,089
Cynthia M. SanbornQualified CSX Pension Plan28.000$1,096,514
Nonqualified Special Retirement Plan28.000$2,626,889

(1)Nonqualified Special Retirement Plan—Mr. Ward’s credited service under the Special Retirement Plan is 44 years, including additional years of service credited in accordance with the Special Retirement Plan (see section entitled “Special Retirement Plan of CSX and Affiliated Corporations—Additional Service Credit”); his actual years of service are 39.58 years. The present value of his accumulated benefit under the Special Retirement Plan that is attributable to his credited years of service above his actual years of service is $2,968,599. Note that Mr. Ward stopped receiving accruals of extra years of service in 2006.

Qualified CSX Pension Plan

Final Average Pay Formula

For employees hired before January 1, 2003, the final average pay formula provides for a benefit, in the form of a life annuity starting at age 65. The pay taken into account under the final average pay formula includes base salary and annual incentive payments for the employee’s highest consecutive 60-month period. The benefit is equal to 1.5% of the employee’s final average pay multiplied by the employee’s years of service. This amount is then reduced by 40% of the employee’s Social Security benefits or 60% of the employee’s Railroad Retirement benefits, or both, as applicable. All of CSX’s NEOs were hired before January 1, 2003, and as such, are eligible for benefits based on the final average pay formula.

The resulting benefit is subject to a cap imposed under Code Section 415 of the Code (the “415 Limit”). The 415 Limit for 2016 is $210,0002019 was $225,000 (for a life annuity at age 65) and is subject to adjustment for future cost of living changes. Further, under the Code, the maximum amount of pay that may be taken into account for any year is limited. This limit (the “Compensation Limit”) is $265,000$280,000 for 20162019 and is also subject to adjustment for future cost of living changes.



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Transfer BenefitsVestingThe Pension Plan provides an enhancement to the pension benefits of those participants who transfer from a position covered by Railroad Retirement to a position covered by Social Security before January 1, 2015. This enhancement is to make up for any retirement benefit lost due to discontinuance of Railroad Retirement service.

VestingBenefits under the Pension Plan’s final average paythis formula vest upon the earlier of the completion of fivethree years of service or attainment of age 65.

Early Retirement—The Pension Plan final average pay formula has a normal retirement age of 65. However, employees with 10 years of service may retire as early as age 55, but with a reduction from full benefits to reflect early commencement of the benefit prior to age 65. If an active participant reaches age 55 with 10 years of service, the reduction for early retirement is 1/360thof the pension benefit for each month the benefit commences prior to age 60 (rather than age 65).

Form of Payment of Benefits—Benefits under the Pension Plan’s final average paythis formula are payablemay be paid upon termination of employment or retirement as a lump sum or in various annuity forms at retirement.forms. The valuation method and actuarial factors used to determine the present value of accumulated benefits shown in the table are described in CSX’s 2016the 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.Report.

Special Retirement Plan of CSX and Affiliated Corporations

The Special Retirement Plan is a nonqualifiednon-qualified plan that generally covers CSX executives,employees, including the NEOs, whose compensation exceeds the Compensation Limit. The purpose of the Special Retirement Planwho were hired before January 1, 2020 and is now closed to assist CSX in attracting and retaining key executives by allowing the Company to offer competitive pension benefits on the basis described below.

Benefits

new employees. The Special Retirement Plan formula replicates the qualified plan formula but provides for the payment of benefits that would otherwise not be deniedavailable under the Pension Plan due to the 415 Limit and the Compensation Limit, both described above.

Additional Service Credit

The Special Retirement Plan previously provided additional service credit to executives where it is necessary to do so in order to provide competitive retirement benefits. Mr. Ward was covered by the Special Retirement Plan’s additional service crediting provisions since September 2, 1995. Pursuant to the Special Retirement Plan’s applicable service crediting rules, an eligible executive was credited with one additional year of service for each actual year of service worked beginning no earlier than age 45 and continuing until age 65. Total service cannot exceed a maximum of 44 years, unless actual service exceeds 44 years. Mr. Ward attained the maximum level of creditable service under this provision. The additional two-for-one service credits were awarded in the mid-1990’s under a plan provision that is no longer utilized for new participants.



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Executive-Specific Benefits

The Special Retirement Plan allows for the payment of individually negotiated nonqualified pension benefits. Mr. Ward was the only NEO that has such benefits. Mr. Ward’s benefit ensures that any shortfall that may arise under the transfer benefit (from Railroad Retirement to Social Security) will be paid under the Special Retirement Plan.

Form of Payment of Benefits; Certain Forfeiture Provisions

Under the termspurpose of the Special Retirement Plan nonqualifiedis to assist CSX in retaining key executives by allowing the Company to offer competitive pension benefits.

Under the Special Retirement Plan, participants receive non-qualified pension benefits on base salary and short-term incentive compensation that exceed the $280,000 compensation limit under the Code and the $225,000 benefit cap under Section 415 of the Code. These benefits are calculated using the applicable pension formula, which is the Cash Balance Formula for all NEOs, other than Mr. Lonegro whose benefit is calculated under the Final Average Pay Formula as described in the footnote to the2019 Pension Benefits Table,in each case without regard to the 415 Limit or the Compensation Limit.

Non-qualified pension benefits can be paid in the same form as under the Pension Plan, except that Mr. Ward was permitted and elected to receive his Special Retirement Plan pension benefits in the form of a lump sum.Plan. Pension benefits under the Special Retirement Plan are subject to: (i) suspension and possible forfeiture if a retired executive competes with the Company or engages in acts detrimental to the Company; or (ii) forfeiture if an executive is terminated for engaging in acts detrimental to the Company.

Under the current terms of the Special Retirement Plan, unless an employee has elected otherwise, within 45 days after a change-of-control, the employee is entitled to a lump sum payment equal to the actuarial present value of his or her accrued benefit under the Special Retirement Plan. The valuation method and actuarial factors used to determine the present value of accumulated benefits shown in the 2019Pension Benefits Tablefor the Special Retirement Plan are described in CSX’s 2016the 2019 Annual ReportReport.

Health and Group Benefits

CSX provides the same health and group benefits to the NEOs as those available to all non-union employees. The Company also provides basic life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance coverage to all management employees, each of which is equal to two times their respective annual salaries, up to $1 million. The Company also provides NEOs, on Form 10-K.the same basis as other management employees, salary continuance in the event of short-term or long-term disability, travel accident insurance and vacation based on length of service.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table

CSX sponsors a post-retirement medical plan for management employees hired or promoted from a union position prior to January 1, 2003. The Company stopped providing post-retirement medical benefits for all management employees, including executive-level employees, hired or promoted from a union position on or after that date.

The NonqualifiedExecutive Deferred Compensation TablePlanpresents

CSX offers a summary of 2016 contributions made under thevoluntary, non-qualified Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (“EDCP”), CSX’s current executive nonqualified deferral program, as well as 2016 earnings, distributions for the benefit of its executives and year-end balances. Two typesother eligible employees. Under the EDCP, the NEOs may defer compensation in excess of deferrals are represented below: cash deferrals and stock deferrals. Cash deferrals include deferred portions of an NEO’squalified plan limits until retirement or another specified date or event.

For those with base salary and short-term incentive payments. Stock deferrals include deferred portionsabove the qualified plan limits, they may defer compensation to allow them to receive the full Company matching contribution of compensation payable inup to 3.5% of base salary not otherwise available to them under the form of CSX common stock.

NameExecutive
Contributions
Last Fiscal Year(1)
($)
Registrant
Contributions
Last Fiscal Year(2)
($)
Aggregate
Earnings
Last Fiscal Year(3)
($)
Aggregate
Distributions
Last Fiscal Year(4)
($)
Aggregate
Balance Last
Fiscal Year
($)
Michael J. Ward$56,100$32,725$4,336,436$286,058$15,314,996
Clarence W. Gooden$26,100$15,225$49,288-$561,952
Frank A. Lonegro$25,000$8,225$74,449-$462,930
Fredrik J. Eliasson$20,100$11,725$1,739$28,020$59,400
Cynthia M. Sanborn$17,100$9,975$465,131-$1,659,260

(1)Executive Contributions Last Fiscal Year—Executive contributions in 2016 under the EDCP are also reported in the Salary column of the Summary Compensation Table.
(2)Registrant Contributions Last Fiscal Year—Company contributions in 2016 are also reported in the All Other Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table.
(3)Aggregate Earnings Last Fiscal Year—Earnings on cash deferrals include the total gains and losses credited in 2016 based on the hypothetical investment of those amounts in the manner described below. Earnings on stock deferrals reflect the difference between the closing stock price at the end of 2015 and 2016, plus any dividends credited in 2016.
(4)Aggregate Distributions Last Fiscal Year—Mr. Ward’s distribution is dividends credited in 2016 on deferred stock balances that were paid out in the form of cash and Mr. Eliasson’s distribution was a scheduled distribution according to his election at the time of deferral.


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Eligible DeferralsCSXtra Plan.

Under the EDCP, participantsNEOs are entitled to voluntarily elect to defer up to: (i) 75% of base pay; (ii) 100% of awards payable in cash under CSX’s short-term incentive compensation plans; and (iii) 100% of performance units payable under the Company’s LTIP in the form of stock. ParticipantsNEOs also are entitled to receive matching contributions that would have been received under CSX’s 401(k) plan assuming that: (i) certain compensation limits prescribed by the Code limits did not apply; and (ii) contributions made under the EDCP were instead made under CSX’s 401(k) plan.

Investment48       CSX Corporation 2020 Proxy Statement


Table of Deferred AmountsContents

Compensation Discussion and Analysis   |   Stock Ownership Guidelines

In accordance with a participant’s individual elections, deferred amounts, other than stock awards, are treated as if they were invested among the investment funds available under the qualified 401(k) plan. Participants may elect to change the investment of deferred amounts, other than deferred stock awards.

Timing and Form of Payments

EDCP participants may elect to receive payment of their deferred amounts, including earnings, upon separation from service, the attainment of a specified date or upon a change-of-control. Participants may elect to receive payment in the form of a lump sum or in semi-annual installments over a numberperiod of years not in excess ofup to 20 years.

A participant may apply for accelerated payment of deferred amounts in the event of certain hardships and unforeseeable emergencies. A participant also may elect to receive accelerated distribution of amounts deferred before January 1, 2005 (and earnings thereon) other than for hardship or an unforeseeable emergency, but the participant is required to forfeit a percentage of the amount to be distributed. Under the EDCP, cash deferrals are distributed in the form of cash and deferred stock awards are paid in the form of CSX common stock.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The CSX Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) provides eligible employees the right to purchase shares of CSX common stock in accordance with the terms of the ESPP. All employees who have been employed by the Company at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the enrollment period are eligible to participate in the ESPP.

Under the ESPP, employees may purchase shares at the lesser of: (i) 85% of the fair market value of a share of CSX common stock on the first day of an offering; or (ii) 85% of the fair market value of a share of CSX common stock on the last day of an offering. There are two offering periods each year. The ESPP limits the number of shares of CSX common stock that an employee may purchase in a calendar year to a number of shares that have a fair value (as of the applicable grant date) equal to $25,000.

Other Benefits

The perquisites provided to NEOs in 2019 included: (i) financial planning services of $12,000; (ii) excess liability insurance; and (iii) an annual health and well-being examination. These perquisites were valued at approximately $15,000 for each NEO.

Additionally, pursuant to Company policy, Mr. Foote, as CEO, is required to travel by Company aircraft at all times for security purposes and to ensure efficient use of his time. Other senior-level executives have access to the Company aircraft and may use it on a limited basis for personal reasons. The amounts related to the NEO’s use of the Company aircraft are disclosed in theSummary Compensation Table.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

CSX believes that, in order to align the interests of management with those of its shareholders, it is important that NEOs and other senior leaders hold a significant ownership position in CSX common stock relative to their base salary. To achieve this linkage, CSX has established the following formal stock ownership guidelines. Each of the individuals covered by these guidelines must retain 100% of their net shares issued until the guidelines are achieved and have five years in which to do so. The types of equity that apply towards these ownership guidelines are vested and unvested restricted stock units, vested performance units, and any other CSX common stock owned.

PositionMinimum Value
Chief Executive Officer6 times base salary
Executive Vice Presidents4 times base salary
Senior Vice Presidents3 times base salary
Vice Presidents1 times base salary

Policy Against Hedging / Pledging of CSX Stock

CSX’s insider trading policy prohibits officers and directors from entering into transactions to hedge their ownership positions in CSX securities. In addition, the policy prohibits officers and directors from pledging CSX securities.

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Post-Termination and Change-of-Control Payments

Do NEOs participate in a severance plan?

Yes. In early 2017, in an effort to retain key members of senior managementCompensation Discussion and ensure their critical focus on the Company’s strategic goals in light of changes in leadership, the Company adopted a one-year severance protection program for senior management (the “Section 16 Officer Severance Plan”). The Section 16 Officer Severance Plan provides eligible employees with severance payments and benefits in the event that such employee’s employment with the Company or one of its subsidiaries is terminated on or before February 22, 2018, involuntarily by the Company other than “for cause” or voluntarily by the eligible employee for “good reason.”

The severance payments that could be received by an eligible employee are as follows;

Analysis(5)a lump sum cash payment equal to two times the employee’s then base salary;   |   2019 Summary Compensation Table

(6)a lump sum cash payment of one times the employee’s target bonus for the year of separation;

(7)credit for an additional three years of age and two years of service for purposes of calculating the employee’s pension benefit; and

(8)pro-rata vesting of the employee’s unvested equity awards with any performance-based awards remaining subject to satisfaction of pre-established performance goals.2019 Summary Compensation Table

The potential benefits under this one-year plan will be quantified in CSX’s 2018 annual proxy statementSummary Compensation Table presents the amount and type of compensation for the NEOs who are included in that proxy statement.2019.

Name  Year  Salary  Bonus(3)  Stock
Awards(4)
  Option
Awards(5)
   Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(6)
  Change
in Pension
Value and
Non-qualified
Deferred
 Compensation
Earnings(7)
  All Other
Compensation(8)
  Total
James M. Foote2019$1,250,000$6,096,711$3,993,136           $3,425,391         $534,271           $228,024$15,527,533
President and Chief2018$1,220,833$5,310,204$3,524,190$3,052,083$441,428$221,863$13,770,601
Executive Officer2017$149,919$400,000$1,027,812$1,045,626$8,849$15,355$2,647,561
Kevin S. Boone(1)2019$399,928$961,288$1,481,381$599,756$78,450$27,956$3,548,759
Executive Vice President2018
and Chief Financial Officer2017
Frank A. Lonegro(2)2019$218,542$203,249$110,930$310,766$2,998,688$1,571,746$5,413,921
Former Executive Vice2018$500,000$1,180,057 $783,158$900,000$357,103$20,741$3,741,059
President and Chief2017$500,000$1,950,165 $743,772$715,500$869,559$34,684$4,813,680
Financial Officer
Nathan D. Goldman2019$500,000$1,219,356 $2,001,314$711,000$172,086$33,600$4,637,356
Executive Vice President2018$500,000$1,180,057 $783,158$900,000$182,544$36,523$3,582,282
– Chief Legal Officer and2017
Corporate Secretary
Jamie J. Boychuk(1)2019$392,696$966,788$1,686,335$645,054$81,938$23,885$3,796,696
Executive Vice President –2018
Operations, CSXT2017
Edmond L. Harris2019$600,000$1,219,356$798,634$853,200$163,735$73,237$3,708,162
Executive Vice2018$589,130$250,000$2,824,310 $1,455,954$1,060,435$179,196$154,621$6,513,646
President – CSX2017
(1)

Messrs. Boone and Boychuk were promoted to their positions effective October 2, 2019.

(2)

Mr. Lonegro separated from his position effective May 28, 2019. On June 4, 2019, the Company entered into a separation agreement with Mr. Lonegro. The separation agreement provides that Mr. Lonegro will receive benefits, consisting of: (i) a lump sum cash payment equal to twenty-four months of his base salary and twelve months of target level incentive opportunity; (ii) pro-rata vesting of his unvested equity awards, with any performance-based awards remaining subject to satisfaction of pre-established performance goals; and (iii) pension service for the 24-month period corresponding to the period of salary provided, plus the ability to take an unreduced pension three years early. These pension benefits are consistent with the benefits provided under the Company’s senior officer severance plan. The Company allowed this plan to expire in February 2019, but extended the benefits of the plan to Mr. Lonegro given the timing of the transition of his role to allow for optimal execution of the Company’s gradual management changeover, which was concluded with the transition of Mr. Lonegro’s role.

(3)

Bonus – The amounts included in this column represent the cash sign-on bonuses in 2018 for Mr. Harris and in 2017 for Mr. Foote.

(4)

Stock Awards – Amounts disclosed in this column are related to LTIP performance units, RSUs and restricted stock granted in 2017, 2018 and 2019, and reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of such stock awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For performance units, the grant date fair value is based on the probable outcome of performance conditions at the time of grant. For more information and assumptions used in valuing these awards, see Note 4, Stock Plans and Share-Based Compensation in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2019 Annual Report, which was filed with the SEC on February 12, 2020. If the highest level of performance under each LTIP cycle is achieved, the maximum grant date fair value of the performance units (which does not include stock options, RSUs or restricted stock) for each NEO by year of grant would be: 2019: Mr. Foote - $12,193,421, Mr. Boone - $1,922,577, Mr. Lonegro - $406,497, Mr. Boychuk - $1,933,577, Messrs. Harris and Goldman - $2,438,711; 2018: Mr. Foote - $10,620,408, Messrs. Harris and Goldman - $2,360,115, Mr. Lonegro - $1,180,057, Mr. Boone - $209,898, Mr. Boychuk - $272,705; 2017: Mr. Foote’s sign-on equity grant - $2,055,624, Mr. Lonegro - $2,166,807, Mr. Goldman $260,048.

(5)

Option Awards – The values included in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of non-qualified stock options granted to each NEO computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For more information and assumptions used in valuing these awards, see Note 4, Stock Plans and Share-Based Compensation in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2019 Annual Report, which was filed with the SEC on February 12, 2020.

(6)

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation – The 2019 short-term incentive compensation (MICP) was paid on February 21, 2020 based on a 158% Company payout of the 2019 MICP with some payouts modified for individual performance as approved by the Committee.

(7)

Change in Pension Value and Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings – The values in this column reflect aggregate changes in the actuarial present value of pension benefits. The changes in values result from increases in each individual’s years of service, pay and, revised mortality assumptions, as well as from a decrease in the pension discount rate from 4.24% to 3.13%. CSX measured its pension values as of December 31, 2019.

(8)

All Other Compensation – The values in this column include amounts for personal usage of Company aircraft, financial planning/tax preparation services, executive physical, annual health savings account contribution associated with participation in the medical plan, excess liability insurance and the Company’s match under the 401(k) and non-qualified deferred compensation plans. For Mr. Foote, this column includes, along with the items discussed above, $169,520 for Company-mandated aircraft usage, as described in the CD&A, and a $33,819 non-qualified deferred contribution Company match. For Mr. Lonegro, this column includes, along with the items discussed above, a payment of $1,522,500 under his separation agreement as outlined in footnote (2), and an accrued vacation payment of $20,192.

50       CSX Corporation 2020 Proxy Statement


Table of Contents

During 2016, the Company covered its NEOs under the same severance plan available to all employeesCompensation Discussion and did not generally provide for any special terminationAnalysis   |   2019 Grants of employment payments or benefits that favored the NEOs.Plan-Based Awards Table

Do2019 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

In 2019, the NEOs participate in Change-of-Control Agreements?

Yes. Eachreceived grants of the NEOs participatesplan-based awards as shown in a Change-of-Control Agreement providing “double-trigger” benefits (i.e., payments are conditioned upon a change-of-control as well as separation from employment) with a three-year term ending in 2020 unless renewed. Pursuant to their previously announced retirements and their ability to remain eligible for vesting in certain previously granted awards through May 2018, Messrs. Ward and Gooden agreed to cancel their respective Change-of-Control Agreements on February 22, 2017.

How is change-of-control defined?

Under the agreements described below, a “change-of-control” generally includes any of the following:table below.

Estimated Possible Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(1)
Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive
Awards (# units)(2)
All
Other
Stock
Awards
(units)(3)
  All
Other
Option
Awards
(#)(4)
  Exercise
Price of
Option
Awards
($)
  Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards
($)(5)
Name  Grant Date  Threshold
($)
  Target
($)
  Maximum
($)
  Threshold
(units)
  Target
(units)
  Maximum
(units)
  
James M. FooteFeb. 6, 20198,95489,539179,078$6,096,711
Feb. 6, 2019228,833     $68.09$3,993,136
     $43,359$1,734,375$3,468,750  
Kevin S. BooneFeb. 6, 20191671,6713,342501$961,288
Feb. 6, 20194,485$68.09$78,263
Nov. 1, 20191,17311,72723,454
Dec. 4, 201982,169$70.45$1,403,118
$7,592$303,674$607,348
Frank A.Feb. 6, 20192992,9855,970$203,249
LonegroFeb. 6, 20196,357$68.09$110,930
$4,917$196,688$393,375
Nathan D.Feb. 6, 20191,79117,90835,816$1,219,356
GoldmanFeb. 6, 201945,767$68.09$798,634
Dec. 4, 201970,431$70.45$1,202,680
$11,250$450,000$900,000
Jamie J.Feb. 6, 20192022,0154,030604$966,788
BoychukFeb. 6, 20195,406$68.09$94,335
Apr. 17, 201980,000$78.94$1,592,000
Nov. 1, 20191,14811,47922,958
$8,165$326,609$653,219
Edmond L.Feb. 6, 20191,79117,90835,816$1,219,356
HarrisFeb. 6, 201945,767$68.09$798,634
$13,500$540,000$1,080,000
(1)

Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards – The amounts in these columns reflect what the acquisitionpayments could have been for 2019 under the MICP using the Target Incentive Opportunities for each NEO. The values reflect a threshold payout of beneficial ownership10%, a target payout of 20% or more100% and a maximum payout of CSX’s outstanding common stock or200% if the combined voting power of CSX’s outstanding voting stock by an individual or group as defined under applicable SEC rules;
Company performance measures payout at these levels.

(2)if individuals, who as

Estimated Future Payout Under Equity Incentive Plan Programs – The values in these columns reflect the potential payout in shares under the 2019-2021 LTIP cycle based on pre-established financial performance goals. The Company’s performance will determine a payout of shares that can range from 0% to 200% of the dateLTIP performance unit grants. The values reflect payouts of 10% at threshold, 100% at target and 200% at maximum. The 10% threshold assumes that only one financial performance measure met the Change-of-Control Agreement, constitutethreshold performance level. If both financial performance measures reach threshold performance level, the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) ceaseresulting payout would be 20%. Messrs. Boone and Boychuk became executive officers of CSX in October 2019. Their annual equity grants, made in February, reflected CSX practices for any reason to constitute at least a majoritynon-officer executives. In recognition of their promotions and becoming executive officers of CSX, each received supplemental equity grants of performance stock units later in the Board;year.

(3)

All Other Stock Awards – The value in this column reflects the number of RSUs granted in 2019. Messrs. Boone and Boychuk became executive officers of CSX in October 2019. Their annual equity grants, made in February, reflected CSX practices for non-officer executives.

(4)

All Other Option Awards – The value provided however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to such date whose election or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contestMr. Boychuk with respect to the election or removalnon-qualified stock options granted to him on April 17, 2019, represents the number of directors ornon-qualified stock options granted as part of a retention award, which vest and become exercisable on April 17, 2022. The options granted to Mr. Boychuk on April 17, 2019, were granted with an exercise price equal to the closing price on the date of grant of $78.94. The values provided for Messrs. Boone and Goldman with respect to the non-qualified stock options granted on December 4, 2019, represents the number of non-qualified stock options granted as part of a retention award, which vest and become exercisable on December 4, 2022. The options granted to Messrs. Boone and Goldman on December 4, 2019, were granted with an exercise price equal to the closing price on the date of grant of $70.45. For all other actual or threatened solicitationNEOs, the amount in this column represents the number of proxies or consents by ornon-qualified stock options granted on behalfFebruary 6, 2019, which vest and become exercisable on a three-year graded schedule. One third of these options will become exercisable on February 6, 2020, February 6, 2021 and February 6, 2022. These options were granted with an individual, entity or group (as defined under applicable SEC rules);
exercise price equal to the closing stock price on the date of grant of $68.09.

(5)a business combination (such as a merger, consolidation or disposition

Grant Date Fair Value of substantially allStock and Option Awards – The values in this column reflect the grant date fair value of performance units (based on the probable outcome of the assetsperformance conditions, which is the target number); RSUs, restricted stock and non-qualified stock options granted in 2019, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis   |   2019 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

2019 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

The table below presents information pertaining to all outstanding equity awards held by the NEOs as of December 31, 2019. Stock awards are comprised of outstanding performance units, non-qualified stock options, and RSUs.

Option AwardsStock Awards
NameNumber of
Securities
Underlying
Exercisable
Options
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercisable
Options
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
Option
Expiration
Date
Number
of Shares
or Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested(1)
Market
Value of
Shares
or Units
of Stock
That Have
Not Vested
($)(2)
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested(3)
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other Rights
That Have
Not Vested
($)(4)
James M. Foote          76,040     52.92     10/25/27               376,410           $27,237,028
242,22953.8202/06/28
228,83368.0902/06/29
Kevin S. Boone5,32352.7810/01/276,019  $435,53530,696$2,221,163
5,02853.8202/06/28
4,48568.0902/06/29
82,16970.4512/04/29
Frank A. Lonegro47,77948.3902/10/2624,075$1,742,06727,896$2,018,555
25,41953.8202/22/27
6,35768.0902/06/28
Nathan D. Goldman38,24124.9912/08/251,343$97,17979,668$5,764,776
11,01324.1302/10/26
5,93148.3902/22/27
53,82953.8202/06/28
45,76768.0902/06/29
70,43170.4512/04/29
Jamie J. Boychuk4,08753.9605/26/279,738$704,6428,608$622,875
4,28653.8202/06/28
5,40668.0902/06/29
80,00078.9404/17/29
Edmond L. Harris53,65258.4801/10/2823,074$1,669,63579,668$5,764,776
53,82953.8202/06/28
45,76768.0902/06/29
(1)Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested – The units reflected in this column represent RSUs granted in February 2017, 2018 and 2019 that will vest in 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively, assuming continued employment. This column also includes 2,089 shares of restricted stock awarded to Mr. Boychuk in May 2017 that will vest in May 2020; 569 shares of restricted stock awarded to Mr. Boone in October 2017 that will vest in October 2020; 23,074 shares of RSUs awarded to Mr. Harris in August 2018 that will vest in August 2021; and 6,546 and 4,364 shares of restricted stock awarded to Messrs. Boychuk and Boone, respectively, in September 2018 that will vest in September 2021.
(2)Market value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested – The market values are based on the Company’s closing stock price as of December 31, 2019, the last trading day of 2019, of $72.36.
(3)Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested – In accordance with the SEC requirements for this table, the number of shares shown in the column above represents the sum of the performance units that would be payable under the 2018-2020 and 2019-2021 LTIPs if the Company’s cumulative performance through 2019 was applied to each plan’s performance measures. The Company’s performance through 2019 would have resulted in a 200% payout for the 2018-2020 LTIP and 200% for the 2019-2021 LTIP, even though these cycles are not yet complete. The number of performance units shown is equal to the maximum payout for the 2018-2020 and 2019-2021 LTIP cycles.
(4)Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested – The market values are based on the Company’s closing stock price as of December 31, 2019, the last trading day of 2019, of $72.36.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis   |   2019 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

2019 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

The table below presents the value of performance units, non-qualified stock options, RSUs and restricted stock that vested in 2019.

Option AwardsStock Awards
Name     Shares Acquired
on Exercise(1)
     Value Realized
on Exercise(2)
     Shares Acquired
on Vesting(3)
     Value Realized
on Vesting(4)
James M. Foote
Kevin S. Boone
Frank A. Lonegro82,5993,797,49359,324$4,421,077
Nathan D. Goldman31,047$2,365,939
Jamie J. Boychuk
Edmond L. Harris
(1)Shares Acquired on Exercise – Shares acquired on exercise include non-qualified stock options exercised on July 18, 2019 by Mr. Lonegro.
(2)Value Realized on Exercise – The values in this column reflect the number of non-qualified stock options exercised by Mr. Lonegro on July 18, 2019, multiplied by the difference between the grant’s exercise price of $24.13 on February 10, 2016, and the closing stock price on July 18, 2019 of $70.11.
(3)Shares Acquired on Vesting – Shares acquired through stock awards include: (i) performance units that were paid out pursuant to the 2017-2019 LTIP; (ii) RSUs that vested in February 2019 pursuant to the 2016-2018 LTIP; and (iii) restricted stock that vested for Mr. Goldman on May 13, 2019, as part of his 2016 retention award. Messrs. Foote, Boone, Boychuk and Harris did not receive awards under the 2016 – 2018 LTIP or the 2017-2019 LTIP, as they were not employed with CSX at the time of grant.
(4)Value Realized on Vesting – The values in this column reflect: (i) the number of performance units paid out pursuant to the 2017-2019 LTIP cycle multiplied by $76.40, the closing stock price on January 17, 2020; and (ii) the aggregate number of restricted stock and RSUs that vested in 2019 multiplied by the closing price of CSX or its principal subsidiary), excluding business combinations that will not result in a changecommon stock on the applicable vesting date.

2019 Pension Benefits Table

As described below, CSX maintains closed defined benefit plans (qualified and non-qualified) under which the NEOs are eligible for benefits.

Name     Plan Name     Years
Credited
Service
     Present Value
Accumulated
Benefits
     Payments
During
Last FY
James M. FooteQualified CSX Pension Plan2.250     $62,928
Non-qualified Special Retirement Plan2.250$921,620
Kevin S. BooneQualified CSX Pension Plan2.333$46,954
Non-qualified Special Retirement Plan2.333$103,015
Frank A. LonegroQualified CSX Pension Plan19.083$678,868
Non-qualified Special Retirement Plan(1)19.083$5,063,519
Nathan D. GoldmanQualified CSX Pension Plan16.583$398,492
Non-qualified Special Retirement Plan16.583$574,131
Jamie J. BoychukQualified CSX Pension Plan2.667$53,815
Non-qualified Special Retirement Plan2.667$110,044
Edmond L. HarrisQualified CSX Pension Plan2.000$60,756
Non-qualified Special Retirement Plan2.000$282,175
(1)Under the terms of the Special Retirement Plan, non-qualified pension benefits can be paid in the equity and voting interests held in CSX, orsame form as under the Pension Plan. Mr. Lonegro is the only NEO that is part of the Final Average Pay Formula for employees hired before January 1, 2003. All other NEOs are part of the Cash Balance Formula. The Final Average Pay Formula provides for a changebenefit in the compositionform of a life annuity starting at age 65. The compensation used under this formula includes the highest aggregate base salary and short-term incentive payments for the employee’s highest consecutive 60-month period. The benefit is equal to 1.5% of the Board overemployee’s final average pay multiplied by their years of CSX service. This amount is then reduced by 40% of the employee’s Social Security benefits or 60% of the employee’s Railroad Retirement benefits, or both, as applicable. Mr. Lonegro received a specified percentage; or
24-month pension service credit plus the ability to take an unreduced pension three years early under the terms of his separation agreement. In addition, his pension benefit increased due to a decrease in the pension discount rate from 4.24% to 3.13%.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis   |   2019 Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Table

2019 Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Table

The following table presents a summary of 2019 contributions made under the EDCP, as well as associated 2019 earnings, distributions and year-end balances. Two types of deferrals are represented below: cash and CSX stock deferrals. Cash deferrals include deferred portions of an NEO’s base salary and short-term incentive payments. CSX stock deferrals include deferred portions of compensation payable in the form of CSX common stock.

Name     Executive
Contributions
Last Fiscal Year(1)
     Registrant
Contributions
Last Fiscal Year(2)
     Aggregate
Earnings
Last Fiscal Year(3)
     Aggregate
Distributions
Last Fiscal Year
     Aggregate
Balance
Last Fiscal
Year End
James M. Foote                $75,000

                  $

33,819                $43,810 $243,524
Kevin S. Boone$134,228$3,737$18,126$158,899
Frank A. Lonegro$8,350$4,871$191,834$1,123,751
Nathan D. Goldman$13,225$7,715$3,336$70,510
Jamie J. Boychuk
Edmond L. Harris$19,225$11,214$2,928$59,124
(1)Executive Contributions in Last Fiscal Year – The values in this column reflect salary deferred by the executives in 2019 under the EDCP.
(2)Registrant Contributions in Last Fiscal Year – Company contributions in 2019 are also reported in the liquidation or dissolutionAll Other Compensation column of CSX or its principal subsidiary.the Summary Compensation Table.
(3)Aggregate Earnings in Last Fiscal Year – Earnings on cash deferrals include the total gains and losses credited in 2019 based on participant investment elections.

Potential Payouts Under Change-of-Control Agreements

The following table presents the severance benefits to which each of the NEOs would be entitled as of December 31, 2019, under his or her Change-of-Control Agreement upon the hypothetical termination of employment following a change-of-control: (i) by CSX other than for cause or disability; (ii) by the NEO for good reason; or (iii) upon a constructive termination. The definitions of “change of control”, “cause”, “disability”, “good reason” and “constructive termination” are set forth in the Change-of-Control Agreements. No payments have been made to any NEO pursuant to the Change-of-Control Agreements.

Name     Severance(1)     Pro-Rata
Bonus Payment(2)
     Equity(3)     Welfare
Benefit Values(4)
     Outplacements     Aggregate
Payments
James M. Foote     $8,970,000             $2,740,313$21,970,150               $28,944             $40,000$33,749,407
Kevin S. Boone$2,698,475$479,805$1,762,711$76,104$40,000$5,057,095
Nathan D. Goldman$2,840,500$711,000$6,852,213$76,104$40,000$10,519,817
Jamie J. Boychuk$2,840,500$516,043$1,550,778$75,222$40,000$5,022,543
Edmond L. Harris$3,408,600$853,200$6,490,127$7,452$40,000$10,799,379
(1)Severance – Severance payment equal to 2.99 times the sum of the NEO’s annual base salary and “target bonus”.
(2)Pro-rata Bonus Payment – The “annual bonus” based upon the NEO’s target incentive opportunity and the plan’s achievement percentage (158%) pro-rated for the number of days in the calendar year prior to a hypothetical termination of employment as of December 31, 2019.
(3)Equity – Full LTIP performance unit payout based on 100% attainment of target levels under the 2017-2019, 2018-2020 and 2019-2021 LTIPs; full vesting of outstanding RSUs and restricted stock awards; as well as the value of outstanding stock options, each based upon the closing stock price on December 31, 2019 of $72.36.
(4)Welfare Benefit Values – Estimated values associated with the continuation of medical, prescription, dental, disability, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel insurance for three years post-termination following a change-of-control.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis   |   Potential Payouts Under Change-of-Control Agreements

Benefits Provided During the Employment Period Where No Termination has Occurred

Each Change-of-Control Agreement provides for salary and certain benefits to be continued at no less than specified levels generallythat for a period of up to three years after a change-of-control (the “Employment Period”), and for certain payments and other benefits to be paid or provided by CSX upon an executive’s termination of employment within the Employment Period. No payments have been made to any NEO pursuant to the Change-of-Control Agreements.



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What benefits are provided during the Employment Period where no termination has occurred?

During the Employment Period, CSX is required to:

payPay the executive an annual base salary that is at least equal to the highest base salary payable to the executive in the 12-month period immediately preceding the Employment Period (although certain reductions in salary that are also applicable to similarly situated peer executives may be permitted);
provideProvide the executive with an opportunity to earn an annual incentive at a minimum, target and maximum level that is not less favorable than the executive’s opportunity to earn such annual incentives prior to the Employment Period (although certain reductions also applicable to similarly situated peer executives may be permitted); and
causeEnsure the executive to beis eligible to participate in incentive, retirement, welfarehealth and group benefits and other retirement–related benefit plans and to benefit from paid vacation and other policies of CSX and its affiliates, on a basis not less favorable than the benefits generally available to the executive before the Employment Period (or the benefits generally available to peer executives at any time after the beginning of the Employment Period, whichever is more favorable).


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What benefits are providedBenefits Provided if the NEO is terminated?Terminated

Under theEach Change-of-Control Agreements, CSX will provide severance payments and other benefits to NEOs upon their termination of employment during the Employment Period. The amount of benefits depends on the reason for termination as discussed below.

Termination Without “Cause,” Resignation for “Good Reason” or “Constructive Termination.”Agreement provides that CSX will pay to the NEO the severance benefits described below if, during the Employment Period, CSX terminates the NEO’s employment without “cause”,cause, the NEO resigns for “good reason”good reason or upon a “constructive termination.”constructive termination (as such terms are defined in the Change-of-Control Agreements). An NEO whose employment is terminated without “cause”cause in anticipation of a change-of-control is also entitled to the following benefits.

Cash Severance Payment—A lump sum cash payment equal to the sum of the following:

Executive’s “annual bonus” based upon the executive’s accrued pay (unpaid salaryExecutive’s target incentive opportunity and unused vacation)the plan’s achievement percentage pro-rated for the number of days in the calendar year prior to a hypothetical termination of employment; and pro-rated bonus determined using the current target bonus; and
2.99 times the sum of the NEO’s annual base salary and the NEO’s “target bonus” (the Company provides the best-net-benefit meaning that to the extent an NEO would have a higher net benefit if he or she avoided excise taxes due to an excess parachute payment, the Change-of-Control Agreement provides for an automatic downward adjustment to prevent an excess parachute payment).

Medical and Other WelfareGroup Benefits—The equivalent of continued medical and life insurance and other welfare benefit planhealth and group benefits coverage for three years after termination of employment at a level at least as favorable as the benefits provided to the NEO during the Employment Period (or the benefits then generally available to peer executives, whichever is more favorable).

Outplacement—Outplacement services at a cost to CSX not to exceed $20,000.$40,000.

Termination for Other Reasons—If the executive’s employment is terminated due“Change-of-Control” Rights Available to the executive’s death or disability, or voluntarily by the executive, CSX will make a lump sum cash payment equal to the executive’s accrued pay (which includes unpaid base salary and unused vacation). If the executive’s employment is terminated by CSX for “cause,” CSX will pay the executive a lump-sum cash payment of any unpaid portion of his or her annual base salary through the date of termination.NEOs

Definitions:

“Cause” generally refers to: (i) the willful and continued failure of the NEO to perform his or her duties to CSX; or (ii) the willful engagement in illegal conduct or gross misconduct that is materially and demonstrably injurious to CSX.

“Constructive termination” applies in the case of a business combination subject to the approval of the Surface Transportation Board, and refers to the occurrence of any of the following during the portion of the Employment Period prior to that agency’s final decision:

the substantial diminution of the NEO’s duties or responsibilities;
a reduction in compensation payable during the Employment Period (other than a reduction in incentive opportunities, benefits and perquisites where the NEO’s peer executives suffer a comparable reduction);
CSX’s requiring the NEO to be based more than 35 miles from his or her location or to travel on business to a materially greater extent than before; or
any purported termination by CSX of the NEO’s employment other than for “cause.”

“Disability” generally refers to the NEO’s absence from duties for 180 consecutive business days as a result of total and permanent mental or physical illness.

“Good reason” generally refers to the occurrence of any of the following:

the assignment to the NEO of duties inconsistent with, or a diminution of his or her position, authority, duties or responsibilities;
any failure of CSX to comply with its compensation obligations during the Employment Period;
CSX’s requiring the NEO to be based more than 35 miles from his or her location or to travel on business to a materially greater extent than before;
any purported termination by CSX of the NEO’s employment other than as permitted by the Change-of-Control Agreements; or
any failure of CSX to require a successor to assume the Change-of-Control Agreement.



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Potential Payouts Under Change-of-Control Agreements

The following table presents the severance benefits to which each of the NEOs would be entitled as of December 30, 2016 under his or her Change-of-Control Agreement upon the hypothetical termination of employment following a change-of-control: (i) by CSX other than for “cause” or “disability”; (ii) by the NEO for “good reason”; or (iii) upon a “constructive termination.” A change-of-control would not result in retirement benefit increases or excise tax gross ups. Further, the pro-rata bonus payment would be based on target bonus instead of the highest annual bonus.

NameSeverance(1)Pro-rata Bonus
Payment(2)
Equity(3)Welfare Benefit
Values(4)
Outplacement(5)Aggregate
Payments
Michael J. Ward(6)$7,893,600$1,440,000$31,275,395$26,688$20,000$40,655,683
Clarence W. Gooden(6)$4,186,000$700,000$9,264,603$46,362$20,000$14,216,965
Frank A. Lonegro$2,840,500$450,000$4,281,952$66,306$20,000$7,658,758
Fredrik J. Eliasson$3,408,600$540,000$9,431,164$66,306$20,000$13,466,070
Cynthia M. Sanborn$3,124,550$495,000$6,776,080$26,058$20,000$10,441,688

(1)Severance—Severance payment equal to 2.99 times the sum of the NEO's annual base salary at the time of the termination and the “target bonus.”
(2)Pro-rata Target Bonus Payment—The “target bonus” pro-rated for the number of days in the calendar year prior to a hypothetical termination of employment as of December 30, 2016.
(3)Equity—Full LTIP performance unit payout based on 100% attainment of target levels under the 2014-2016, 2015-2017 and 2016-2018 LTIP cycles; full vesting of outstanding RSUs and restricted stock awards; as well as the value of outstanding stock options, each based upon closing stock price on December 30, 2016 of $35.93.
(4)Welfare Benefit Values—Estimated values associated with the continuation of medical, prescription, dental, disability, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance for three years post-termination following a change-of-control.
(5)Outplacement—Executive is provided with outplacement services not to exceed $20,000.
(6)Messrs. Ward and Gooden agreed to cancel their respective Change-of-Control Agreements on February 22, 2017.

Does the Company provide tax gross-ups for excess parachute payments?

No. The Company does not provide gross-up payments for excess parachute excise taxes.

Is there a confidentiality clause in the Change-of-Control Agreements?

Yes. Each of the Change-of-Control Agreements requires the NEO to keep confidential any proprietary information or data relating to CSX and its affiliates. After termination of employment, an NEO may not disclose confidential information without prior written permission from CSX.



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Are there any other “change-of-control” rights available to the NEOs other than those contained in the executives’ Change-of-Control Agreements?

Yes. Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Plan,Plans, in the event of a change-of-control combined with an involuntary employment termination, equity awards are impacted as follows:

Performance grants vest at target levels;
RSUs and unvested stock options are payable immediately in cash; and
Restricted stock immediately vests.

Are there other severance protections in place for NEOs?

Yes, the Section 16 Officer Severance Plan. The potential benefits under this one-year plan will be quantified in CSX’s 2018 annual proxy statement for the NEOs who are included in that proxy statement. In 2016, the NEOs were covered under the Company’s severance plan for all employees. The NEOs are not entitled to receive benefits under the Section 16 Officer Severance Plan or the general severance plan if they receive benefits under their change-of-control agreements.

What is the impactImpact of a change-of-controlChange-of-Control on deferred compensationDeferred Compensation (EDCP) and retirement plan benefits?Retirement Plan Benefits

In accordance with the terms of the EDCP, distribution of the entire account balance shall be made to participants upon a change-of-control unless the individual participant elects otherwise. As discussed in the narrative accompanying the Pension Benefits Table, theThe Special Retirement Plan also contains certain change-of-control provisions.

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Report of the Compensation Committee


The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on its review and on   |   Potential Payouts Under Change-of-Control Agreements

No Tax Gross-Ups for Excess Parachute Payments

The Company does not provide gross-up payments for excess parachute excise taxes. Rather, the discussion described above,Change-of-Control Agreements provide that the Compensation Committee recommendedCompany will provide the best-net-benefit meaning that to the full Board thatextent an NEO would have a higher net benefit if he or she avoided excise taxes due to an excess parachute payment, the payments will be automatically adjusted downward to prevent an excess parachute payment.

Post-Employment Compensation Discussion and Analysis- Termination Without Cause by the Company or by the Executive for Good Reason

The following table presents the severance benefits to which each of the NEO’s would be included in this Proxy Statement.entitled as of December 31, 2019, under the applicable severance arrangement assuming the NEO was terminated “without cause” by the Company or by the executive for “good reason.”

Name     Severance(1)     Stock
Awards(2)
     Option
Awards(2)
     Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(3)
     Other
Compensation(4)
     Total
Compensation
Payable
James M. Foote     $6,000,000$15,023,890$6,946,260            $2,740,313               $61,648      $30,772,111
Kevin S. Boone$118,750$852,763$216,594$479,805$58,342$1,726,254
Nathan D. Goldman$375,000$1,781,286$3,678,214$711,000$71,026$6,616,526
Jamie J. Boychuk$125,000$666,870$177,747$516,043$58,269$1,543,929
Edmond L. Harris$150,000$4,552,023$1,938,105$853,200$54,484$7,547,812
Compensation Committee(1)Severance – Per his employment agreements, Mr. Foote would receive two times his annual salary plus two times his target annual bonus. The Section 16 Officer Severance Plan expired on February 22, 2019. As such, Mr. Goldman would receive nine months’ salary and Messrs. Boone, Boychuk and Harris would receive three months’ salary.
(2)Stock and Option Awards – This includes a prorated amount of all outstanding equity awards as of December 31, 2019, except for Messrs. Foote and Harris who would receive their full award (not prorated) per their respective employment agreements. However, all equity would be settled according to each grant’s original vesting schedule. All performance unit calculations in the table assume a target performance; however, actual vesting would be based on Company performance. All equity awards have been valued using the closing stock price on December 31, 2019 (the last trading day of 2019) of $72.36. The Option Awards have been calculated using the difference between the respective grant’s exercise price and the closing stock price on December 31, 2019, multiplied by the prorated number of Options held by the NEO. The prorated Options would remain outstanding until the end of their originally scheduled term.
John J. Zillmer, Chair(3)Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation – These amounts represent what each NEO would receive as a prorated 2019 short-term incentive award at target payout.
Donna M. Alvarado(4)
Steven T. Halverson
Paul C. Hilal
Edward J. Kelly, III
Linda H. Riefler
Donald J. Shepard
March 23, 2017Other Compensation – In accordance with the Section 16 Officer Severance Plan, each NEO would receive outplacement and financial planning services not to exceed $40,000 and $12,000, respectively. In addition, each would also have the option to continue their medical and dental benefits if they elected to receive their severance as monthly installments over the period their monthly severance payments are made.

56       CSX Corporation 2020 Proxy Statement




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Item 3: Advisory (Non-Binding) Vote to Approve the Compensation


As required by Section 953(b) of CSX’s Named Executive Officers

The Board unanimously recommends that shareholders voteFOR this proposal.

In accordance with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, the Company is providing the following information about the ratio of the annual total compensation of CSX’s median employee and the annual total compensation of Mr. Foote as of December 31, 2019. The pay ratio included in this information is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K.

For 2019, the last completed fiscal year:

The annual total compensation of the individual identified as the Company’s median employee, other than the CEO, was $107,632.
The annual total compensation of the CEO was $15,537,181.
Based on this information, the ratio for 2019 of the annual total compensation of Mr. Foote to the annual total compensation of the median employee was 144 to 1.

The Company identified a new median employee as of year-end 2019. To identify the median employee, as well as to determine the annual total compensation of Mr. Foote, the following analysis occurred:

1.As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s employee population consisted of approximately 20,497 employees (as reported in Item 1, Business, in the 2019 Annual Report filed with the SEC on February 12, 2020). The Company used December 31, 2019 as the date to determine the “median employee” because this date provides the most accurate representation of the Company’s workforce through the full fiscal year.
2.The median employee was identified by using 2019 Medicare Wages for all individuals, excluding Mr. Foote, that were reflected in the Company’s payroll records as reported to the Internal Revenue Service on Forms W-2 for 2019.
3.All employees who were full-time, part-time, or seasonal, including management and union, as well as furloughed employees who received any wages within the calendar year were included in the analysis. Employees from the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries were also included.
4.Annualized compensation was determined for any full or part-time employees who were employed at year-end but did not work for the Company the entire fiscal year.
5.The use of Medicare Wages is a consistently applied measure because it includes all forms of taxable compensation, which is most representative of the Company’s employee base since there are union and management workforces. All non-U.S. employees who reside in Canada (49) represent less than 1% of the Company’s overall employee population and were thus excluded. No cost-of-living adjustments were made in identifying the median employee.
6.Once the median employee was identified, the Company determined the sum of all elements of such employee’s compensation for 2019 in accordance with Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K, which resulted in annual total compensation of $107,632. The difference between such employee’s base salary, wages, and overtime pay ($85,867) and the employee’s total annual compensation was the value of the health care benefits for the employee and eligible dependents, which was $21,765.
7.The annual total compensation for Mr. Foote includes the amount reported in the “Total” column of theSummary Compensation Table included in this Proxy Statement which was determined in accordance with Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K, plus the added value of his health care benefits, which was $9,648.

WWW.CSX.COM       57


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In accordance with the Dodd-Frank Act and Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, CSX is providing shareholders with the opportunity to vote on a non-binding, advisory resolution to approve the compensation of the Company'sCompany’s NEOs, which is disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K and described in the CD&A section, the accompanying compensation tables and the related narrative disclosures in this Proxy Statement. Accordingly, the following resolution will be submitted for a shareholder vote at the Annual Meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the shareholders of CSX Corporation (the “Company”) approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the accompanying compensation tables and the related narrative disclosure in the Proxy Statement.”

The Company currently holds an advisory vote on the compensation of the Company’s NEOs on an annual basis (in accordance with the results of the advisory shareholder vote held at the Company’s 2017 Annual Meeting to determine the frequency of an advisory vote on NEO compensation), and will continue to hold the vote annually until the next frequency vote is held (which is not required until 2023).

As described in the CD&A, the Company’s executive compensation program is designed to align executive pay with the Company’s financial performance and the creation of sustainable long-term shareholder value. The compensation program is structured to provide a competitive level of compensation necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced executives and to motivate them to achieve short-short and long-term strategic goals. In order to align executive pay with the Company’s financial performance and the creation of sustainable shareholder value, a significant portion of compensation paid to our NEOs is allocated to performance-based, long-term equity incentive awards. The Company makes compensation payout decisions based on an assessment of the Company’s performance, as well as the performance of each executive against goals that promote CSX’s success by focusing on shareholders, customers, employees and the communities in which we operate.

Shareholders are urged to read the CD&A, the accompanying compensation tables and the related narrative disclosure in this Proxy Statement, which more thoroughly discuss the Company’s compensation policies and procedures. The Compensation and Talent Management Committee and the Board believe that these policies and procedures are effective in implementing the Company’s overall pay-for-performance compensation philosophy. This resolution does not relate to the matters addressed in Item 5.

While this advisory vote is required by law, it will neither be binding on the Company, the Compensation and Talent Management Committee or the Board, nor will it create or imply any change in the fiduciary duties of, or impose any additional fiduciary duties on, the Company or the Board. The Board and the Compensation and Talent Management Committee will consider the outcome of the vote when developing future executive compensation programs. The Company currently intends to hold the next advisory (non-binding) vote to approve NEO compensation at its 20182021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, unless the Board modifies its policy of holding an advisory (non-binding) vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s NEOs on an annual basis.



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Item 4: Advisory (Non-Binding) Vote on the Frequency of Future Advisory Votes on the Compensation of CSX’s Named Executive Officers

The Board unanimously recommends that the shareholders vote to hold an advisory vote EVERY YEAR.

FORthis proposal.

In accordance with Section 951 of the Dodd-Frank Act, CSX is providing shareholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on whether a non-binding stockholder resolution to approve the compensation of the Company’s NEOs should occur every one, two or three years.The Board recommends that shareholders vote to hold an advisory vote on executive compensation every year, or an annual vote.

After careful consideration, Board believes that holding a vote every year is the most appropriate option because (i) it enables our shareholders to provide the Company with input regarding the compensation of the NEOs on a timely basis; and (ii) it is consistent with the Company’s practice of engaging with its shareholders, and obtaining their input, on corporate governance matters and executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices.

The advisory vote regarding the frequency of the shareholder vote as described in this Item 4 requires the favorable vote of the majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting. If none of the frequency options receive a majority of the votes cast, the option receiving the greatest number of votes will be considered the frequency recommended by shareholders. Abstentions will not be counted as votes cast. If no voting specification is made on a properly returned or voted white proxy card, proxies named on the white proxy card will vote for EVERY YEAR for the frequency of the shareholder vote on executive compensation described in this Item 4. While this advisory vote is required by law, it will neither be binding on the Company nor the Board. The Board will consider the outcome of the vote in making a determination concerning the frequency of future advisory (non-binding) votes on executive compensation. We currently hold our advisory vote on executive compensation every year, as our Board had last recommended, and our shareholders had approved in 2011.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAN AN ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS BE INCLUDED IN THE COMPANY’S PROXY STATEMENT EVERY YEAR.



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Item 5: Advisory (Non-Binding) Vote Concerning Reimbursement Arrangements Sought in Connection with Retention of E. Hunter Harrison as CEO at CSX

The Board is not recommending FOR or AGAINST this resolution.

On March 6, 2017, the Company announced that it had appointed Mr. Harrison, a proven railroad executive with a well-regarded track record of producing market-leading operating and financial results, as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

At that time, the Company also announced that the CSX Board would seek shareholder input with respect to Mr. Harrison’s request that CSX reimburse the costs incurred in order to induce his then employer, Canadian Pacific, to relax his non-compete sufficiently to permit him to work at CSX. The Company has been informed that Canadian Pacific was unwilling to relax Mr. Harrison’s non-compete unless Mr. Harrison forfeited approximately $90 million in vested and about-to-vest compensation and benefits.

As described below, prior to any discussions with the Company, to facilitate Mr. Harrison’s separation from Canadian Pacific on terms that would permit him to work at the Company, Mantle Ridge agreed to protect Mr. Harrison on a contingent basis with respect to $84 million of the cost of such forfeiture. If the Company does not reimburse these forfeiture costs and Mr. Harrison does not resign, the Company understands that Mr. Harrison would be required to repay the $55 million amount he has already received under the Mantle Ridge contingent protection arrangement and give up his right to any further amounts under that arrangement. Mr. Harrison joined CSX on the assumption that CSX would reimburse these forfeiture costs and has indicated that if the Company does not do so then he will resign from CSX after the 2017 Annual Meeting in order to maintain the contingent protection he currently has from Mantle Ridge.

While the Board approved the hiring of Mr. Harrison under the terms described elsewhere under “Mantle Ridge and E. Hunter Harrison Agreements,” the Board believed that, given the magnitude of the potential payments, it was appropriate to obtain shareholder guidance concerning whether the Company should provide the Reimbursement described in this resolution. As a result, the Board is presenting the question of Reimbursement for shareholder approval, without recommending for or against this resolution.

Accordingly, the following resolution will be submitted for a shareholder vote at the Annual Meeting:

“Resolved, that the Company should pay $55 million to Mantle Ridge (to reimburse Mantle Ridge for the payment it made to E. Hunter Harrison) and $29 million to Mr. Harrison with regard to compensation and benefits Mr. Harrison earned at Canadian Pacific Railway Limited but forfeited in order to allow him to become CEO of the Company, and also assume a tax indemnity that enables Mr. Harrison to remain in the same after-tax position as if he had not forfeited such compensation and benefits and had not been reimbursed for them (collectively, the “Reimbursement”).”

Until January 31, 2017, Mr. Harrison was Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Pacific. CSX understands that the terms of his employment included a two-year non-compete obligation that precluded him from accepting a position with the Company. His Supplemental Executive Retirement benefit (the “SERP Benefit”) also included a non-compete obligation. CSX has been informed as follows:

Canadian Pacific was willing to exempt from the non-compete in Mr. Harrison’s employment agreement a number of railroads including the Company, but only if he forfeited approximately $90 million in vested and about-to-vest compensation and benefits he had earned at Canadian Pacific, including the SERP Benefit.
Mr. Harrison was not willing to incur such large personal costs.
Mantle Ridge’s limited partners believed the Company would agree that the $90 million cost was necessary to make Mr. Harrison available to work at the Company.
Those limited partners therefore shared Mantle Ridge’s view that if Mr. Harrison were in fact made available, the Company would hire him under commercial terms that included covering the cost of the forfeiture.
To facilitate Mr. Harrison’s separation from Canadian Pacific on terms that would permit him to work at the Company, Mantle Ridge’s limited partners authorized Mantle Ridge to extend contingent protection to Mr. Harrison that would cover him unless and until the Company hired him (and for a brief period of time beyond), but not after such time.
Accordingly, Mantle Ridge agreed to protect Mr. Harrison from the contingency that the Company would not hire him by committing to reimburse him $84 million of the $90 million of forfeiture costs (and providing a tax indemnity). However, the agreement provides that if the Company fails to provide the Reimbursement and Mr. Harrison remains as CEO, then Mr. Harrison must repay Mantle Ridge the $55 million amount he has already received (and relinquish any further rights) under this contingent protection.



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In determining whether to vote for this resolution,


The following table sets forth information about the Board believes shareholders should consider the following pros and cons:

Pros:

Company’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2019.

Plan category     Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(in thousands)
     Weighted-average
exercise price
of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
     Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(in thousands)(1)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders3,795                    $49.7813,999
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders00
TOTAL3,795$49.7813,999
(1)

Mr. Harrison’s prior accomplishmentsThe number of shares remaining available for future issuance under plans approved by shareholders includes 13,998,950 shares available for grant in the form of stock options, performance grants, restricted stock, RSUs, stock appreciation rights and past experiences generating value at Illinois Central Railroad, Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific;

Mr. Harrison’s experience with implementing “Precision Scheduled Railroading”; and

Mr. Harrison forfeited substantial compensation and benefits he earned at Canadian Pacific in orderstock awards pursuant to relax non-compete restrictions that would have prevented him from working at the Company, and if the Company does not provide the Reimbursement he has made clear that he will resign from CSX in order to maintain the Mantle Ridge protection against the cost of the forfeiture.

2019 Stock Plan.

Cons:WWW.CSX.COM       59

The magnitude of the costs associated with the Reimbursement and Mr. Harrison’s compensation at the Company as described elsewhere under “Mantle Ridge and E. Hunter Harrison Agreements”;

The risk that Mr. Harrison may not be able to continue to serve as CEO over the course of his four-year employment agreement, whether due to death, disability or other reasons; and

The risk that Mr. Harrison may not be able to achieve results similar to the results he was able to achieve at Illinois Central, Canadian National and Canadian Pacific.

The Board believes the shareholders should take into account the potential benefits associated with Mr. Harrison’s continued services as CEO of the Company, as well as the potentially negative effects to the Company were Mr. Harrison to resign as CEO of the Company within thirty days following the 2017 Annual Meeting.

The Company’s Board of Directors has had extensive discussions regarding the Reimbursement, however, at this time the Board has not determined what action it intends to take or will take if the resolution does or does not receive majority support from shareholders. The resolution is advisory, and after shareholders have voted the Board intends to act promptly and to take into account the facts and circumstances at the time, including the outcome of the shareholder vote on the resolution, in the exercise of its fiduciary duties with respect to whether to commit to the Reimbursement. Under the MR Agreement, the Company has agreed that within 15 days following the Annual Meeting it will make a determination with respect to the Reimbursement.

If a shareholder submits a proxy but does not indicate a vote on this resolution, such shareholder’s shares will be treated as having abstained for purposes of this resolution.




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Mantle Ridge and E. Hunter Harrison Agreements

Prior to any discussions with the Company regarding the Company’s strategic direction and Board composition, on January 18, 2017, E. Hunter Harrison entered into a consulting agreement with Mantle Ridge (the “MR Consulting Agreement”), a copy of which has been provided by Mantle Ridge to the Company. Under the MR Consulting Agreement, Mr. Harrison agreed to serve as a consultant to Mantle Ridge for which the agreement entitled him to, among other things and subject to the repayment obligations described below, (i) a $166,667 monthly consulting fee, (ii) an $84 million supplemental payment, payable in two lump-sum installments of $55 million on January 31, 2017 and $29 million before March 15, 2018 and (iii) a tax equalization payment related to his forfeiture of certain equity awards granted by his former employer (as further described below) (collectively, the “Payments”). The MR Consulting Agreement also entitled Mr. Harrison to business expense reimbursements and indemnification rights regarding his consulting services and, provided a repayment event does not occur, indemnification rights regarding certain taxes. Mr. Harrison ceased to be a consultant to Mantle Ridge upon his appointment as CEO of the Company.

The tax equalization payment is the additional amount that would put Mr. Harrison in the same after-tax position as he would have been if he had not forfeited vested in-the-money stock options or other vested equity pursuant to his separation agreement with Canadian Pacific or received the $55 million portion of the cash payment (including any related tax benefit), but instead had exercised in-the-money stock options with a spread value at the time of exercise and retained other vested equity of Canadian Pacific in an aggregate amount equal to $55 million and immediately sold the underlying shares for $55 million. Under the tax indemnity, Mantle Ridge agreed to indemnify and hold Mr. Harrison harmless for any taxes, penalties or interest (including payment of legal and accounting fees as incurred) under U.S. or Canadian federal, state, provincial or local law imposed on Mr. Harrison related to (i) the forfeiture or waiver of equity or payment by Mr. Harrison to Canadian Pacific pursuant to Mr. Harrison’s separation agreement with Canadian Pacific, (ii) Mr. Harrison’s forfeiture of his supplemental executive retirement payment and other post-employment benefits from Canadian Pacific or (iii) any repayment amounts to Mantle Ridge due to the acceptance of employment that constitutes a repayment event under the MR Consulting Agreement (collectively the “Indemnified Taxes”). Indemnified Taxes do not include any taxes that are duplicative of the tax equalization payment or ordinary self-employment or income taxes on, among other things, the $84 million cash payment except to the extent that such taxes exceed the amounts Mr. Harrison would have been paid if the events described in (i), (ii) or (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence had not occurred, and Indemnified Taxes are reduced by any tax benefit to Mr. Harrison related to the events described in (i), (ii) and (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence.

The MR Consulting Agreement obligated Mr. Harrison to repay in full, or forfeit if not yet paid, his Payments if (i) he resigns (other than due to death or disability or is required to do so by his former employer due to a breach of certain restrictive covenants by Mantle Ridge), (ii) he accepts an employment position as requested by Mantle Ridge (in which case the repayment would be required within 10 days of receiving an equivalent amount from his employer), (iii) he materially violates the non-competition covenants to which he is subject under the MR Consulting Agreement or (iv) he rejects an offer of employment to serve as the CEO of a Class 1 Railroad if such offer meets certain specified minimum duration, compensation, severance, benefits and other requirements, including the grant of an equity award with respect to shares equal to 1% of the outstanding common stock of the new employer at the time of grant with certain vesting terms.

In order to facilitate Mr. Harrison becoming CEO of the Company, pursuant to an amendment to the MR Consulting Agreement, Mantle Ridge agreed that if the Board approves and effectuates the Reimbursement no later than the 15th day following the Annual Meeting (a “Qualified Arrangement”), then Mr. Harrison will have no obligation to repay the Payments. If the Board does not effectuate a Qualified Arrangement and Mr. Harrison resigns from his employment with the Company and returns to his role as a consultant with Mantle Ridge within 30 days following the Annual Meeting, the consulting period will restart (pursuant to all provisions of the MR Consulting Agreement) and the repayment obligation and forfeitures will not become effective. If Mr. Harrison does not resign under such circumstances, he will be obligated to repay and forfeit the Payments and he will continue to be subject to restrictive covenants under the MR Consulting Agreement. The Reimbursement is described in “Item 5: Advisory Vote Concerning the Reimbursement Arrangements Sought in Connection with Retention of E. Hunter Harrison as CEO at CSX.”

On March 6, 2017, the Company entered into a letter agreement with the Mantle Ridge Group (the “MR Agreement”). Pursuant to the MR Agreement, among other things, (i) the Board agreed to the director appointments described in “Item 1: Election of Directors” and the subsequent nomination of the directors so appointed at each of the Company’s 2017 Annual Meeting and 2018 Annual Meeting, (ii) Mr. Ward resigned from the Board immediately, and three directors agreed not to stand for reelection at the Annual Meeting, (iii) the Board agreed to the committee leadership and composition described in “Item 1: Election of Directors” and to maintain such committee leadership and composition until at least the conclusion of the 2018 Annual Meeting, (iv) the roles of Chairman of the Board and CEO were separated and Mr. Kelly and Mr. Hilal were appointed as non-executive Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board, respectively, each to serve until the conclusion of the 2018 Meeting and (v) the Company’s bylaws were amended to provide that (A) a director that has reached the retirement age of 75 years may continue to serve on the Board so long as he or she has not served more than five consecutive terms and (B) an amendment of the bylaws by the Board will require a vote of two-thirds of the directors then in office.

Under the MR Agreement, if prior to the 2017 Annual Meeting, the Mantle Ridge Group’s beneficial ownership of shares of the Company’s common stock is less than 2.0% of the outstanding CSX common stock (other than as a result of an issuance of shares by the Company or a similar transaction that increases the number of outstanding shares of CSX common stock) (the “Minimum Ownership Requirement”), the Mantle Ridge Group is required to provide prompt notice to the Company and to cause Mr. Hilal to tender his resignation from the Board, any committee thereof and any other position at the Company.

Pursuant to the MR Agreement, if Ms. Riefler or Messrs. Harrison, Hilal, Reilley or Zillmer is unable to serve as a member of the Board, the Mantle Ridge Group, as long as it meets the Minimum Ownership Requirement, will have the right to have another individual appointed to the Board who is reasonably acceptable to the Governance Committee of the Board and who meets the director independence and other standards of the Nasdaq and the SEC, subject to certain other conditions set forth in the MR Agreement. The Company has also agreed that until the conclusion of the 2018 Annual Meeting, the size of the Board will not be more than 13 directors.



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In addition, under the MR Agreement, the Company agreed to include in the Proxy Statement “Item 5: Advisory Vote Concerning the Reimbursement Arrangements Sought in Connection with Retention


Security Ownership of E. Hunter Harrison as CEO at CSX.” The Company also agreed that within 15 days following the Annual Meeting it will make a determination with respect to the Reimbursement (as defined in “Item 5: Advisory Vote Concerning the Reimbursement Arrangements Sought in Connection with Retention of E. Hunter Harrison as CEO at CSX”)Management and if the Company determines to effect the Reimbursement, within five days of such determination, it will (i) pay $55 million to Mantle Ridge (to reimburse Mantle Ridge for the payment it made to Mr. Harrison under the MR Consulting Agreement) and (ii) agree in writing with Mr. Harrison to pay Mr. Harrison $29 million on or before March 15, 2018 and assume the tax indemnity (including the tax equalization payment) described above. In addition, the extent to which these payments will be deductible by the Company for U.S. federal income tax purposes is unclear. Please see “Item 5: Advisory Vote Concerning the Reimbursement Arrangements Sought in Connection with Retention of E. Hunter Harrison as CEO at CSX” for further information regarding this resolution.

The MR Agreement terminates upon conclusion of the 2018 Annual Meeting, subject to certain specified obligations that will terminate at a later date.

As noted, on March 6, 2017, Mr. Harrison was appointed as our CEO and a director of the Company. In connection with Mr. Harrison’s appointment, the Company entered into a four-year employment agreement with him, providing an annual base salary of $2,200,000 and an annual target bonus opportunity of $2,800,000, with a guaranteed 2017 bonus no less than the target bonus opportunity, as well as certain perquisites and benefits. The negotiation of Mr. Harrison’s compensation terms occurred in extraordinary circumstances, which warranted making compensation decisions in light of such circumstances instead of in accordance with the Company’s usual compensation decision making practices described above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”

Mr. Harrison has been granted an option to purchase 9,000,000 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $49.79 (the closing trading price of our shares on March 6, 2017) and a ten-year term. This option will vest in equal annual installments over his four-year employment term. Half of the option will vest based on continued service and half will vest based on achievement of performance targets. If Mr. Harrison’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or by Mr. Harrison for “good reason,” the option will be eligible to vest in full, subject to achievement of the applicable performance targets in the case of the performance-vesting portion of the option award. In other termination scenarios the option will be subject to partial vesting. In the event of a termination for cause, the option will be forfeited in full.

Mr. Harrison’s employment agreement also provides him with severance protection under certain circumstances. If Mr. Harrison’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or by Mr. Harrison for “good reason” or if he resigns within 30 days of the Annual Meeting due to the Company’s failure to effect the Reimbursement, he will be entitled to severance equal to his base salary and target annual bonus, a pro rata bonus for the year of termination and specified medical benefit continuation rights. If the termination occurs in connection with, or within two years following, a future change in control of the Company, the severance will be 2.99 times Mr. Harrison’s base salary and target annual bonus. If, as a result of the Company’s business activities, Mr. Harrison is subject to any claims by Canadian Pacific under Mr. Harrison’s non-competition agreement with Canadian Pacific, the Company will indemnify Mr. Harrison.

The MR Agreement is more fully described in, and is attached as an exhibit to, the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 7, 2017 with the SEC. The Company’s employment agreement with Mr. Harrison is described in such Form 8-K as well.

Other MattersCertain Beneficial Owners

Neither the Board nor management intends to bring before the Annual Meeting any business other than the matters referred to in the Notice of Meeting and this Proxy Statement. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment thereof, the persons appointed in the accompanying proxy will vote the shares represented thereby in accordance with their best judgment.



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Security Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners

The following table sets forth, as of March 28, 2017,6, 2020, the beneficial ownership of the Company’sCSX common stock by each director, director nominee and NEO, and the directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. The business address of each of the Company’s directors and executive officers is CSX Corporation, 500 Water Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202.

Name of Beneficial Owner(1)Amount of
Beneficial
Ownership(2)
Percent of
Class(3)
Donna M. Alvarado116,440*
John B. Breaux194,117*
Pamela L. Carter40,990*
Steven T. Halverson120,693*
E. Hunter Harrison-*
Paul C. Hilal(4)(5)41,405,4664.49%
Edward J. Kelly, III216,435*
John D. McPherson106,232*
David M. Moffett9,850*
David M. Ratcliffe249,054
Dennis H. Reilley69,690*
Linda H. Riefler8,580
Donald J. Shepard280,626
J. Steven Whisler39,924*
John J. Zillmer158,490
Michael J. Ward(6)589,913
Clarence W. Gooden(7)433,707
Frank A. Lonegro(8)71,254*
Fredrik J. Eliasson(9)88,238*
Cynthia M. Sanborn(10)120,491*
All current executive officers and directors as a group (a total of 24)44,234,4904.79%

Name of Beneficial Owner(1)     Amount of
Beneficial
Ownership
     Shares for which
Beneficial Ownership
can be Acquired
within 60 Days(2)
     Total
Beneficial
Ownership
     Percent of
Class(3)
Donna M. Alvarado116,461116,461*
Pamela L. Carter48,38348,383*
James M. Foote6,14276,27782,419*
Steven T. Halverson93,22593,225*
Paul C. Hilal(4)3,335,5683,335,568*
John D. McPherson119,563119,563*
David M. Moffett17,51917,519*
Linda H. Riefler16,19316,193*
Suzanne M. Vautrinot2,2262,226*
J. Steven Whisler52,14752,147*
John J. Zillmer173,039173,039*
Kevin. S. Boone8,1421,4959,637*
Edmond L. Harris23,77315,25539,028*
Jamie J. Boychuk10,3121,80212,114*
Nathan D. Goldman75,17470,440145,614*
All current executive officers and directors as a group (a total of 18)4,213,501251,3554,464,848*
(1)Except as otherwise noted, the persons listed have sole voting power as to all shares reported, including shares held in trust under certain deferred compensation plans, and also have investment power except with respect to certain shares held in trust under deferred compensation plans, investment of which is governed by the terms of the trust.
(2)There were noIncludes shares subject to outstanding stock options outstanding for any executive officerexercisable as of or director that were exercisable within 60 days of December 30, 2016.March 6, 2020.
(3)Based on 923,128,464770,711,122 shares outstanding on March 28, 2017.6, 2020. An asterisk (*) indicates that ownership is less than 1% of class.
(4)By virtue of ultimately controlling the managing member of Mantle Ridge GP LLC, the general partner of Mantle Ridge, which is in turn the sole member of both MR S and P Index Annual Reports LLC and MR Argent Advisor LLC, the investment adviser to, and holder of 100% of the nonvoting interests in, the MR Funds (defined below), Mr. Hilal may be deemed to have the shared power to vote or direct the vote of the shares held by the MR Funds, Mantle Ridge LP and MR Argent Advisor LLC. “MR Funds” means MR Argent Offshore AB Ltd., MR Argent Offshore BB Ltd., MR Argent Offshore CB 01 Ltd., MR Argent Offshore CB 02 Ltd., MR Argent Offshore CB 03 Ltd., MR Argent Offshore CB 04 Ltd., MR Argent Offshore CB 05 Ltd. and MR Argent Offshore CB 07 Ltd.
(5)15,799,262 shares of CSX common stock beneficially owned by Mr. Hilal have been pledged as collateral under a secured credit facility entered into by certain of the MR Funds with a third party lender.

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(6)The ownership of Mr. Ward includes 62,322 restricted stock units vesting in May 2017, but excludes 49,143 restricted stock units vesting in February 2018; 87,277 restricted stock units vesting in February 2019; and 60,451 restricted stock units vesting in February 2020.
(7)The ownership of Mr. Gooden includes 17,806 restricted stock units vesting in May 2017, but excludes 14,041 restricted stock units vesting in February 2018; 24,244 restricted stock units vesting in February 2019; and 16,792 restricted stock units vesting in February 2020.
(8)The ownership of Mr. Lonegro includes 1,781 restricted stock units vesting in May 2017, but excludes 1,404 restricted stock units vesting in February 2018; 14,546 restricted stock units vesting in February 2019; 13,434 restricted stock units vesting in February 2020; and 19,395 shares of restricted stock vesting in February 2021.
(9)The ownership of Mr. Eliasson includes 17,806 restricted stock units vesting in May 2017, but excludes 14,041 restricted stock units vesting in February 2018; 19,395 restricted stock units vesting in February 2019; 16,792 restricted stock units vesting in February 2020; 21,349 shares of restricted stock vesting in May 2018; and 19,395 shares of restricted stock vesting in February 2021.
(10)The ownership of Ms. Sanborn includes 17,806 restricted stock units vesting in May 2017, but excludes 10,531 restricted stock units vesting in February 2018; 19,395 restricted stock units vesting in February 2019; 13,434 restricted stock units vesting in February 2020; 21,349 shares of restricted stock vesting in May 2018; and 19,395 shares of restricted stock vesting in February 2021.

Ownership of our Stock   |   Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of CSX common stock as of April 17, 2017March 6, 2020 for each person known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of CSX common stock.

Name and Address of Beneficial OwnerAmount of
Beneficial
Ownership
Percent of
Class
BlackRock, Inc.(1)
55 East 52ndStreet
New York, NY 1005552,497,9495.6%
Capital Research Global Investors(2)
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 9007155,777,4895.9%
The Vanguard Group(3)
100 Vanguard Blvd.
Malvern, PA 1935567,303,5077.18%

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner     Amount of
Beneficial Ownership
     Percent of
Class
BlackRock, Inc.(1)
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
47,594,4976.10%
Capital Research Global Investors(2)
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
54,198,9516.90%
Capital World Investors(2)
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
56,795,4177.20%
The Vanguard Group(3)
100 Vanguard Blvd.
Malvern, PA 19355
64,746,3818.27%
(1)As disclosed in its Schedule 13G filed on January 30, 2017.
(2)As disclosed in its Schedule 13G/A filed on February 13, 2017.5, 2020.
(3)(2)As disclosed in its Schedule 13G filed on February 10, 2017.14, 2020.
(3)As disclosed in its Schedule 13G/A filed on February 12, 2020.


Table of ContentsSection 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and any certain persons owning more than 10% of the Company’sCSX common stock, to file certain reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Based solely on its review of the copies of Forms 3, 4 and 5, the Company believes that all reports required to be filed under Section 16(a) were made on a timely basis with respect to transactions that occurred during fiscal 2016, with the exception of untimely Forms 4, due to an administrative oversight, filed by Mr. Gooden on October 11, 2016 (relating to one transaction) and December 16, 2016 (relating to one transaction).2019.

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Notice of Electronic Availability of Proxy Materials

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 6, 2020. This Proxy Statement and the 2019 Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.

As permitted by rules adopted by the SEC, we are making our proxy materials available to our shareholders electronically via the Internet. We have mailed many of our shareholders a Notice containing instructions on how to access this Proxy Statement and the 2019 Annual Report and vote online. If you received a Notice by mail, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials in the mail. Instead, the Notice instructs you on how to access and review all of the important information contained in the Proxy Statement and the 2019 Annual Report. The Notice also instructs you on how you may submit your voting instructions over the Internet. If you received a Notice by mail and would like to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials included in the Notice.

Annual Report on Form 10-K

The 2019 Annual Report (without exhibits) is available onwww.csx.com. The 2019 Annual Report (with exhibits) is also available on the website maintained by the SEC(www.sec.gov).The information on or accessible through our website is not part of this Proxy Statement. You may submit a request for a printed version of the 2019 Annual Report in one of the following manners:

Equity Compensation Plan InformationSend your request by mail to CSX Corporation, Shareholder Relations, 500 Water Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202; or
Call CSX Shareholder Relations at (904) 359-3256.

The following table sets forth information aboutMarch 25, 2020

By Order of the Company’s equity compensation plans asBoard of December 30, 2016.Directors

Plan categoryNumber of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(in thousands)
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under equity
compensation plans(1)
(in thousands)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders4,58224.5727,949
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
TOTAL4,58224.5727,949

Nathan D. Goldman
(1)The number of shares remaining available for future issuance under plans approved by shareholders includes27,948,807shares available for grant in the form of stock options, performance grants, restricted stock, RSUs, stock appreciation rights and stock awards pursuant to the 2010 CSX Stock and Incentive Award Plan.
Executive Vice President-Chief Legal Officer
and Corporate Secretary

Other Matters

Neither the Board nor management intends to bring before the Annual Meeting any business other than the matters referred to in the Notice of Meeting and this Proxy Statement. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment thereof, the persons appointed in the accompanying proxy will vote the shares represented thereby in accordance with their best judgment.

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“Householding” of Proxy Materials

Additional Information   |   Householding of Proxy Materials

Householding of Proxy Materials

The SEC’s rules permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers, banks and other nominees) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements with respect to two or more security holders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those security holders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,”householding, potentially means extra convenience for security holders and cost savings for companies.

As in prior years, a number of brokers with account holders who are CSX shareholders will be “householding”householding our proxy materials. As indicated in the notice previously provided by these brokers to CSX shareholders, a single copy of the proxy materials will be delivered to multiple shareholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from an affected shareholder. Once you have received notice from your broker that it will be “householding”householding communications to your address, “householding”householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. Shareholders who participate in “householding”householding continue to receive separate proxy cards, voting instructions or notice of internet availability, as applicable, which will allow each individual to vote independently.

If you are a registered shareholder currently participating in householding and wish to receive a separate copy of the proxy materials, or if you would like to opt out of householding for future deliveries of your annual proxy materials, please contact us at CSX Corporation, Office of the Corporate Secretary, 500 Water Street, C160, Jacksonville, Florida 32202, or by telephone at (904) 359-3256. If a separate copy of this Proxy Statement and the 20162019 Annual Report is requested for the Annual Meeting, it will be mailed promptly following receipt of the request.

A street name shareholder who received a copy of the proxy materials at a shared address may request a separate copy of the Proxy Statement and the 20162019 Annual Report by contacting us at CSX Corporation, Office of the Corporate Secretary, 500 Water Street, C160, Jacksonville, Florida 32202, or by telephone at (904) 359-3256.

Street name shareholders sharing an address who received multiple copies of the annual proxy materials and wish to receive a single copy of these materials in the future should contact their broker, bank or other nominee to make this request. If you would like to opt out of householding for future deliveries of your annual proxy materials, please contact your broker, bank or other nominee.

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NoticeQWhat is the purpose of Electronic Availability of Proxy Materialsthe Annual Meeting?

ImportantA     At the Annual Meeting, shareholders will act upon the matters outlined in the Notice Regardingof Annual Meeting of Shareholders above, including the election of the 11 director nominees named in this Proxy Statement, the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of CSX for 2020 and the consideration of an advisory (non-binding) vote on compensation for our Named Executive Officers.


QHow can I participate in the Annual Meeting?

A     This year, CSX will host its virtual Annual Meeting at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) on Wednesday, May 6, 2020. There will be no physical location for shareholders to attend. Shareholders may participate online atwww.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CSX2020. The Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. (EDT). We encourage you to access the Annual Meeting prior to the start time. Online access will be available beginning at 9:45 a.m. (EDT).

To participate in the Annual Meeting, including to vote your shares electronically and submit questions during the Annual Meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or on your Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials forMaterials. Even if you plan to participate in the Annual Meeting, we recommend that you vote by proxy prior to the Annual Meeting so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to participate in the Annual Meeting.

The virtual meeting platform is fully supported across browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome and Safari) and devices (desktops, laptops, tablets and cell phones) running the most updated version of applicable software and plugins. Participants should ensure that they have a strong internet connection wherever they intend to participate in the Annual Meeting.


QHow can I submit a question?

A     If you would like to submit a question, you may do so before or during the Annual Meeting. If you would like to submit your question any time before the start of the meeting, you may log in towww.proxyvote.comand enter your 16-digit control number. Once past the login screen, click on “Question for Management,” type in your question, and click “Submit.” Alternatively, if you would like to submit your question during the Annual Meeting, you may log in to the virtual meeting website atwww.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CSX2020using your 16-digit control number, type your question into the “Ask a Question” field, and click “Submit,” or call 1-877-328-2502.

We do not place restrictions on the type or form of questions that may be asked; however, we reserve the right to edit or reject redundant questions or questions that we deem profane or otherwise inappropriate. During the live Q&A session of the Annual Meeting, we will answer questions as they come in and address those asked in advance, as time permits. Shareholders Meetingwill be limited to be held on June 5, 2017. Thisone question each unless time otherwise permits.

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Annual Meeting Questions & Answers

QWhat is the benefit of a virtual meeting?

A     The Board believes that a virtual meeting format will provide the opportunity for full and equal participation by all shareholders, from any location around the 2016world, while substantially reducing the costs associated with hosting an in-person meeting.

In order to encourage shareholder participation and transparency, CSX will:

provide shareholders with the ability to submit appropriate questions in advance of the Annual Meeting to ensure thoughtful responses from management and the Board;
provide shareholders with the ability to submit appropriate questions in real-time during the Annual Meeting through the virtual meeting website;
provide management with the ability to answer as many questions submitted in accordance with the meeting rules of conduct as possible in the time allotted for the Annual Meeting without discrimination; and
publish all appropriate questions submitted in accordance with the Annual Meeting rules of conduct with answers following the Annual Meeting, including those not addressed directly during the Annual Meeting.

CSX has considered concerns raised by investor advisory groups and other shareholder rights advocates that virtual meetings may diminish stockholder voice or reduce accountability. Accordingly, we have designed our virtual meeting format to enhance, rather than constrain, shareholder access, participation and communication. CSX believes its virtual meeting will afford a greater number of our shareholders the opportunity to participate in the Annual ReportMeeting while still affording participants the same rights they would have had at an in-person meeting and substantially reducing the time and expense associated with holding an in-person meeting.


QWhat if I have technical difficulties or trouble accessing the virtual meeting?

A     We will have technicians ready to assist you with any technical difficulties you may have accessing the virtual meeting. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during the check-in or meeting time, please call the technical support number that will be posted on Form 10-K arethe Virtual Shareholder Meeting log-in page or atwww.proxyvote.com. Technical support will be available starting at www.proxyvote.com.9:00 a.m. EDT on May 6, 2020.


QWhy did I receive a notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials instead of a full set of proxy materials?

As permitted byA     In accordance with rules adopted by the SEC,Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we are making ourmay furnish proxy materials, available to our shareholders electronically via the Internet. We have mailed many of our shareholders a Notice containing instructions on how to accessincluding this Proxy Statement and our 2019 Annual Report, and vote online. If you received a Noticeto our shareholders by mail, youproviding access to such documents on the Internet instead of mailing printed copies. Most shareholders will not receive a printed copycopies of the proxy materials in the mail.unless requested. Instead, the Notice, which was mailed to most of our shareholders, instructs you onas to how toyou may access and review all of the important information contained inproxy materials on the Proxy Statement and Annual Report.Internet. The Notice also instructs you onas to how you may submit your voting instructions overproxy on the Internet. If you received a Notice by mail and would like to receive a printedpaper or email copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials included in the Notice.

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Annual Meeting Questions & Answers

Annual Report on Form 10-KQHow do I get electronic access to the proxy materials?

Our 2016 Annual Report (without exhibits) is availableA     The Notice provides you with instructions onwww.csx.com. Our 2016 Annual Report (with exhibits) is also available on the website maintained by the SEC (www.sec.gov). The information on or accessible through our website is not part of this Proxy Statement. You may submit a request for a printed version of the 2016 Annual Report in one of the following manners: how to:

Send your request by mail to CSX Corporation, Investor Relations, 500 Water Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202; or

view CSX’s proxy materials for the Annual Meeting on the Internet; and

Callinstruct CSX Investor Relations at (904) 366-5353.to send future proxy materials to you electronically by email.

Choosing to receive your future proxy materials by email will save us the cost of printing and mailing documents to you and will reduce the impact of the printing and mailing of these materials on the environment. If you choose to receive future proxy materials by email, you will receive an email next year with instructions containing a link to those materials and a link to the proxy voting site. Your election to receive proxy materials by email will remain in effect until terminated.


QWho is soliciting my vote?

A     The Board of Directors of CSX (the “Board”) is soliciting your vote on matters being submitted for shareholder approval at the Annual Meeting. The Company will pay the costs of preparing proxy materials and soliciting proxies, including the reimbursement, upon request, of trustees, brokerage firms, banks and other nominee record holders for the reasonable expenses they incur to forward proxy materials to beneficial owners. In addition to using mail, proxies may be solicited in person, by telephone or by electronic communication by officers and employees of the Company acting without special compensation.


QWho is entitled to vote?

A     Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 6, 2020 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof, unless a new record date is set in connection with any such adjournments or postponements. On March 6, 2020, there were issued and outstanding 770,711,122 shares of CSX common stock, the only outstanding class of voting securities of the Company.


QHow many votes do I have?

A     You will have one vote for every share of CSX common stock you owned at the close of business on the Record Date.


QHow many shares must be present to hold the Annual Meeting?

A     The Company’s bylaws provide that a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote constitutes a quorum at any meeting of shareholders. If a share is represented for any purpose at the Annual Meeting, it is deemed to be present for the transaction of all business. Abstentions and shares held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee that are voted on any matter are included in determining the number of shares present.

Shares held by a broker, bank or other nominee that are not voted on any matter at the Annual Meeting (“broker non-vote”) will not be included in determining whether a quorum is present.

Your vote is important and we urge you to vote by proxy even if you plan to participate in the Annual Meeting.

66       CSX Corporation 2020 Proxy Statement


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Annual Meeting Questions & Answers

QWhat are the vote requirements for each proposal?

A     Election of Directors.In an uncontested election, a director is elected by a majority of votes cast for his or her election by the shares entitled to vote at a meeting at which a quorum is present. In accordance with the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, in an uncontested election, any incumbent director nominated for re-election as a director who is not re-elected in accordance with the Company’s bylaws is required to promptly tender his or her resignation for consideration following certification of the shareholder vote. For more information on the procedures in these circumstances, seePrinciples of Corporate Governance.

Other Proposals.The proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2020 (Item 2) and the proposal to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, of the compensation of the Company’s NEOs (Item 3) will be approved if the votes cast in favor of the proposal exceed the votes cast against the proposal.

Abstentions are not considered votes cast on any proposal and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote for Items 1, 2, or 3. “Broker non-votes” are not considered votes cast on Items 1 or 3, and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote. Brokers will have discretionary voting power regarding Item 2 in the event that beneficial owners, who own their shares in “street name,” do not provide voting instructions regarding Item 2.


QHow do I vote?

A     To vote by proxy, you must do one of the following:

Vote by Internet.If you are a shareholder of record, you can vote your shares via the Internet 24 hours a day by following the instructions in the Notice. The website address for Internet voting is indicated in the Notice. If you are a beneficial owner, or you hold your shares in “street name” (that is, through a bank, broker or other nominee), please check your voting instruction card or contact your bank, broker or nominee to determine whether you will be able to vote via the Internet.

Vote by Telephone.If you are a shareholder of record, you can vote your shares by telephone 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-690-6903 on a touch-tone telephone. Easy-to-follow voice prompts enable you to vote your shares and confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded. If you are a beneficial owner, or you hold your shares in “street name,” please check your voting instruction card or contact your bank, broker or nominee to determine whether you will be able to vote by telephone.

Vote by Mail.If you requested printed proxy materials and choose to vote by mail, complete, sign, date and return your proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided if you are a shareholder of record or your voting instruction card if you hold your shares in “street name.” Please promptly mail your proxy card or voting instruction card to ensure that it is received prior to the Annual Meeting.

To vote during the Annual Meeting, you must visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CSX2020 at the time of the Annual Meeting and enter the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or on your Notice. Even if you plan to participate in the Annual Meeting, we recommend that you vote by proxy as described above prior to the Annual Meeting so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to participate in the Annual Meeting.

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Annual Meeting Questions & Answers

Q

Can I change my vote?

AprilA     Yes. If you are a shareholder of record, you may change your vote or revoke your proxy any time before it is voted (i) by delivering written notice to CSX Corporation, Office of the Corporate Secretary, 500 Water Street, C160, Jacksonville, Florida 32202, (ii) by timely receipt of a later-dated signed proxy card or written revocation, or (iii) by a later vote via the Internet, by telephone or by voting at the Annual Meeting using the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or your Notice. If you hold your shares in “street name,” you should follow the instructions provided by your bank, broker or other nominee if you wish to change your vote.


Q

Will my shares be voted if I do not provide voting instructions to my broker?

A     If you hold your shares in “street name” through a bank, broker or other nominee, the bank, broker or other nominee is required to vote those shares in accordance with your instructions. If you do not give instructions to the banker, broker or other nominee, the bank, broker or other nominee will be entitled to vote your shares with respect to “discretionary” items but will not be permitted to vote your shares with respect to “non-discretionary” items (those shares are treated as “broker non-votes”).

The proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as CSX’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2020 is considered a routine matter for which a bank, broker or other nominee will have discretionary voting power if you do not give instructions with respect to this proposal. The proposals to: (i) elect directors; and (ii) vote on an advisory (non-binding) resolution on executive compensation are non-routine matters for which a bank, broker or other nominee will not have discretionary voting power and for which specific instructions from owners who hold their shares in “street name” are required in order for a broker to vote your shares.


Q

What happens if I return my proxy card but do not give voting instructions?

A     If you are a shareholder of record and sign, date and return the proxy card but do not give voting instructions, the shares represented by that proxy will be voted as recommended by the Board.

The Board unanimously recommends a vote:

1. 
FORthe election of the 11 director nominees named in this Proxy Statement;
2. 
FORthe ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as CSX’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2020; and
3. 
FORthe approval, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, of the compensation of the Named Executive Officers as disclosed in these materials.

Q

What happens if other matters are properly presented at the Annual Meeting?

A     If any other matters are properly presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxies on the enclosed proxy card will have discretion to vote on those matters for you. On the date we filed this Proxy Statement with the SEC, the Board did not know of any other matters to be brought before the Annual Meeting.

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Annual Meeting Questions & Answers

Q

How are votes counted?

A     Votes are counted by an independent inspector of elections appointed by the Company.


Q

What happens if the Annual Meeting is postponed or adjourned?

A     Unless a new record date has been fixed, your proxy will still be in effect and may be voted at the reconvened meeting. You will still be able to change your vote or revoke your proxy with respect to any item until the polls have closed for voting on such item.


Q

What is the deadline for consideration of shareholder proposals for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders?

A     Shareholder Proposals for Inclusion in Next Year’s Proxy Statement.A shareholder who wants to submit a proposal to be included in the proxy statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2021 Annual Meeting”) must send the proposal to CSX Corporation, Office of the Corporate Secretary, 500 Water Street, C160, Jacksonville, Florida, 32202, so that it is received on or before November 23, 2020, unless the date of the 2021 Annual Meeting is changed by more than 30 days from May 6, 2021, in which case the proposal must be received a reasonable time before the Company begins to print and mail its proxy materials for the 2021 Annual Meeting.

Shareholder Proposals or Director Nominees Not to be Included in Next Year’s Proxy Statement.A shareholder who wants to nominate a director or submit a proposal that will not be in the proxy statement but will be considered at the 2021 Annual Meeting, pursuant to the CSX bylaws, must send it to the principal office of CSX so that it is received no earlier than the close of business on January 4, 2021, nor later than the close of business on February 5, 2021, unless the date of the 2021 Annual Meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 70 days after May 6, 2021, in which case the nomination or proposal must be received no earlier than the 120th day prior to the date of the 2020 Annual Meeting and no later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the date of the 2021 Annual Meeting or the 10th day following the day on which the Company first publicly announces the date of the 2021 Annual Meeting.

Director Nominees for Inclusion in Next Year’s Proxy Statement (Proxy Access).The Company’s bylaws provide “proxy access” by allowing a shareholder, or a group of up to 20 2017shareholders, owning 3% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock continuously for at least three years to submit director nominees (up to the greater of two directors or the number of directors representing 20% of the Board) for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement, subject to the other requirements set forth in the bylaws. To include a director nominee in the Company’s proxy statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting, the proposing shareholder(s) must send notice and the required information to CSX Corporation, Office of the Corporate Secretary, 500 Water Street, C160, Jacksonville, Florida, 32202, so that it is received by November 23, 2020.


Q

Does the Board consider director nominees recommended by shareholders?

A     

By OrderYes. The Governance Committee of the Board will review recommendations as to possible nominees received from shareholders and other qualified sources. The Governance Committee will evaluate possible nominees received from shareholders using the same criteria it uses for other director nominees. Shareholder recommendations should be submitted in writing addressed to the Chair of Directorsthe Governance Committee, CSX Corporation, 500 Water Street, C160, Jacksonville, Florida 32202, and should include a statement about the qualifications and experience of the proposed nominee. Shareholders who wish to nominate a director nominee should do so in accordance with the nomination provisions of the Company’s bylaws. A shareholder nomination for the 2021 Annual Meeting must be delivered to the Company within the time periods described above and set forth in the Company’s bylaws.

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Ellen M. Fitzsimmons

Executive Vice President-Law and Public Affairs
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary













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92


 
CSX CORPORATION
C/O BROADRIDGE
P.O. BOX 1342
BRENTWOOD, NY 11717


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CSX CORPORATION
C/O BROADRIDGE
P.O. BOX 1342
BRENTWOOD, NY 11717

SCAN TO
VIEW MATERIALS & VOTE
   

VOTE BY INTERNET
Before The Meeting- Go towww.proxyvote.com/csxor scan the QR Barcode above

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 4, 2017.May 5, 2020. Follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

During The Meeting- Go toELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CSX2020
If you would like to reduce

You may attend the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronicallymeeting via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and when prompted, indicatevote during the meeting. Have the information that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronicallyis printed in future years.the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions.

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903
Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 4, 2017.May 5, 2020. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.



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TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:
E06413-P72320          E97761-P35163KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS
DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.

CSX CORPORATION

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR
Proposals 1, 2 3 and 4. The Board is not making a recommendation with respect to Proposal 5.3.
 
1.Election of Directors
 
Nominees:ForAgainstAbstain
 
1a.Donna M. Alvarado
 
1b.John B. Breaux
1c.Pamela L. Carter
1c.James M. Foote
 
1d.Steven T. Halverson
 
1e.E. Hunter Harrison
1f.Paul C. Hilal
 
1g.Edward J. Kelly, III
1h.1f.John D. McPherson
 
1i.1g.David M. Moffett
 
1j.Dennis H. Reilley
1k.1h.Linda H. Riefler
1i.Suzanne M. Vautrinot
 
1l.1j.J. Steven Whisler
 
1m.1k.John J. Zillmer



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ForAgainstAbstain
 
For address changes and/or comments, please check this box and write them on the back where indicated.

Note: Please sign as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such.
ForAgainstAbstain
2.The ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2017; and2020; and;
ForAgainstAbstain
3.Advisory (non-binding) resolution to approve compensation for the Company's named executive officers.
One yearTwo yearsThree yearsAbstain
4.Advisory (non-binding) resolution to approve the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation
ForAgainstAbstain
5.Advisory (non-binding) resolution concerning the reimbursement arrangements sought in connection with the retention of E. Hunter Harrison as CEO at CSX

YesNo
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For address changes and/or comments, please check this box and write them on the back where indicated.

In appreciation for submitting your vote for the CSX Annual Meeting and to further our commitment to environmental stewardship, a tree will be planted on your behalf in a protected park or wildlife refuge.



Thank You!



 
Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]Date
 
Signature (Joint Owners)Date

Note: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such.




Table of Contents






Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:
The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com/csx.




E06414-P72320
E97762-P35163

CSX CORPORATION
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
to be held on June 5, 2017May 6, 2020

The undersigned hereby appoints ELLEN M. FITZSIMMONSNATHAN D. GOLDMAN and MARK D. AUSTIN, and each of them, as proxies, each with full power of substitution, to act and vote the shares which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be heldhosted online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CSX2020 on June 5, 2017,May 6, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. (EDT), at The Jefferson Hotel, 101 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220, and at all adjournments or postponements thereof, and authorizes them to represent and to vote all stock of the undersigned on the proposals listed on the reverse side of this card as directed and, in their discretion, upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting, all as more fully described in the Proxy Statement.

The proxy will be voted as directed. If no direction is made, the proxy will be voted: (a) "FOR" proposalsProposals 1, 2 and 3; (b) "one year" for proposal 4; and (c) as an abstention on proposal 5.3. Your Internet or telephone vote authorizes the named proxies to vote the shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card. If you vote your proxy via the Internet or by telephone, please DO NOT mail back this proxy card. Proxies submitted by telephone or the Internet must be received by 11:59 P.M.p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, June 4, 2017.Tuesday, May 5, 2020.

Address Changes/Comments: 
 
(If you noted any Address Changes/Comments above, please mark corresponding box on the reverse side.)

Continued and to be signed on reverse side