June 12 (Reuters) - Railroad operator Norfolk Southern ( NSC )

said on Thursday it had elected former Delta Air Lines

CEO Richard Anderson as the independent chair of the board

effective immediately.

Anderson will additionally serve as chair of the Executive

Committee and Strategy & Planning Committee, the company said.

The aviation veteran's appointment comes after Claude

Mongeau resigned from the U.S. railway operator's board as

chairman earlier this month, citing personal reasons.

In May last year, activist hedge fund Ancora Holdings won

backing from Norfolk Southern ( NSC ) shareholders for board

representation, resulting in Anderson's appointment to the

company's board.