MaryBeth Flournoy Wins the 2025 GIS WebTech
Technology Leadership Award

GIS WebTech is proud to announce that MaryBeth Flournoy, Industrial Development leader at Norfolk Southern, has been named the recipient of the 2025 GIS WebTech Technology Leadership Award.

Nominated by Craig Hudson, Group Vice President of Industrial Development, MaryBeth was recognized for her visionary leadership in integrating GIS WebTech’s technology into Norfolk Southern’s industrial development strategy—making the company the only Class I railroad in the nation to leverage this technology in such a transformative way.

Her work has redefined how railroads engage in site selection and industrial development, positioning Norfolk Southern as a forward-thinking, data-driven partner in the location advisory process.

Driving Innovation in Rail-Enabled Site Selection

Over the past year, MaryBeth led the relaunch of the NSites platform, a powerful digital tool showcasing rail-served industrial opportunities across Norfolk Southern’s 22-state network. Under her direction, NSites evolved from a regional platform into a strategic national asset, expanding visibility and accessibility for site selectors, communities, and prospective customers throughout the eastern United States.

MaryBeth recognized early on the transformative potential of NSites and spearheaded enhancements that expanded its visualization and analytical capabilities. These improvements have elevated Norfolk Southern’s ability to communicate the value of its industrial development initiatives—turning NSites into a cornerstone of the company’s marketing and outreach efforts.

Expanding Reach Through Strategic Partnerships

MaryBeth’s leadership has also strengthened Norfolk Southern’s collaborations with key industry organizations, including the Site Selectors Guild, Site Selection Magazine, and Area Development Magazine. Through these partnerships, NSites now serves as a bridge connecting communities and site selectors with rail-enabled opportunities that drive economic growth.

Her team’s creative use of GIS WebTech’s platform has even extended into innovative digital marketing approaches—such as geofencing at major industry events—ensuring that NSites and Norfolk Southern’s capabilities reach the right audiences with precision and impact.

Recognizing Transformative Leadership

Thanks to MaryBeth’s strategic insight and commitment to innovation, Norfolk Southern can now deliver rail-served site intelligence directly to key decision-makers, strengthening its role as a catalyst for industrial development across the eastern U.S.

Her combination of technical acumen, marketing creativity, and deep industry expertise makes her a standout leader and a true ambassador for the power of GIS technology in economic development.

Congratulations to MaryBeth Flournoy, winner of the 2025 GIS WebTech Technology Leadership Award, for setting a new standard in how technology and transportation intersect to shape the future of site selection.