01:04:11 EDT Sat 18 May 2024
Enter Symbol
or Name
USA
CA



Canadian National Railway Company
Symbol CNR
Shares Issued 651,172,734
Close 2023-10-17 C$ 148.58
Market Cap C$ 96,751,244,818
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CN Railway appoints Whitehead, Taylor as EVPs

2023-10-18 09:09 ET - News Release

Ms. Tracy Robinson reports

CN ANNOUNCES COO SUCCESSION AND EVOLUTION OF OPERATING STRUCTURE

Canadian National Railway Company has appointed Patrick Whitehead as executive vice-president and chief network operating officer and Derek Taylor as executive vice-president and chief field operating officer. Their appointments are effective as of Nov. 15. Mr. Whitehead and Mr. Taylor will succeed Ed Harris who will take on a consultant role until March 31, 2024, to ensure a seamless transition.

The evolution of CN's operations organization recognizes the distinction in focus and capabilities between the development of the plan, including building its network for the future, and the day-to-day demands of safely executing the plan. The innovative structure will help drive a greater intensity in delivering profitable growth through the cost-effective expansion of CN's network infrastructure, where needed, and continuing improvements to customer service as the company sells into its capacity. It will also allow for the simultaneous refinement of CN's long-term fleet plan, reflecting the company's decarbonization ambitions, and the continued deployment of operating technologies to enhance safety and efficiency.

Mr. Whitehead will make the plan as he takes on leadership of network operations, mechanical, engineering and the corporate safety team, including CN's two operations training centres. Mr. Taylor will run the plan with system-wide leadership for transportation and intermodal operations. CN intends to continue to refine this structure over time to align additional responsibilities under both roles as future phases of the transformation are executed. A key deliverable for both Mr. Whitehead and Mr. Taylor is the continuing development of talent, as CN continues to ensure it is the employer of choice by becoming more modern, innovative and reflective of the diversity of the communities in which it operates.

"I am very pleased to appoint Pat and Derek to these enterprise leadership roles. These appointments are the next evolution of our make the plan, run the plan, sell the plan operating model. With this new structure and leadership in place, we are well positioned to achieve the sustainable, profitable growth outlined in our 2024 to 2026 plan. I want to thank Ed for his significant contribution to CN and to the railroad industry over the last 50 years and for his collaboration in imagining and developing the evolution of the operating team structure. Pat and Derek were privileged to learn directly from him. His legacy is in the best hands," said Tracy Robinson, president and chief executive officer.

"Pat and Derek are accomplished railroaders with over half a century of combined experience. Their proven track records of co-operating and leading complementary teams serve as a model of cross-functional integration and collaboration. I am confident that they are up to the task of evolving CN's scheduled railroading model to sustain growth while ensuring the efficient day-to-day safe execution of the plan," said Mr. Harris, outgoing executive vice-president and chief operating officer.

Mr. Whitehead and Mr. Taylor will be based in CN's operational centres in Edmonton and Chicago, respectively. They will also have offices in Montreal where they will spend a part of their time.

Biographical notes

Mr. Whitehead, 48, is responsible for making CN's operational plan. Based at CN's operational centre in Edmonton, Alta., Mr. Whitehead is an accomplished executive with over 30 years of railway experience, over 25 of which have been in management positions in transportation and mechanical operations. He joined CN in 2021 as general manager in Chicago. Prior to joining CN, Mr. Whitehead was vice-president, transportation, for Norfolk Southern Railway. Mr. Whitehead was appointed senior vice-president, network operations, in June, 2022. Mr. Whitehead will complete the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business Advanced Management Program on Oct. 20. Mr. Whitehead holds a master of science degree in transportation management from the University of Denver and is currently taking French classes.

Mr. Taylor, 46, is responsible for running CN's operational plan. Based at CN's operational centre in Homewood, Ill., Mr. Taylor is a proven strong leader in transportation with over 20 years of experience at CN. He joined the company as a management trainee in Winnipeg, Man., in 2000 and since then has held progressively more senior leadership roles across the organization. He served as general manager in Fond du Lac, Wis., and in Homewood, Ill., and was vice-president, transportation, for the Southern and Eastern regions at different times. As vice-president, operational excellence, in 2022, he was responsible for driving continuous improvement across CN's key operating metrics. Mr. Taylor was appointed senior vice-president, transportation, in November, 2022. Mr. Taylor, who is currently taking French classes, holds a bachelor of arts degree from DePauw University in Indiana.

About Canadian National Railway Company

CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade enabler. Essential to the economy, to the customers and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products and finished goods throughout North America every year. CN's network connects Canada's Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. South through an 18,600-mile rail network; CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

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