KCS operations department undergoes reorganization

Kansas City Southern has reorganized several of its operations department functions.

“These organizational changes will ensure the U.S. operating team is well structured and prepared to manage our rapidly growing business. We continue to develop our team internally and grow individuals with tremendous leadership capabilities to build a stronger KCS,” said KCS executive vice president and chief operating officer Dave Ebbrecht.

Steve Truitt, previously assistant vice president of Shreveport Terminal, will move into the newly-created position vice president safety training and standards. In this role, Truitt is responsible for safe operating practices and other workplace safety matters, as well as implementation and enforcement of operating rules and standards for all of KCS’ U.S. operating departments. Truitt will also lead the environmental group and the Shreveport, La., Transportation Engineering and Mechanical (TEaM) Training Center. He has 31 years of railroad experience and joined KCS in 2011 and has also held operations positions with CSX and Union Pacific.

Gregory Walling’s position of assistant vice president was expanded to vice president network planning. Walling has 13 years of railroad experience and joined KCS in 2006 and also held operations positions with Norfolk Southern.

Within Walling’s group, Olivia Daily will move from capacity planning analyst to assistant vice president network design and optimization. She is now responsible for KCS’ service design and measurement disciplines, as well as long-term planning for the physical capacity of the network. Daily joined KCS in 2010 from YRC Worldwide.

Kelly King has moved from director of network planning to the newly-created position assistant vice president advanced systems. She is responsible for KCS’ implementation of positive train control and other real-time technology initiatives. King joined KCS in 2010.

Timothy Ott was promoted from director field transportation to assistant vice president of the Southeast Division. Ott has 29 years of transportation experience and joined KCS in 2010 and has also held operations positions with CF and YRC Worldwide.

Eloy Sanchez was promoted from director field transportation to assistant vice president of the Southwest Division. Sanchez has 16 years of railroad experience and joined Texas Mexican Railway Company, now a subsidiary of KCS, in 1997.

In addition to these promotions, assistant vice presidents Mike Curry moved from the Midwest Division to the Network Operations Center; Chad Devenney moved from the Network Operations Center to the Midwest Division and Rick Pennington moved from the Southeast Division to Shreveport Terminal.