Union Pacific elects Lance Fritz chairman of the board; places executives in new roles

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

Union Pacific's board of directors elected Lance Fritz chairman, president and chief executive officer, effective October 1.

 

Fritz was named president and chief operating officer February 6, 2014. He was executive vice president operations from 2010-2014 and previously served as vice president labor relations. Prior to that, he was regional vice president Southern Region after serving as regional vice president Northern Region. Fritz began his career with Union Pacific in July 2000 in marketing and sales as vice president and general manager energy.

He succeeds John Koraleski, 64, as chairman. Koraleski plans to retire September 30 after a 43-year career at Union Pacific, in which he served as executive chairman; chairman, president and chief executive officer; executive vice president – marketing and sales; executive vice president – finance and information technology and others.

Among his many achievements, Koraleski was named by Institutional Investor as 2014’s No. 1 chief executive officer in the Airfreight and Surface Transportation sector and his advocacy was critical in helping Union Pacific form its women’s employee resource group more than 20 years ago. Koraleski will continue to serve on the national advisory committee for the College of Business Administration at the University of Nebraska Omaha, as well as several boards and advisory committees including the Heritage Services board of directors and the STRATCOM Consultation Committee.

“Lance has demonstrated the leadership skills and vision necessary to create value for all of our stakeholders,” said Steven Rogel, Union Pacific’s lead independent director. “Following a thorough review of our governance structure, we determined that now is the right time for Lance to become chairman. The board supports the strategy and direction he is setting for Union Pacific and is confident we have the best management team in place to continue delivering industry-leading customer service and strong shareholder returns.

“On behalf of the entire board, I want to express our sincere thanks to Jack for his leadership, dedication and contributions. His retirement will mark a long and successful career that made Union Pacific a stronger company than when he joined it. We wish him the best.”

Additionally, Union Pacific elected Scott Moore senior vice president – corporate relations, effective September 1. He will have companywide responsibility for internal and external communications, public affairs, media relations, brand management and advertising. Moore will serve as president of the Union Pacific Foundation. He has been vice president – public affairs for Union Pacific’s western region, based in Roseville, Calif., since August 2007. Moore joined Union Pacific in 2000 as director – government affairs. He is a former Nebraska Secretary of State and a state senator.

He succeeds Robert Turner, who plans to retire October 1. Turner, who joined the company in 2000, developed Union Pacific’s award-winning Building America campaign that remains embedded in the company’s culture and the centerpiece of its brand. He built the company’s public affairs organization that serves all 23 states in which Union Pacific operates and is president of the Union Pacific Foundation.

“Bob Turner made many significant contributions to Union Pacific, especially in building relationships with the more than 7,300 communities we serve,” Fritz said. “We will miss his insights and guidance but wish him all the best in his retirement.

Union Pacific also elected Todd Rynaski as chief accounting officer, vice president and controller effective September 1. Rynaski has been assistant vice president – accounting since January 2014. Prior to that, he was assistant vice president – financial reporting and analysis. Rynaski joined Union Pacific in 1995 and held positions in corporate audit, planning and analysis, revenue accounting and information technology.

Rynaski succeeds Jeffrey Totusek, who plans to retire in 2016. Totusek will help transition the vice president and controller responsibilities as vice president – finance until he retires. Totusek has been chief accounting officer, vice president and controller since January 2008. Prior to that, he was assistant vice president – financial analysis since 1998. Totusek joined Union Pacific in 1985.

“Jeff Totusek’s combination of business knowledge and financial acumen has been instrumental in Union Pacific’s success, particularly in his role as chief accounting officer,” Fritz said. “We will benefit greatly from his support during this transition period.”

 

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