UP makes operating department changes

Union Pacific made operating department changes, which will be effective October 1.

Joe Santamaria has been named vice president engineering, where he will lead track, infrastructure and signal systems design, construction and maintenance. Santamaria currently serves as vice president transportation. He previously held roles as regional vice president and chief mechanical officer.

Randy Blackburn has been named vice president transportation, succeeding Santamaria. Blackburn will oversee transportation field operations across Union Pacific’s 32,000-mile system. He currently serves as regional vice president northern region. Blackburn also has been vice president and general manager intermodal and vice president premium operations.

David Connell has been named regional vice president northern region, succeeding Blackburn. Connell will be responsible for leading safe operations, executing the company’s transportation plan and delivering customer service across the region’s 12,000-mile network. He currently serves as vice president engineering, where his team has reduced slow orders by 75 percent during the railroad’s unprecedented capital investment program.

“The experience and perspectives Joe, Randy and David bring to their new assignments will be invaluable, strengthening our organizational capabilities and creating a stronger Union Pacific,” said Lance Fritz, executive vice president operations. “I am excited about the value these appointments can deliver for our company, customers and shareholders.”