Union Pacific named D. Lynn Kelley, Ph.D., vice president of continuous improvement effective July 1. She succeeds Richard McClish, who is retiring and will report to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim Young.

"Lynn brings process improvement expertise that should create new ways for Union Pacific to deliver safety, service and efficiency to our operations, which will translate into providing even greater value to our customers," Young said. "Her breadth of experience gained working in diversified business groups will bring new perspectives to the railroad."

Kelley will be responsible for Union Pacific's continuous improvement, industrial engineering and quality processes. She joins the railroad from Textron Inc., where she served as vice president of operational excellence, overseeing the company's engineering, operations, procurement, quality and continuous improvement councils.