CN appoints senior managers focused on efficiency and customer service standards
Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
Left to right, John Orr, Doug MacDonald and Keith Reardon
Canadian National Railway (CN) has made new senior management appointments, which were announced Aug. 15 by CN’s JJ Ruest, president and CEO.
“Amid solid market demand, we aim to grow faster than the broader economy,” Ruest said. “These outstanding CN leaders will enhance our precision scheduled railroad model — one we developed and that redefined the industry — to new levels of operating efficiency and superior supply chain customer service.”
Doug MacDonald and Keith Reardon, two veteran commercial leaders, will head CN’s sales and marketing initiatives and all non-rail supply chain operations, such as intermodal container terminals and transload facilities, to produce solid supply chain services that CN said would compete across various markets.
John Orr, an experienced operator throughout CN’s three regions, has been named senior vice president and chief transportation officer. Orr will oversee the Class 1’s daily rail operations, in addition to work pushing network velocity, driving cost leadership and boosting production in gross ton miles, CN said.
“Our ONE TEAM is acting with a sense of urgency, aligning with a dynamic marketplace, utilizing CN’s expanding capacity, and deploying technology in pursuit of new cost efficiencies and increased safety,” Ruest said. “With decades of experience executing our proven operating model, Doug, Keith and John together strengthen our ability to meet the demands of our customers. These appointments, from within our ranks, show the leadership depth throughout the company, as we remain focused on long-term succession planning and development of future CN leaders.”
MacDonald, who previously served vice president of bulk, was tapped to serve as senior vice-president, rail centric supply chain growth. He will manage the execution and expansion of bulk and merchandise carload businesses, CN said.
Reardon, the previous vice president of intermodal and automotive, has become senior vice president, consumer product supply chain growth, and will oversee the execution and expansion of intermodal and automotive businesses.
MacDonald and Reardon will report directly to the president and CEO and will lead the commercial teams and non-rail operations in their respective supply chains.
The new appointees are set to directly manage their supply chain performance and have the ability to adapt all last-mile services for customers, CN said.
Reporting directly to Mike Cory, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Orr will lead daily scheduled railroad operations in the field across the railroad’s three regions and the network operations group, the company said.
Orr, who most recently served as senior vice president of CN’s Southern Region, is set to focus on the velocity of assets, cost efficiency and safety as the railroad aims to move higher volumes.
As chief operating officer, Cory will continue managing all CN railway operations. Cory is also expected to focus on the transformation of the railroad’s engineering and mechanical functions and the strategic widespread implementation of new technology in the field to maximize network resiliency and safety.
Derek Taylor, previously general manager of CN’s Southern Region Operations Center, has also been promoted to serve as vice president of CN’s Southern Region, based in Homewood, Ill.
