Jim Vena new COO...40 years at CN and now to oversee Unified 2020...after Fritz gave an interview saying we didn't need anyone from CSX or wherever else to implement PSR.
"UP Names Jim Vena Chief Operating Officer
Union Pacific today named Jim Vena chief operating officer, effective Jan. 14. He served as executive vice president and chief operating officer at Canadian National (CN) until retiring in June 2016 after a 40-year CN career.
Vena will lead all aspects of UP’s operations, including Unified Plan 2020 implementation, the company’s new operating plan that launched in October 2018. He will report to Lance Fritz, Union Pacific chairman, president and chief executive officer.
“I am thrilled with the way the Operating team has embraced Unified Plan 2020, and the great work our team has been doing rolling it out,” Fritz said. “Adding Jim’s vast knowledge of the precision scheduled railroading model brings significant experience and expertise that will enhance the work already underway.”
During Vena’s tenure as executive vice president and chief operating officer, Canadian National generated the North American rail industry’s best operating ratio and achieved the best safety incident ratio in the company’s history. Vena started his railroad career as a brakeman and held progressively increasing responsibilities in Canadian National’s operations as well as marketing and sales groups, including leading all of CN’s operating regions.
Tom Lischer, Union Pacific’s executive vice president-Operations, and Lynden Tennison, executive vice president and chief strategy officer, will report to Vena. Tennison continues his role as chief information officer, so in the interim the information technology department also reports to Vena.
“Tom, Lynden and their teams have collaborated very well to establish the platform for our early Unified Plan 2020 successes,” Fritz said. “Their roles remain critical, in both the near term and the long term, as we continue implementing Unified Plan 2020 and develop a broader strategic plan to take Union Pacific into the future.”"