Union Pacific today announced a number of senior management changes in its Operating and Labor Relations departments.
Tom Jacobi has been named vice president-Operating Systems and Practices. In this newly created position, Jacobi will lead Union Pacific's Network Reliability project, which implements Technology Driven Operations such as Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) and other strategic initiatives for all aspects of field operations and operating practices. Jacobi began his career with the Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1977 and has held numerous Operating roles including vice president-Premium Operations, assistant vice president-Northern Region and assistant vice president-Safety and Operating Practices.
Succeeding Jacobi as regional vice president-Operations for the Western Region will be Ken Hunt, former assistant vice president-Operations for the Western Region. Hunt will be based in Roseville, Calif., and responsible for the day-to-day operations of trains over the 10,000-mile Western Region in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. He has held several positions in the Operating Department, including manager of terminal operations, director of quality and general superintendent of transportation services in Portland, Ore., before being named assistant vice president-Operations in August 2005. Hunt started his career with the Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1981.
Rick Turner joins the Labor Relations Department following a number of assignments in Marketing and Sales as well as Operations, most recently as vice president-Premium Operations. Other positions include vice president-National Customer Service Center and general manager-Car Management. In his new position, Turner will be responsible for negotiating, interpreting and applying the collective bargaining agreements covering operating crafts in the UP system. He joined the Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1981.
Dennis Jacobson has been named vice president-Premium Operations. In his new role, Jacobson will oversee Intermodal and Automotive Operations including terminal facilities, equipment distribution, capacity planning and premium service delivery. Jacobson joined the company in 1972 and has held positions in Operating and Marketing and Sales including vice president-Operating Services, vice president-Harriman Dispatching Center and Crew Management, assistant vice president-Service Design and General Director Customer Service.
Ken Sito has been named chief engineer for the Southern Region, replacing Jerry Rugg who is retiring after 34 years of service. Sito most recently served as the general director-Maintenance of Way for the Western Region and has held a variety of field and staff engineering positions since joining the Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1976. He will be responsible for overseeing the daily track, bridge and signal maintenance for 8,500 miles of the Southern Region including Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas. Succeeding Sito will be Trent Allen, whose previous assignment was director-Track Maintenance in Roseville.
These organizational changes will become effective September 1.
About Union Pacific
Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America's leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country and serves the fastest-growing U.S. population centers. Union Pacific's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad offers competitive long-haul routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways. Union Pacific connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico, making it North America's premier rail franchise.