CN announces COO succession, evolution of operating structure

CN today announced the appointment of Patrick Whitehead as executive vice president and chief network operating officer and the appointment of Derek Taylor as EVP and chief field operating officer.

Effective Nov. 15, Whitehead and Taylor will succeed EVP and Chief Operating Officer Ed Harris, who will take on a consultant role until March 31, 2024, to ensure a seamless transition, CN officials said in a press release.

The evolution of CN's operations organization recognizes the distinction in focus and capabilities between the development of the plan, including building the Class I's network for the future, and the day-to-day demands of executing the plan, company officials said.

The structure is designed to help drive profitable growth through a cost-effective expansion of CN’s network infrastructure, where needed, and ongoing improvements to customer service. The structure also refines CN’s long-term fleet plan, reflecting decarbonization ambitions and the continued deployment of operating technologies to enhance safety and efficiency, they said.

"These appointments are the next evolution of our 'Make the Plan, Run the Plan, Sell the Plan’ operating model," said CN president and CEO Tracy Robinson. "With this new structure and leadership in place, we are well-positioned to achieve the sustainable, profitable growth outlined in our 2024-2026 plan."

Whitehead will "make the plan," as he takes on leadership of network operations, mechanical, engineer and the corporate safety team. Taylor will "run the plan" as he leads transportation and intermodal operations system-wide, CN officials said.

Whitehead joined CN in 2021 as general manager in Chicago. He has more than 30 years of railroad experience, more than 25 of which have been in management positions in transportation and mechanical operations. Prior to joining the company, he was VP of transportation at Norfolk Southern Railway.

Taylor has more than 20 years of experience at CN. He joined the company as a management trainee in 2000, and since then held progressively more senior leadership roles across the organization.

Robinson thanked Harris for his "his significant contribution to CN and to the railroad industry over the last 50 years and for his collaboration in imagining and developing the evolution of the operating team structure."

To learn more about CN's plan, click here to read Progressive Railroading's October cover story.