People news from CPKC, Sasser and Northern Plains Railroad

CPKC President and CEO Keith Creel is among the military veterans recognized this year on G.I. Jobs magazine's list of the 2026 "CEOs Who Served," the Class I announced in a social media post. Before beginning his railroad career in 1992, Creel served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, including service during the Persian Gulf War in Saudi Arabia. The experience left a lasting imprint on his leadership philosophy and decision-making style, he told the magazine. The 2026 CEO list appears in the magazine's March issue and features Creel on the cover. Creel has been CPKC's president and CEO since the merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern in April 2023.

CPKC de Mexico President Oscar del Cueto Cuevas has been appointed president of the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico, CPKC announced in a social media post. The chamber, representing hundreds of U.S. and multinational companies that invest in Mexico, promotes trade and investment between the two nations. He assumes AmCham Mexico’s leadership at a pivotal moment for North American trade as the group looks to advocate for the future of USMCA and an agenda of competitiveness, investment and economic development, CPKC officials said.

Sasser Inc. has named Michael Kelly president of its rail division, which includes Chicago Freight Car and CF Rail Services. He succeeds Thomas Clark, who is retiring. Kelly has experience in sales leadership and rail industry operations. Since joining Chicago Freight Car, he has served as sales director for the eastern region and, most recently, as vice president of sales, where he helped drive growth across the company’s leasing business. Before joining Chicago Freight Car, Kelly held leadership roles in the rail industry, including managing mobile repair operations and supporting growth across full-service repair shops, according to a Sasser Inc. press release.

Northern Plains Railroad President Jesse Chalich died unexpectedly on March 11 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He was 49. Chalich started his railroad career as a conductor and engineer in 1997 on the Northern Plains Railroad in central North Dakota. As a fourth generation railroader, the love for the industry and its culture ran deep in him, according to his obituary.  Over time, Chalich rose through the organization, ultimately serving as president and chief operating officer of the Northern Plains Rail companies. In 2014, Progressive Railroading named him a Rising Star in the rail industry. He is survived by his wife Julie, four children and a grandchild.