Rail Experience: Petersen's career combines direct rail operations and a commitment to safety, compliance and continuous improvement. As a certified director of safety, he strengthens safety culture, operational discipline and engagement within complex, unionized environments. He started with CN as a trainmaster, a role in which he oversaw daily rail operations, supervised train crews and ensured safety and regulatory adherence. In his current role, Petersen oversees CN's rail-supported trucking operations across five provinces. He manages more than 550 commercial vehicles, a team of supervisors and unionized operators. His experience in trucking and airport operations helps support safer handoffs, better coordination and system-wide efficiency across transportation modes.

Mentorship Role: Through hands-on coaching, clear communication and a safety-first mindset shaped by his frontline experience as a CN trainmaster, Petersen helps translate rules into practice, build confidence under pressure and develop people into capable, safety-focused leaders. He develops supervisors and emerging leaders by modeling transparency and data-informed risk management, and mentors leaders on how to effectively run field operations, deliver feedback and collaborate with union partners. As a volunteer with Operation Lifesaver Canada and the North American Transportation Management Institute's Canadian Curricula Committee, Petersen supports public safety education and contributes to developing training standards. He also mentors students and new professionals on rail and transportation careers, safety responsibilities and professional ethics. His mentorship has produced durable results: stronger rule adherence, clearer crew communications, better preparedness for abnormal situations, and leaders who are more consistent, engaging and proactive about risk.