From the Editor: Union Pacific's Vena to receive Railroad Innovator Award at RailTrends 2025

Last month, Progressive Railroading and RailTrends® named Union Pacific Railroad CEO Jim Vena the 2025 recipient of the Railroad Innovator Award, which recognizes an individual’s outstanding achievement in the rail industry.

Vena was named UP’s CEO in 2023 after serving as the Class I’s chief operating officer from 2019 to 2020 and as a senior adviser to the chairman in 2021. Before that, he held a variety of leadership positions during his four-decade tenure with CN.

“Jim exemplifies the best of what I call the ‘CN Diaspora’ and really seems to have gotten his historic railroad to achieve something that seemed just out of reach for many years — fulfill its vast potential,” as independent transportation analyst Tony Hatch, who is the program consultant for our annual RailTrends conference, put it. “In addition, I truly appreciate his employment of what he calls ‘buffer’ (additional resources in reserve to provide resiliency and support agility) in these uncertain times.”

Vena also has done what he said he’d do since taking UP’s reins, and that matters — particularly during these uncertain times. He came to the Class I with a track record of driving best-in-class operating and service results, and he’s continued to drive them.

Vena will receive the award during RailTrends 2025, which will be held Nov. 20-21 at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City. Congratulations, Jim.

For more information on RailTrends, log onto RailTrends.com.

UP’s Whited to move to adviser role

Meanwhile, there was another UP exec to celebrate last month: On May 9, the Class I announced that Beth Whited, who was named the railroad’s president the same day Vena was named CEO in 2023, will transition to a company adviser role, effective July 1. She’ll remain an adviser until early 2026.

Whited joined UP in 1987. She’s since held numerous roles in a range of capacities, including strategy, law, corporate relations, government affairs, marketing and sales, sustainability, finance, investor relations and human resources. In 2021, she received the League of Railway Women’s Railway Woman of the Year award, which is sponsored by Progressive Railroading.

“After 37 incredible years with Union Pacific, I am immensely proud and forever changed,” Whited said in a UP press release. “The company has provided me with incredible opportunities to learn and grow, and many colleagues have become lifelong friends. It’s been an honor to be a part of this remarkable team, and I am looking forward to new adventures ahead.”

It’s been an honor to talk with and interview Beth over the years; her thoughtfulness and candor were refreshing, always. She also graced us with her presence at several iterations of RailTrends. I’m grateful for all of it, Beth — and for your work. Thank you for making a difference.