CN announces COO succession
CN has appointed Patrick Whitehead as executive vice-president and chief network operating officer and Derek Taylor as executive vice-president and chief field operating officer. Both appointments come into effect on 15 November 2023. Whitehead and Taylor will succeed Ed Harris, who will take on a consultant role until 31 March 2024, to ensure a seamless transition.
Whitehead has over 30 years of railroad experience. He joined CN in 2021 as general manager in Chicago. Prior to joining CN, he was vice-president, transportation for Norfolk Southern Railway. He was appointed senior vice-president, network operations in June 2022.
Taylor joined the company as a management trainee in Winnipeg, MB, in 2000 and since then has held progressively more senior leadership roles in the organisation. He was appointed senior vice-president, transportation in November 2022. (cj)