CN adds to its executive team

CN recently announced the appointment of new EVP and COO Rob Reilly, effective July 1, and the promotion of Michael Foster to EVP and Chief Information and Technology Officer, effective June 3.

Prior to his appointment as COO, Reilly, 54, had 30 years of experience in the rail industry. He joined the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Company (currently BNSF) in 1989. A graduate of Washburn University, Reilly completed the Executive Program at Stanford University. His career in the rail industry has taken him across the U.S., most notably in Chicago and the west coast. His leadership experience includes safety, rail operations and field application of rail technologies.

The 52-year-old Foster joined CN in March 2018 as SVP and Chief Information and Technology Officer. He “joined CN from FedEx and his background strongly positions him to apply artificial intelligence and data analytics to transportation logistics. He has led the deployment of new technologies to enhance CN’s safe operations and the efficiency of supply chain services, while delivering on important technological advances such as Positive Train Control, automated track and train inspections, as well as mobile devices for frontline railroaders.”

As part of these changes, CN announced, Mike Cory will retire as EVP and COO on June 30, but will remain available during the transition.

“I am very pleased to be joining CN, the industry leader among North American railroads and the pioneer of scheduled railroading,” said Reilly. “I look forward to adding my experience to this already great team of scheduled railroaders.”

“At the heart of CN’s success is our focus on having the right talent in the right role strategically leading and moving forward as one team,” said JJ Ruest, President, CEO, CN. “Rob Reilly and Michael Foster will work closely with CN’s strong bench of very experienced scheduled railroaders to deliver operational excellence and implement technology as a driver for safety, customer and shareholder value. CN pioneered scheduled railroading and our vision is to be the first railroad to take it to the next level, using advanced information technology. These appointments are part of our strategy to enhance our scheduled railroading model.”

“It is with great pride that I am transitioning the leadership of my extremely dedicated and competent team of scheduled railroaders to Rob Reilly,” said Cory. “The CN team has accomplished an enormous amount and I want to thank each one of them for their continued engagement in modernizing our operations and customer service. I have full confidence that while respecting what makes CN an industry leader today, this team will bring us to the next level. They are the future of CN.”