For KCS, PSR Personnel Adjustments

Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief
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Kansas City Southern on July 1 implemented several organizational changes “designed to further support the company’s ongoing Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) strategy and provide development opportunities for several KCS leaders.”

Mike Walczak, formerly Vice President Mechanical Operations, is in a newly created role in organization, reporting to Executive Vice President and CFO Michael W. Upchurch. Walczak will lead Service Design, Car Management, Fuel Management, Treasury and Tax, working closely with EVP PSR Sameh Fahmy “to continue the execution of KCS’ very successful PSR strategy.”

Darin Selby, formerly VP Intermodal and Automotive Operations, has assumed responsibility for Mechanical Operations. Selby “has extensive leadership experience in Sales and Marketing and Operations, and will lead KCS’ Mechanical organization as it continues to right-size its equipment fleet, increase staff productivity, minimize failures and train delays and invest in new technologies to improve the reliability of company assets,” KCS said.

Olivia Daily, formerly AVP Service Design, is now VP Purchasing, replacing Bill Blaise, who will retire effective Sept. 1 and will assist in the transition of the Purchasing organization. Blaise has been with KCS since 2007 in a variety of finance roles.

“Kansas City Southern is focused on providing consistent and reliable service, building a more resilient and dependable network, facilitating industry-leading growth, and continuing to improve asset utilization and our cost structure,” said KCS President and CEO Patrick J. Ottensmeyer, Railway Age’s 2020 Railroader of the Year. “These organizational changes will help us build on the significant train and crew efficiency gains made during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

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