Karov Stepping Down as BNSF VP Labor Relations

Sam Macedonio (center) has been promoted to BNSF VP Labor Relations, following Rob Karov’s retirement. Melissa Beasley Coke becomes AVP Labor Relations.

BNSF Vice President Labor Relations Rob Karov is retiring after more than 30 years of service. Succeeding him is Sam Macedonio, the Class I railroad told Railway Age on Oct. 19.

Karov joined BNSF in 1993 as a Management Trainee and quickly rose through the ranks to manager and director roles. In 2006, he was named General Director Labor Relations. Karov moved on to Assistant Vice President Labor Relations and was elevated to his latest role in 2015.

“For much of his railroading career, Rob has been a key leader in our labor negotiations, and he has consistently guided us through some challenging labor rounds,” BNSF President and CEO Katie Farmer said in a statement. “We thank Rob for his dedication over the decades to BNSF, our teams and his role in relationship building with our labor leaders.”

The railroad has promoted Macedonio to Karov’s position. Macedonio has served as Assistant Vice President Labor Relations since 2018. Previously, he was Assistant Vice President Labor Relations Operations for CSX. He also worked for the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority as Labor Counsel. Macedonio earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from State University of New York and a law degree from New York Law School.

“Sam’s more than 25 years in labor counsel, labor negotiations and in the railroad industry have prepared him well to take on this important opportunity,” Farmer said. “We look forward to the contributions he and his team will continue to make in the years ahead.”

Taking over Macedonio’s prior role is Melissa Beasley Coke. She will be responsible for labor relations for Operating crafts, operational changes, PEPA and special projects. Her team will also lead efforts “to modernize work rules and collective bargaining agreements to enhance attracting and retaining union employees while setting BNSF Operations up for success in the future,” the railroad reported. Before this promotion, Beasley Coke had served as General Director Workforce Operations Change since 2014.

Hired on in 1998 as Crew Dispatcher in Topeka, Kans., Beasley Coke was elevated to TYE Crew Manager in 2000 and later took on roles of increasing responsibility, including Manager Labor Relations, Director Labor Relations, and General Director Labor Relations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a master’s degree in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from Creighton University in Omaha, Neb.

“Melissa is a proven and experienced leader at BNSF and in the field of labor relations,” Macedonio said in a statement. “We look forward to seeing the impact she and her team will make at BNSF and in the railroad industry in the months and years ahead.”