UP Appoints Ops, Risk Management Successors

“These changes demonstrate the power of the UP team, and our talent management pipeline,” UP CEO Jim Vena noted. UP photo.

Union Pacific on March 25 announced the retirement of three executives effective April 1, and their replacements: Shane Keller, Senior Vice President Operations, Northern Region; David Giandinoto, Senior Vice President Operations, Southern Region; and Lee Myers, Assistant Vice President Risk Management, Law.

John Turner, Senior Vice President Harriman Dispatch Center (HDC) and Network Planning, is appointed Senior Vice President Operations, Northern Region, succeeding Keller. Turner has been with UP more than 22 years, starting out as a TE&Y craft professional. “His experience in Transportation and network management is essential for leading a large and diverse operation, which encompasses grades, geographic differences and weather extremes,” UP CEO Jim Vena said.

Steven Bybee, Assistant Vice President Network Resources, HDC, is appointed Senior Vice President Operations, Southern Region, succeeding Giandinoto. Bybee has been with UP for 19 years, spending most of his career in Transportation in nearly every key position. He also started out as a TE&Y craft professional before working and living across the UP network in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Idaho and Washington. Similar to Turner, “he has great and varied experience,” Vena noted.

Carl Garrison, Assistant Vice President Labor Operations, is promoted to Vice President Network Planning and Operations, adding Network Planning and Operations, Interline and Joint Facilities to his existing Labor Operations responsibilities.

Erin Batt, Vice President HDC, will become the first woman to lead the HDC. She adds Customer Care and Support and Crew Management Services to her responsibilities. “Erin knows and understands the requirements to manage the movement of thousands of trains daily, and her experience is required to manage this complex position,” Vena said.

Shane Keller began his career as an Operations Management Trainee (OMT) 33 years ago “and has touched nearly every part of the railroad, with leadership roles in Transportation, the HDC, Network Operations, Engineering and Mechanical,” Vena said. “Known for always speaking up and asking questions to drive us forward, he has been instrumental in changing how we understand railroading as our industry evolved.”

David Giandinoto also joined UP as a management trainee after serving as a Marine for six years. “In his 30-year run, he traversed nearly every part of Transportation, working and living in major parts of our network including Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston and Omaha,” Vena said. “He also spent time on our Marketing and Sales team, gaining a different perspective of what our customers expect from us. Throughout his three-decade journey, he gained invaluable experience and contributed significantly to the growth and success of our railroad.”

Lee Myers dedicated 34 years to UP’s Law Department on the Risk Management side. He also lived across the network, including time in St. Louis, North Platte, North Little Rock and Roseville before finishing out his last decade in Omaha. “Lee was an advocate through and through for Union Pacific, often in some of the most challenging circumstances,” Vena said. “We are grateful for his service.”

With these retirements, the following leaders will take on new roles on the Operating leadership team effective April 1:

Additional executive level appointments at UP include:

• Mike Santa Maria, General Manager Transportation, Los Angeles Service Unit, succeeds Steven Bybee as Assistant Vice President Network Resources, HDC.
• Ryan Curtis, General Superintendent Transportation, Mid-America Service Unit, succeeds Santa Maria as General Manager Transportation, Los Angeles Service Unit.
• Mike Shults, General Superintendent Transportation, Chicago Service Unit, succeeds Curtis as General Superintendent Transportation, Mid-America Service Unit.
• Luke Slawson, prior General Director Intermodal Operations, Premium Operations, succeeds Shults as General Superintendent Transportation, Chicago Service Unit.
• Naomi Deines, Assistant Vice President Crew Management Services, HDC, succeeds Lee Myers as Assistant Vice President Risk Management, Law.

“These changes demonstrate the power of the UP team, and our talent management pipeline,” Vena noted. “They recognize the contributions of retiring leaders who served us well and celebrate their impact. They also reflect our vibrant talent pipeline, with a 90% retention rate, developing leaders who serve as TE&Y, complete OMT training, work across key hubs in our 23-state network and continue making us stronger. The collective experience of our Operating Leadership spans 190 years across Union Pacific.”