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People News: UP, WSP

Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
UP Executive Vice President, Marketing and Sales Kenny Rocker (left) and Principal Director of WSP's Transit and Rail national business line Chris Heald (right)

UP Executive Vice President, Marketing and Sales Kenny Rocker (left) and Principal Director of WSP's Transit and Rail national business line Chris Heald (right)

Union Pacific’s (UP) Executive Vice President, Marketing and Sales Kenny Rocker is recognized with Profiles in Diversity Journal’s 2022 Black Leadership Award. Also, Chris Heald joins WSP as Principal Director of the firm’s Transit and Rail national business line.

UP announced Jan. 13 that Executive Vice President, Marketing and Sales Kenny Rocker has been recognized with Profiles in Diversity Journal’s 2022 Black Leadership Award, presented to executives displaying “talent and skill, commitment to excellence, passion for mentoring and advocating for the next generation, and ongoing development with the larger community.”

“Rocker is passionate about customer-focused business development, building highly successful teams and supporting UP’s Diversity and Inclusion program,” the Class I stated in a release.

At UP, Rocker is responsible for three major business units, including Bulk, Industrial and Premium, generating more than $20 billion in annual revenue, along with Marketing and Sales’ Operations, Commercial Strategy, subsidiary Loup Logistics and UP’s Mexico business.

“I continue to learn and value the opportunity to lead such a talented team of people,” Rocker said.

In the community, Rocker serves on the boards of local organizations, such as Children’s Hospital, Creighton University and Seventy Five North, which facilitates the revitalization of a healthy, sustainable, mixed-income community in North Omaha.

“My hope is that I can support others to achieve their goals, too,” he said.

Read more about Rocker in his Profiles in Diversity Journal Q&A here.

WSP announced Jan. 17 that it has hired Chris Heald to join serve as Principal Director for the engineering firm’s major transit and rail programs/projects, including contract administration and contract supervision.

In this role, Heald will also oversee improvements to operational performance and help support business improvement and growth initiatives, WSP says.

Heald has more than 30 years of experience in rail and transit in the U.S., Canada and the UK, in both the public and private sectors. His broad skillset includes experience in rail system operations and maintenance; leadership of multi-disciplinary technical; advisory and safety teams; and business operations, such as organizational change and effective team building.

Heald’s most recent role was Regional Director for an international consulting firm, where he led the U.S. consulting arm of Britain’s national rail owner/operator through a tumultuous and challenging period in the industry.

His international experience has “created opportunities for innovative solutions and approaches across the U.S.,” including governance and asset management advisory solutions for agencies in the New York and New Jersey region, WSP says.

Heald is a graduate of The University of Sheffield, England, with a master’s degree in rail systems engineering, and Durham University with a bachelor’s degree in general engineering. He is a chartered mechanical engineer through the UK’s Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

“Heald is an excellent fit for this role with his strong grasp of leadership and business operations in rail and transit-centric organizations, and his history of strategy development and long-term planning in the industry,” said WSP Transit and Rail National Market Leader Jannet Walker-Ford.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to join WSP’s immensely experienced and talented transit and rail team,” Heald said. “With unprecedented investment occurring in this sector in the U.S., I am confident that WSP’s team can continue bringing the highest quality solutions for our clients and help deliver seamless enhancements to transit and rail to improve the daily lives of millions across the country.”

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