Effective immediately, CN announced new operations leadership appointments for Gordon Trafton, Jim Vena, Mike Cory and Jeff Liepert.
Trafton, currently senior vice-president Southern Region, has been appointed senior vice-president Strategic Acquisitions and Integration and will be responsible for the integration of the former EJ&E railway into CN's network. In addition to regional operations, his extensive background includes network management and acquisition.
Vena, currently senior vice-president Western Region, succeeds Trafton as senior vice-president Southern Region. Vena joined CN in 1977 as a brakeman in Jasper, Alta., and has held progressively responsible positions in operations and marketing throughout Canada.
Cory, currently senior vice-president Eastern Region, is appointed senior vice-president Western Region. Cory started his career with CN at Symington Yard Diesel Shop in Winnipeg as a laborer in 1981. Since then, he has held a succession of increasingly responsible leadership positions in field, regional, and network operations management.
Liepelt, currently vice-president Operations Southern Region, becomes vice-president Eastern Region. He joined the former Illinois Central in 1978 as a brakeman and has held positions of increasing responsibility with assignments in Chicago, Memphis, Winnipeg, Baton Rouge, La., and New Orleans.
Trafton and Vena will be based in Chicago, Cory in Edmonton, and Liepelt in Toronto. All four will report to Keith Creel, executive vice-president of operations at CN.