Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) has announced that Keith Creel assumed his new role as president and chief executive officer.
In February 2013, Creel was appointed president and chief operating officer. He joined the CP Board of Directors in May of 2015. Prior to that, he served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Canadian National Railway Company.
“This transition has been planned since Keith's arrival back in 2013 and we are confident in his abilities to lead the company,” said Chairman of the Board Andrew F. Reardon. “Under Hunter Harrison's leadership, CP built a strong foundation for future success; that foundation, together with Keith's passion for railroading, operational expertise and commitment to customer service and safety, positions the company well for many years to come.”
“I am humbled, honored and blessed to be leading CP,” Creel said. “I look forward to working closely with employees, customers, shareholders, government and community leaders, and other key stakeholders as we continue to build the iconic CP brand – a brand built on service, safety and doing what we say we will do.”
For 11 consecutive years, CP has been the safest Class I railroad in North America, measured by train-accident frequency. "As a result of our dedication to safety, in 2016 we celebrated our lowest train accident frequency ever," Creel said. "Still, we acknowledge that one incident is too many and we will continue to hold ourselves and others accountable when it comes to safety."
Under Creel's leadership, CP will continue to find safer, more efficient ways to connect customers to domestic and global markets, and will continue to connect communities in Canada and the United States.
“To be leading such an iconic company as Canada celebrates its 150 anniversary, is truly special,” Creel said. “CP has a proud history and I am privileged to stand alongside today's railroaders to build an even brighter future. I am excited to connect with employees, customers and communities across the continent as we continue to safely move the North American economy.”
With his new role, Creel becomes the 17th person to lead CP since 1881.