CN reorganizes marketing group

Management changes at CN continue under the new administration of President and CEO Claude Mongeau. The most recent changes have taken place in CN’s marketing group, where Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Jean-Jacques Ruest has announced the appointments of six senior officers.

• Vee Kachroo, vice president, industrial products. Kachroo, based in Montreal,“has extensive experience in forest products and metals and minerals marketsand was most recently assistant vice-president, sales, for these two groups atCN, ” said Ruest.

• James Cairns, vice president, petroleum and chemicals. Cairns is based inCalgary, “a growth area for CN. Cairns developed innovative products in hismost recent position as assistant vice-president of CN domestic intermodal andground transportation, and previously spent three years working as director ofmarketing for CN’s petroleum and chemicals unit.”

• Andy Gonta, vice president, bulk. Gonta, based in Edmonton alongside thecompany’s Network Operations Centre, will be responsible for CN’s grain,fertilizers, sulphur, and coal businesses. “Gonta was a successful vice presidentof automotive sales and marketing prior to undertaking the CN Railroad MBAprogram to enhance his railroading skills. He has held a number of seniorpositions in operations since completing the program in 2005.”

• Paul Waite, vice president, intermodal. Waite, based in Toronto, will overseeboth domestic and international intermodal services. “He has wide experience inrail intermodal and was instrumental in developing CN’s industry-leading IMX(Intermodal Excellence) model.”

• Keith Reardon, vice president, supply chain solutions. Reardon, based in Chicago,will be responsible for CN’s non-rail transportation activities intransloading, freight-forwarding, warehousing, vessels, docks, and a smallgroup of supply chain experts serving all business units, as well as marketingactivities for the company’s automotive business. “Reardon has developedleading-edge skills in non-rail and supply chain activities, and will play akey role in leveraging CN’s rail franchise and developing new growthopportunities.”

• Doug MacDonald, vice president, corporate marketing. MacDonald, based inMontreal, will oversee marketing planning, e-business innovations, andstrategic account planning activities, “areas in which he has several years ofexperience. MacDonald will also lead the regional sales groups that focus onthe growth of small accounts.”

CN also announced that Stan Jablonski, most recently senior vice president, sales, hasagreed to serve as senior advisor to the company through the organizationaltransition of the marketing group “after several years of exceptionalcontribution to CN,” said Ruest.

“This is a great team of railroaders who know our markets, care about customerneeds, and understand how we operate at CN,” Ruest said. “With this team, we’llbe in a position to deliver real value to our customers and shareholders.”