KCS reorganizes operating department management functions

Kansas City Southern on Friday announced a reorganization of several operations department functions that involve several management changes and promotions.

Among the personnel changes:
• Steve Truitt, previously assistant vice president of the Shreveport, La., Terminal, will assume the newly created position of vice president-safety training and standards. He will be responsible for safe operating practices and other workplace safety matters, and the implementation and enforcement of operating rules and standards for all U.S. operating departments. Truitt also will lead the environmental group and Transportation Engineering and Mechanical Training Center in Shreveport. He joined KCS in 2011 after holding various operations positions with CSX Corp. and Union Pacific Railroad.

• Gregory Walling's assistant VP position has been expanded to VP of network planning. He joined KCS in 2006 after holding operations positions with Norfolk Southern Railway.

• Within Walling's group, Olivia Daily will transition from capacity planning analyst to AVP of network design and optimization. She now will be responsible for service design and measurement disciplines, as well as long-term network capacity planning. Daily joined KCS in 2010 after a stint at YRC Worldwide.

• Kelly King, previously director of network planning, will assume the newly created position of AVP of advanced systems. She will be responsible for the implementation of positive train control and other real-time technology initiatives. King joined KCS in 2010 after serving as a captain in the U.S. Army.

• Timothy Ott has been promoted from director of field transportation to AVP of the Southeast Division. He joined KCS in 2010 after holding operations positions with CF and YRC Worldwide.

• Eloy Sanchez has been promoted from director of field transportation to AVP of the Southwest Division. He joined the Texas Mexican Railway Co., now a KCS subsidiary, in 1997 after a military police corps career with the U.S. Army.

• AVP Mike Curry has transitioned from the Midwest Division to Network Operations Center, AVP Chad Devenney has transitioned from the Network Operations Center to Midwest Division and AVP Rick Pennington has transitioned from the Southeast Division to Shreveport Terminal.

"These organizational changes will ensure the U.S. operating team is well structured and prepared to manage our rapidly growing business," said KCS Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer Dave Ebbrecht in a press release.