BNSF installs two group VPs, one VP to cover retirements and promotions

BNSF Railway Co. has promoted George Duggan from vice president of coal marketing to group vice president-coal business group to succeed Steve Branscum; promoted John Miller from VP of industrial products sales to group VP-agricultural products to succeed Kevin Kaufman; and named Tom Williams VP of industrial products sales to succeed Miller. The appointments are effective Feb. 1, 2014.

Branscum and Kaufman plan to retire in early 2014. Branscum, who began his career with the Santa Fe Railway and served BNSF for more than 34 years, previously served as group VP-consumer products from mid-1999 to late 2012, and VP of intermodal marketing from mid-1996 to mid-1999. He also at one time led both intermodal equipment management and intermodal hub operations.

"Steve has been a longtime leader in the marketing organization. For well over a decade, he led our intermodal business as BNSF grew to be the industry leader, and for the past year he has very effectively led the coal group," said Executive VP and Chief Marketing Officer Steve Bobb in an item posted on the "BNSF News" web page.

Kaufman joined BNSF in 2004 as group VP-agricultural products. He previously was senior VP and North America region managing director of the Louis Dreyfus Corp.

"Kevin demonstrated an invaluable ability to strengthen customer and agricultural producer relationships throughout our grain network. He has had a significant and lasting influence in shaping our agricultural business," said Bobb.

Duggan joined BNSF predecessor Burlington Northern Railroad in 1990 as a grain specialist. He previously held various assignments with progressive leadership responsibility in customer support, marketing and sales, including a stint as VP of domestic intermodal.

"With strong experience in several BNSF business units and three years in the coal group facing a volatile market, George is ready to step into this new position," said Bobb.

Miller joined BNSF in 2008 as assistant VP of agricultural products and later became AVP of industrial products. He previously was senior group manager at TSC Container Freight, VP of North American wheat for CGC, EVP of merchandising for Bartlett Grain Co. and president of Bartlett Grain L.L.C.

"John is a respected leader who has demonstrated the ability to build strong customer relationships while delivering profitable growth," said Bobb.

Williams joined the Santa Fe Railway in 1993 and held positions in intermodal marketing, automotive marketing and industrial products marketing, including AVP of intermodal/automotive operations and VP of domestic intermodal.