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Union Pacific Railroad's long-time engineering head now will be taking on operations. On Friday, UP announced it promoted Bill Wimmer to vice president of operations and named David Connell to succeed him as VP of engineering. The appointments take effect June 1.

Since joining UP's engineering group in 1957, Wimmer has held many positions, including division engineer, district engineer, Western Region engineer, general superintendent-Western Region, assistant VP-environmental management and senior AVP-engineering management.

Connell, who joined UP in 1983, has served stints as director of track maintenance, general director of engineering technology, chief engineer-Central Region and AVP of engineering-construction.

Meanwhile, UP also named Bill Van Trump senior AVP of engineering; Todd Wimmer, AVP-structures and maintenance to succeed Connell; and Pat Meriwether, general superintendent of transportation services-Portland Service Unit to succeed Todd Wimmer. The appointments also take effect June 1.

Van Trump most recently served as AVP of engineering-maintenance. His stints since joining UP in 1967 include roadmaster, assistant division engineer, director of track maintenance and assistant chief engineer of track.

Since joining UP in 1991, Todd Wimmer has served as manager of construction projects, director of track maintenance and superintendent of the Wichita Service Unit.

Meriwether, who recently returned from active duty in Afghanistan, previously served as director of train management, superintendent of the North Little Rock Service Unit, superintendent of transportation services, general superintendent of the Harriman Dispatching Center and general superintendent of transportation services-Northern Region.