UP promotes four to marketing, sales leadership posts

Union Pacific Railroad yesterday announced four appointments to leadership roles in marketing and sales.

The personnel changes, which take effect Sept. 1, involve John Kaiser, Jason Hess, Brad Thrasher and Kenny Rocker, according to a UP press release.

Kaiser has been named vice president of strategic planning in UP's executive department. He has been VP and general manager-intermodal since 2003. Kaiser joined UP 14 years ago as VP and general manager-automotive.

Hess succeeds Kaiser in the role of VP and GM-intermodal. Hess has been VP and GM-agricultural products since March 2014. He began his UP career as a marketing and sales account representative, and has worked in agricultural products, industrial products and chemicals.

Thrasher succeeds Hess as VP and GM-agricultural products. Thrasher has been VP and GM-industrial products since March 2012. Prior to that role, he was assistant vice president and GM at two UP subsidiaries: Union Pacific Distribution Services and Streamline. His 20-year career at UP includes positions in automotive, chemical and industrial products.

Rocker succeeds Thrasher as VP and GM-industrial products. Rocker currently is assistant vice president-chemicals. His 22-year UP career includes roles in chemicals, industrial products and the Marketing and Sales Center.