MONTREAL Jean-Jacques Ruest, executive vice-president and chief marketing officer of CN (TSX: CNR)(NYSE: CNI), announced today the appointment of his marketing team another key step in CNs drive to reach the next level of business performance.
CNs new marketing team reflects the significant synergies and the depth of talent among our sales, marketing and supply chain transportation professionals, Ruest said. The seasoned executives on this team are skilled and innovative marketers who know the benefits of precision railroading, are strongly customer focused, and are committed to driving profitable revenue growth and increased shareholder value at CN.
The new marketing team reporting to Ruest is composed of six senior officers:
Vee Kachroo, vice-president, industrial products. Kachroo, based in Montreal, has extensive experience in forest products and metals and minerals markets and was most recently assistant vice-president, sales, for these two groups at CN.
James Cairns, vice-president, petroleum and chemicals. Cairns is based in Calgary, a growth area for CN. Cairns developed innovative products in his most recent position as assistant vice-president of CN domestic intermodal and ground transportation, and previously spent three years working as director of marketing for CNs petroleum and chemicals unit.
Andy Gonta, vice-president, bulk. Gonta, based in Edmonton along side the companys Network Operations Centre, will be responsible for CNs grain, fertilizers, sulphur and coal businesses. Gonta was a successful vice-president of automotive sales and marketing prior to undertaking the CN Railroad MBA program to enhance his railroading skills. He has held a number of senior positions in operations since completing the program in 2005.
Paul Waite, vice-president, intermodal. Waite, based in Toronto, will oversee both domestic and international intermodal services. He has wide experience in rail intermodal and was instrumental in developing CNs industry-leading IMX (Intermodal Excellence) model.
Keith Reardon, vice-president, supply chain solutions. Reardon, based in Chicago, will be responsible for CNs non-rail transportation activities in transloading, freight-forwarding, warehousing, vessels, docks, and a small group of supply chain experts serving all business units, as well as marketing activities for the companys automotive business. Reardon has developed leading-edge skills in non-rail and supply chainactivities, and will play a key role in leveraging CNs rail franchise and developing new growth opportunities.
Doug MacDonald, vice-president, corporate marketing. MacDonald, based in Montreal, will oversee marketing planning, e-business innovations, and strategic account planning activities, areas in which he has several years of experience. MacDonald will also lead the regional sales groups that focus on the growth of small accounts.
This is a great team of railroaders who know our markets, care about customer needs, and understand how we operate at CN, Ruest said. With this team, well be in a position to deliver real value to our customers and shareholders.
CN also announced that Stan Jablonski, most recently senior vice-president, sales, has agreed to serve as senior advisor to the company through the organizational transition of the marketing group after several years of exceptional contribution to CN.
CN Canadian National Railway Company and its operating railway subsidiaries spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key metropolitan areas of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For more information on CN, visit the companys website at www.cn.ca.
