(The following press release was distributed by CSX.)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Michael J. Ward, CSX Corporation chairman, president and chief executive officer, has named Alan F. Crown as executive vice president and chief operating officer of CSX Transportation. The appointment is effective immediately, and consolidates the engineering and mechanical groups under Crown in addition to his transportation responsibilities.
Ward also announced the appointment of W. Michael Cantrell as senior vice president-Advanced Operations Technologies. Cantrell, previously senior vice president-Engineering and Mechanical, will be responsible for a wide range of technology innovations designed to improve service to customers and lower costs. Cantrell will report to Crown, and his appointment is effective immediately.
“With the added and new responsibilities that Al Crown and Mike Cantrell are taking on, our railroad is positioned for the future,” Ward said. “They have demonstrated consistent leadership and innovation, and will accelerate our record of improving service, safety and revenue growth.”
Crown, a 36-year rail veteran, is responsible for all rail transportation operations, including safety, service design and passenger operations. He now adds overall responsibility for the engineering and mechanical groups that repair, maintain and improve track, signals, rail cars and locomotives, among other equipment and facilities. The combined organizations allow for a streamlined, more efficient operating structure.
Crown began his career as a yard clerk in his native Baltimore, and quickly moved through positions of increased responsibility. He has served as general manager of several of the company’s operating regions, and is among those who led the railroad’s service recovery that began in early 2000. Crown also led the development in 2002 of CSXT’s Safety Leadership Process, which has resulted in new training and safety practices throughout the company. CSXT continues to improve in key areas that include safety, train velocity, terminal car dwell, on-time train originations and cars on line.
Cantrell joined CSXT as vice president-Mechanical in 1996 from Cummins Engine Company, Columbus, Ind., where he was vice president-Manufacturing Technology. In 2000, he added overall responsibility for the railroad’s engineering group. He has led car and locomotive maintenance programs that improved availability and reliability, and achieved similar results in the company’s roadbed, track and signals infrastructure, where more than $1 billion is spent annually.
Cantrell has been among the company’s leaders in the evaluation and adaptation of technologies that improve customer service and reduce costs, and has been a strong supporter of the implementation of Six Sigma process improvement. Under Cantrell’s guidance, the Auxiliary Power Unit to reduce fuel consumption and locomotive emissions was developed. The APU has since been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and adopted by a major locomotive manufacturer. His team also led the implementation of remote control technology to improve the safety and efficiency of railroad switching operations, and the developmental work toward next-generation advanced train control.
“I am pleased that Al and Mike have accepted these new and challenging responsibilities,” Ward said. “Together, they will be key contributors to transforming our company and realizing our vision of growth.”
CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., owns one of the largest rail networks in the United States. CSX Transportation Inc. and its 34,000 employees provide rail transportation services over a 23,000 route-mile network in 23 states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces. CSX Corporation also provides intermodal and global container terminal operations through other subsidiaries.