(The following appeared on the Financial Post website on April 27, 2010.)
OTTAWA — Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. has appointed a new operations chief, giving the job to veteran CN Rail executive Ed Harris.
Mr. Harris has been working continuously in the railway business since 1968, save a four-year stint in the U.S. Marine Corps. At CN he was named executive vice president of operations in 2005, retiring two years later.
In hiring Mr. Harris to the chief operations officer position at CP, Canada’s second biggest railway is likely hoping to duplicate CN’s industry-leading operating performance.
“Ed is a proven railroader and industry leader, widely recognized for his focus on service reliability, asset utilization, and productivity,” Fred Green, CP’s chief executive said in a statement. “We welcome his expertise and look forward to him joining the team.”
CP also announced an expanded role for Jane O’Hagan, one of the company’s senior vice presidents. Ms. O’Hagan will now take on some sales related responsibilities and add the title of chief marketing officer.