(Union Pacific circulated the following news release on June 4.)
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Corporation today announced the retirement of two senior executives, James V. Dolan, vice chairman, and Carl W. von Bernuth, senior vice president and general counsel. J. Michael Hemmer, the railroad’s vice president – Law, will become senior vice president – Law and general counsel for both the railroad and the corporation.
Jim Dolan joined Union Pacific as vice president of Law in 1983 and was appointed vice chairman in September 2002. “Jim’s leadership and advice have been invaluable. While we regret the departure, his retirement has been well-earned,” said Dick Davidson, chairman and chief executive officer. Dolan earned his law degree in 1963 at Georgetown Law Center and served as a partner with the law firm of Steptoe & Johnson in Washington, D.C.
Carl W. von Bernuth graduated cum laude from Yale University and Yale Law School. He joined Union Pacific as associate general counsel in 1980. In 1984 he was named deputy general counsel, Finance and Administration and became vice president and general counsel in 1988. “Carl’s skills and experience have been instrumental in defining the direction of the corporation. We appreciate his many years of service,” said Davidson.
J. Michael (Mike) Hemmer will expand his current position as vice president – Law to senior vice president and general counsel for the railroad and corporation. Hemmer joined Union Pacific in 2002 after serving 26 years with Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C. As a partner specializing in transportation law, Hemmer was involved in a wide variety of railroad regulatory and legal matters. He began his association with railroads after high school, working in a variety of operating positions for several major railroads. Hemmer earned his J.D. with honors at the University of California at Berkeley.
Barbara W. Schaefer, senior vice president, Human Resources, will assume the additional duties of corporate secretary previously held by von Bernuth. Schaefer has more than 20 years experience with Union Pacific. She holds a law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law and has completed Harvard University’s Program for Management Development. In 2001, Schaefer was named a “Woman of Vision” by the Omaha YWCA.
Two additional promotions also were announced today. Christine M. Smith, general contract counsel, and James J. Theisen, Jr., senior corporate counsel, have been promoted to assistant general counsel.
Smith earned her J.D. at Loyola University of Chicago. She started with Union Pacific in 1978, becoming general contract counsel in 1992. Her new duties will focus on real estate, major commercial transactions and contract policies.
Theisen holds a J.D. and M.B.A. from Creighton University, a Masters of Law in Taxation from Boston University and is a Certified Public Accountant. Theisen has held various legal positions with the railroad and the corporation since 1995 and now will serve as both assistant general counsel and assistant secretary for the corporation.
Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America’s leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, is the largest railroad in North America, covering 23 states across the western two-thirds of the United States. A strong focus on quality and a strategically advantageous route structure enable the company to serve customers in critical and fast growing markets. It is a leading carrier of low-sulfur coal used in electrical power generation and has broad coverage of the large chemical- producing areas along the Gulf Coast. With competitive long-haul routes between all major West Coast ports and eastern gateways, and as the only railroad to serve all six major gateways to Mexico, Union Pacific has the premier rail franchise in North America.