OREANDA-NEWS. BNSF Railway announced today that Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Tom Hund will retire during the first quarter of 2014.  Hund will be replaced at that time by Julie Piggott, currently Vice President, Planning and Studies, and Controller.

"Over his years with BNSF, Tom has had a tremendous impact in leading the Finance team. This leadership and his strategic thinking have been critical to the continued growth of our company.  As a longstanding member of the Executive Team, he also played a formative role in shaping BNSF's Vision & Values and Leadership Model and in building core aspects of our culture. We thank Tom for his incalculable contribution to our company and recognize the legacy he is leaving," said Matthew K. Rose, chairman and chief executive officer.

Hund has been in the railroad industry since 1983, holding multiple senior management and financial roles within BNSF and previously with Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, a predecessor railroad to BNSF.  He has been chief financial officer since 1999.

Reflecting on his career, Hund said, "My years with this company have been beyond anything I could have imagined. The people, the culture and the rich heritage have been the things that mean the most to me and made my career here so satisfying. My wife Judy and I have made many lifelong friends, and we will be forever grateful for the opportunity to be part of the BNSF Railway family."

Piggott has served in her current role since 2009.  She previously served as vice president, Finance, and treasurer since 2006.

"Julie has been an integral part of the Finance Department and the company. We have tremendous confidence in her and she is uniquely qualified to be our next chief financial officer," said Rose.

Piggott joined BNSF in 1991 and has held various positions in Finance, including successive roles as assistant vice president, Strategic and Financial Analysis; assistant vice president, Expedited Services, in Consumer Products; and assistant vice president and assistant controller. Prior to joining BNSF, she was with the accounting firm of Ernst & Young and Corporate BancServices.