OREANDA-NEWS. The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCSR) has promoted Shawn K. Vecellio from director to assistant vice president production and standards for the engineering department.

Mr. Vecellio oversees tie and rail production gangs, engineering mechanical functions, and engineering standards. In his new role, he assumes additional responsibilities for the Superior Tie & Timber facility in Vivian, La.; planning and administrative functions for the engineering group; and support of the engineering functions for Kansas City Southern's (KCS) subsidiaries in Mexico and Panama. Mr. Vecellio reports to senior vice president engineering and chief transportation officer Jeffrey M. Songer.

"Shawn's technical expertise and strong execution and leadership skills make him a natural fit for this position," said Mr. Songer.

Mr. Vecellio has nearly 18 years of railroad engineering and management experience. He joined KCSR in 2008 from CSXT, where he had served as manager of program construction for the Atlanta division. He has also worked for BNSF Railway, Permian Basin Railways and Great Western Railway, serving in roles such as roadmaster and superintendent of operations.

Mr. Vecellio is a committee representative of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association and is a certified, level-two, Operation Lifesaver presenter.

Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., KCS (NYSE: KSU) is a transportation holding company that has railroad investments in the U.S., Mexico and Panama. Its primary U.S. holding is KCSR, serving the central and south central U.S. Its international holdings include Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., serving northeastern and central Mexico and the port cities of LЁўzaro CЁўrdenas, Tampico and Veracruz, and a 50 percent interest in Panama Canal Railway Company, providing ocean-to-ocean freight and passenger service along the Panama Canal. KCS' North American rail holdings and strategic alliances are primary components of a NAFTA Railway system, linking the commercial and industrial centers of the U.S., Mexico and Canada.