OREANDA-NEWS. Union Pacific announced multiple Operating Department appointments, effective Sept. 1.

Kenneth Hunt has been named vice president of Transportation and will lead transportation field operations across Union Pacific's 32,000-mile system. Currently vice president of Network Operations and Union Pacific's Harriman Dispatching Center, Hunt will bring more than 30 years of railroad operating experience to his new role. He succeeds Randy Blackburn who will retire in 2015 after 40 years of service.

Shane Keller has been named vice president of Network Operations and Harriman Dispatching Center, succeeding Hunt. Keller will apply extensive safety and operations experience to his new role leading Union Pacific's centralized train dispatching organization and coordinating operations across the railroad.

Richard Castagna has been named regional vice president of Transportation for the Western Region, succeeding Keller. He will oversee safety and operations for the western third of Union Pacific's rail system, encompassing 8,900 employees and 10,500 miles of track. Currently assistant vice president of Safety, Castagna has progressed through multiple field operations management roles.

Rodney Doerr has been named assistant vice president of Safety, succeeding Castagna. He will lead the railroad's safety and operating practices functions. Doerr joined Union Pacific's Supply Department in 1992 and moved to the Operating Department in 2004, holding various positions, including his current role as general superintendent of Transportation Services for the Los Angeles Service Unit.

Roger Lambeth has been named general superintendent of Transportation Services for the Los Angeles Service Unit, succeeding Doerr. Lambeth will be responsible for leading safety and transportation operations over 1,200 track miles in southern California. Currently the superintendent of Transportation Services for the Livonia Service Unit, Lambeth started his career as a trainman and has worked extensively throughout transportation operations for Union Pacific and its subsidiary Insight Network Logistics.

Jamal Chappell has been named superintendent of Transportation Services for the Livonia Service Unit, succeeding Lambeth. He will be responsible for safe operations of 800 track miles in Louisiana and Texas. Currently director of Transportation Services for the Livonia Service Unit, Chappell began his railroad career as a dispatcher in 1996 and has extensive field operations management experience.

Phillip Danner has been named assistant vice president of Engineering-Track Programs and will be responsible for track programs across Union Pacific's system. Danner started his Union Pacific career in 2011 as assistant vice president of Engineering-Signal.

Neal Hathaway has been named assistant vice president of Engineering-Signal, succeeding Danner. He will manage the strategy and direction of a safe, efficient signal/train control system to facilitate train movements. Currently general director of Maintenance of Way-Positive Train Control, Hathaway has 23 years of experience in Union Pacific's Engineering Department.

Grant Janke has been named assistant vice president of Network and Capital Planning. He will be responsible for leading the business planning process, managing capacity and overseeing the railroad's critical resources to ensure reliable transportation service and network fluidity. Beginning his Union Pacific career in 1994, Janke currently is assistant vice president of Strategic Planning.