CN appoints three vice-presidents as part of company's executive changes

MONTREAL, March 12, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Jim Vena, executive vice-president and chief operating officer of CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI), announced today the appointment of three vice-presidents as part of the company's executive changes.

John Orr, 49, will become vice-president, Eastern Region, based in Toronto, effective March 15. Orr is currently vice-president, chief safety and sustainability officer, a position he was promoted to in 2011. Orr joined CN in 1985 as a conductor in London, Ont., and has held increasingly responsible positions in the operations team across Canada.

Michael Farkouh, 46, will assume the position of vice-president, safety and sustainability, on April 1. Farkouh will be based in Montreal. He has been assistant vice-president, B.C. South, since 2011. Farkouh joined CN in 1989 and has occupied positions of increasing responsibility in CN's mechanical group and in the transportation function.

Gerry Weber, 46, will become vice-president, supply, fleet and fuel management, on April 1. Weber has been chief mechanical officer since 2009. He joined CN in 1989 and has held increasingly senior positions in CN's mechanical function since that time. Weber will also be based in Montreal.

Vena said: "I look forward to John, Michael and Gerry assuming their new positions. I have worked closely with all three throughout their careers. They are very experienced railroaders and reflect the deep bench strength we have at CN. I am certain they'll continue to make strong contributions to the company as we advance CN's agenda of Operational and Service Excellence."

CN - Canadian National Railway Company and its operating railway subsidiaries - spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key metropolitan areas of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, St. Louis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For more information on CN, visit the company's website at www.cn.ca.