CSX parts ways with chief operating officer

CSX is conducting an internal and external search for a new executive vice president of operations

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jamie Boychuk, CSX Transportation’s executive vice president of operations, is leaving the railroad, the company announced this morning.

In a statement, CEO Joe Hinrichs thanked Boychuk for his role in implementing scheduled railroading and cited CSX’s depth of operational experience that will ensure operational continuity while the company seeks a successor. No reason was given for Boychuk’s departure.

“On behalf of CSX and all our stakeholders, I would like to thank Jamie for his six years of service and contributions to our company, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” Hinrichs said.

Independent analyst Anthony B. Hatch said Boychuk’s departure was “long rumored but, when announced, still surprising.” After Hinrichs joined the railroad in September, Hatch and other analysts speculated the new CEO would eventually want to build his own executive management team.

The new CEOs at Canadian National and Norfolk Southern replaced their chief operating officers last year.

Hinrichs added, “CSX has an experienced operations leadership team that helped guide our operational transformation into a top-performing transportation company, and who will continue to implement and strengthen the scheduled railroading guiding principles that have been the foundation of our success.”

Ricky Johnson, senior vice president of transportation, and Casey Albright, senior vice president of network operations and service design, will report directly to Hinrichs as the company conducts an internal and external search prior to naming a new head of all operations functions.

Johnson, who oversees all field operations, has over 30 years of experience in the railroad industry, including 22 years of service at CSX.

Similarly, Albright has 25 years of service at CSX in various leadership roles. In his current position, he oversees fluid traffic flow across the CSX network, leading the design of service plans that support performance improvement and meet customer needs, the railroad said.

“Our seasoned operations leadership team and talented field leaders will remain focused on executing our proven operational plan and drive growth by providing an ever-improving service product to customers. I have the highest confidence in our entire ONE CSX team, which has embraced our culture of working collaboratively to deliver strong safety and service results, positioning us to continue providing enhanced value for our shareholders and other key stakeholders,” Hinrichs said in a statement.

Boychuk previously served as the senior vice president of network, engineering, mechanical and intermodal operations, with responsibility for optimizing assets across CSX’s network. Boychuk joined CSX in 2017 as assistant vice president of transportation support. In 2018 he was promoted to vice president of scheduled railroading implementation and also led intermodal operations before being promoted to senior vice president of network operations in August 2018.

“Throughout his time at CSX, Boychuk has identified efficiency opportunities, implemented significant operational changes, driven the implementation of trip plans, and delivered improvements in network fluidity,” according to his biography on the CSX website.

Prior to joining CSX, Boychuk spent 20 years at Canadian National. He served as a general manager of the Alberta and Prairie sub-regions. Boychuk began his career at CN working as a conductor, yardmaster and locomotive engineer, and he was quickly promoted to managerial positions of increased responsibility located in Western Canada, Eastern Canada and the U.S.

Boychuk holds a business and leadership certificate from the University of Notre Dame.