Around The Railroad

M&S Appoints Two; Collier Retires

April 30, 2009 | 01:26 p.m. CDT

Marketing and Sales has announced two new appointments for UP's Mexico and Industrial Development businesses.

Bernardo Ayala has been named vice president-Mexico Markets, responsible for the strategic and tactical management of UP de Mexico, including sales and support based throughout the United States and Mexico.

Ayala holds a law degree from Universidad Iberoamericana and a Masters in Law and Certificate in Business Administration from Northwestern University School of Law and Kellogg School of Management. He joined UP through its Management Development Program and held positions in the Premium Operations and Transportation departments of UP's Western Region. He also has worked for both the former National Railways of Mexico and Ferromex, one of Mexico's most important railroad concessionaries.

Ayala succeeds Drew Collier, who retires today after 30 years of service with Western Pacific and Union Pacific.

In addition, John Newman has been named assistant vice president-Network and Industrial Development, responsible for interline relationships, industrial development and commercial relationships with the many UP-served ports. The newly formed Network and Industrial Development group aligns with UP's three operating regions, to integrate business growth and development whether on Union Pacific, short line connections or the ports. It also encompasses interline marketing, which is responsible for commercial analyses of rail restructuring and changes in the industry's regulatory environment, as well as UP's Class I railroad relationships.

Newman joined Union Pacific's Finance Department in 1991. He has held several positions in Finance and in Marketing and Sales' chemicals business group, most recently as executive director-interline. Newman holds bachelor's and master's degrees in business from the University of Michigan.

"We want to congratulate Drew on his retirement," said Jack Koraleski, executive vice president-Marketing and Sales. "His leadership, his vision, and his legacy can be seen in Union Pacific's $1.6 billion Mexico franchise, which is a competitive advantage that will never be replicated."