BNSF Railway Operations Chief, Greg Fox, Announces His Retirement; Dave Freeman Named Executive Vice President, Operations

Date
May 13, 2016

FORT WORTH, TEXAS – BNSF Railway today announced Greg Fox, executive vice president, Operations, plans to retire after more than 30 years with the railroad. Fox has served in that role since November 2010.

Succeeding Fox as executive vice president, Operations, will be Dave Freeman effective June 1. Freeman will oversee the entire Operations organization, including Engineering, Environmental, Mechanical, Operations Support, Transportation, Safety and Training, Service Design, and Resource Protection.

"Greg has played an absolutely essential role in building and shaping who we are today at BNSF."

Fox plans to remain with BNSF through August to ensure a smooth transition.

“Greg has played an absolutely essential role in building and shaping who we are today at BNSF,” said Carl Ice, president and CEO. “It’s hard to think of an area that Greg hasn’t influenced – from our culture of commitment to safety, to the strategy driving our investment in technology and infrastructure, to our focus on velocity and continuous improvement throughout our operation. His intelligent and perceptive leadership, his steady vision when facing challenges, and his genuine concern for people have all been hallmarks of his leadership style and his impact on our company. We will miss Greg, and we wish Greg and his wife Lynda all the best in his retirement.”

Fox began his railroad career in 1984 as a corporate management trainee in Fort Worth. He held a variety of positions with increasing responsibility in Operations, Finance, Strategic Planning and Information Technology. Following the BNSF merger, Fox was promoted to assistant vice president in Information Systems in 1996 and played a key role in the implementation of BNSF’s Transportation Support System. He was named vice president, eBusiness, in October 1999. He was promoted to vice president, Technology Services, and chief information officer and served in that role from April 2001 to September 2002.
 
Prior to his new role, Freeman served as senior vice president, Transportation, since April 2014. Prior to assuming that role, Freeman served as vice president, Transportation, and vice president, Engineering. Freeman will report to president and CEO Carl Ice and will join BNSF’s Executive Team.

“Dave is a strong, resilient, empowering leader, who has led many teams across Operations to deliver outstanding results,” said Ice. “We are fortunate to have someone of Dave’s caliber in this role. With his deep commitment to safe production and his exceptional ability to develop and foster others, he will be a great leader on the journey going forward. We look forward to his important contributions in this executive role.”

Freeman began his career with BNSF in 2001 as assistant vice president, Fort Worth Service Region. He subsequently served as general manager, Gulf Division; general superintendent, Transportation; and assistant vice president, Intermodal and Automotive Operations. He was named assistant vice president and chief engineer, South Engineering Operations, in 2004 and was promoted to regional vice president, North Operations, in June 2006.

Freeman has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Lehigh University.

About BNSF
BNSF Railway is one of North America’s leading freight transportation companies operating on 32,500 route miles of track in 28 states, and also operates in three Canadian provinces. BNSF is one of the top transporters of consumer goods, grain and agricultural products, low-sulfur coal, and industrial goods such as petroleum, chemicals, housing materials, food and beverages. BNSF’s shipments help feed, clothe, supply, and power American homes and businesses every day. BNSF and its employees have developed one of the most technologically advanced, and efficient railroads in the industry. We work continuously to improve the value of the safety, service, energy, and environmental benefits we provide to our customers and the communities we serve. You can learn more about BNSF at www.BNSF.com.