Union Pacific names Eric Butler EVP and chief administrative officer
Staff Writer |
Omaha, Neb., USA - November 18, 2016, Omaha, Neb., USA - Union Pacific, a transportation company, appointed Eric Butler EVP and chief administrative officer and Beth Whited EVP and chief marketing officer.
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Mr. Butler has served as executive vice president and chief marketing officer since March 2012.
Previously, he had been vice president and general manager – Industrial Products since 2005, after serving two years as vice president and general manager – Automotive.
Since joining the railroad in 1986, Mr. Butler has held a number of positions including vice president – Supply and vice president – Planning and Analysis.
He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and an MSIA from Carnegie Mellon University.
Mr. Butler succeeds long-time Union Pacific executive Diane Duren, who announced she will retire in February after 32 years of service. Until then, Ms. Duren will serve as senior vice president and corporate secretary.
Ms. Duren joined Union Pacific in 1985 and held a variety of positions in Finance and Marketing & Sales.
She became the first woman to lead one of Union Pacific's multi-billion dollar business units, first as vice president and general manager – Agricultural Products and then as vice president and general manager – Chemicals.
Ms. Duren earned honors from many organizations including the Women's Center for Advancement as a Tribute to Women honoree; Profiles in Diversity Journal as a "woman worth watching," and Pink magazine as one of the top 15 women in business.
She was appointed by Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert to the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority Board of Directors in 2014, and currently is the organization's Chairwoman. She also serves as vice chair of the Children's Hospital and Medical Center board.
Ms. Duren holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Creighton University, where she was awarded a Business Alumni Merit Award.
Union Pacific named Kari Kirchhoefer vice president and general manager – Chemicals, succeeding Ms. Whited.
Ms. Kirchhoefer has been assistant vice president – Industrial Products since December 2015.
During her 24 years with Union Pacific, Kirchhoefer served as president of the company's Streamline subsidiary in addition to Marketing & Sales positions in Agricultural Products and the Market Development Sales Center.
Ms. Kirchhoefer earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from Northwest Missouri State University.
Ms. Whited has led Union Pacific's Chemicals business since October 2012.
She previously was vice president of the company's National Customer Service Center and held a variety of executive roles in Strategic Planning, Investor Relations, Finance and Marketing & Sales including president of subsidiary Union Pacific Distribution Services. Ms. Whited joined the company in 1987.
She earned her bachelor's degree in business administration with a major in accounting from the University of Iowa. ■