CN Announces Executive Changes to COO and CCO Roles
CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) announced on October 20, 2025 the appointments of Patrick Whitehead as Executive Vice‑President and Chief Operating Officer and Janet Drysdale as Executive Vice‑President and Chief Commercial Officer, effective immediately.
Patrick, 50, brings over 30 years of railroad experience and has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Network Operating Officer since October 2023. Janet, 53, has nearly 30 years at CN, has been serving as interim Chief Commercial Officer since July 2025, and is bilingual. The announcement notes the departure of Derek Taylor and emphasizes leadership continuity and shareholder focus.
CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) ha annunciato il 20 ottobre 2025 le nomine di Patrick Whitehead come Executive Vice‑President e Chief Operating Officer e di Janet Drysdale come Executive Vice‑President e Chief Commercial Officer, con effetto immediato.
Patrick, 50 anni, porta oltre 30 anni di esperienza nel trasporto ferroviario ed è stato Executive Vice President e Chief Network Operating Officer dal ottobre 2023. Janet, 53 anni, ha quasi 30 anni in CN, è stata interim Chief Commercial Officer dal luglio 2025, ed è bilingue. L'annuncio segnala la partenza di Derek Taylor e sottolinea la continuità della leadership e l'attenzione agli azionisti.
CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) anunció el 20 de octubre de 2025 los nombramientos de Patrick Whitehead como Vicepresidente Ejecutivo y Director de Operaciones y de Janet Drysdale como Vicepresidente Ejecutivo y Directora Comercial, con efecto inmediato.
Patrick, de 50 años, aporta más de 30 años de experiencia ferroviaria y se ha desempeñado como Vicepresidente Ejecutivo y Chief Network Operating Officer desde octubre de 2023. Janet, de 53 años, tiene casi 30 años en CN, ha ocupado el puesto de Interim Chief Commercial Officer desde julio de 2025, y es bilingüe. El anuncio señala la salida de Derek Taylor y enfatiza la continuidad de liderazgo y el enfoque en los accionistas.
CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) 는 2025년 10월 20일에 Patrick Whitehead를 Executive Vice‑President 겸 Chief Operating Officer로, Janet Drysdale를 Executive Vice‑President 겸 Chief Commercial Officer로 임명했고, 즉시 발효됩니다.
Patrick, 50세, 30년 넘는 철도 경력을 보유하고 있으며, 2023년 10월부터 Executive Vice President 및 Chief Network Operating Officer로 재직 중입니다. Janet, 53세, CN에서 거의 30년의 경력이 있으며, 2025년 7월부터 Interim Chief Commercial Officer를 역임했고, 이중언어 구사자입니다. 발표문은 Derek Taylor의 퇴임을 언급하고 리더십의 연속성과 주주에 대한 집중을 강조합니다.
CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) a annoncé le 20 octobre 2025 les nominations de Patrick Whitehead au poste de Vice-président exécutif et Chief Operating Officer et de Janet Drysdale au poste de Vice-présidente exécutive et Chief Commercial Officer, à effet immédiat.
Patrick, âgé de 50 ans, apporte plus de 30 ans d’expérience dans le secteur ferroviaire et a occupé le poste de Vice-président exécutif et Chief Network Operating Officer depuis octobre 2023. Janet, 53 ans, compte près de 30 ans chez CN, occupe le poste de Chief Commercial Officer intérimaire depuis juillet 2025, et est bilingue. L’annonce mentionne le départ de Derek Taylor et met l’accent sur la continuité du leadership et l’orientation actionnariale.
CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) gab am 20. Oktober 2025 die Ernennungen von Patrick Whitehead zum Executive Vice‑President und Chief Operating Officer sowie von Janet Drysdale zum Executive Vice‑President und Chief Commercial Officer bekannt, mit sofortiger Wirkung.
Patrick, 50 Jahre alt, bringt über 30 Jahre Erfahrung in der Bahnbranche mit und ist seit Oktober 2023 als Executive Vice President und Chief Network Operating Officer tätig. Janet, 53 Jahre, hat fast 30 Jahre bei CN und ist seit Juli 2025 als Interim Chief Commercial Officer tätig und ist zweisprachig. Die Mitteilung verweist auf den Weggang von Derek Taylor und betont Kontinuität in der Führung und Fokus auf die Aktionäre.
CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) أعلنت في 20 أكتوبر 2025 عن تعيين باتريك وايتهيد كنائب رئيس تنفيذي ومدير عمليات ونات جنت Drysdale كنائبة رئيس تنفيذي ومدير تجاري، اعتباراً من التنفيذ الفوري.
Patrick، 50 عاماً، يجلب أكثر من 30 عاماً من الخبرة في صناعة السكك الحديدية، وكان يشغل منذ أكتوبر 2023 منصب نائب الرئيس التنفيذي ومدير شبكة التشغيل. Janet، 53 عاماً، لديها ما يقرب من 30 عاماً في CN، وكانت تشغل منصب القائم بأعمال المدير التجاري منذ يوليو 2025، وهي ثنائية اللغة. يشير الإعلان إلى مغادرة Derek Taylor ويؤكد استمرارية القيادة وتركز المساهمين.
CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) 在 2025年10月20日 宣布任命 Patrick Whitehead 为执行副总裁兼首席运营官， Janet Drysdale 为执行副总裁兼首席商业官，立即生效。
Patrick，50岁，拥有超过 30年的铁路经验，自 2023年10月 起担任执行副总裁兼首席网络运营官。Janet，53岁，在 CN 工作近 30年，自 2025年7月 起担任临时首席商业官，且具备双语能力。公告提及 Derek Taylor 的离任，并强调领导层的延续性及对股东的关注。
- Patrick Whitehead has >30 years rail experience, promoting operational continuity
- Patrick served as Executive VP & Chief Network Operating Officer since October 2023
- Janet Drysdale has nearly 30 years at CN and was interim CCO since July 2025
- Both appointees are based in Montreal, supporting centralized leadership
- Departure of Derek Taylor announced October 20, 2025
Appointments Confirm Experienced Railroaders in Critical Roles
MONTREAL, Oct. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) announced today the appointments of Patrick Whitehead as Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer as well as Janet Drysdale as Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer, effective immediately. Patrick’s appointment follows the departure of Derek Taylor from the Company.
“Janet and Pat are key drivers of CN's efforts to achieve new levels of operational, commercial and customer service excellence. Their proven cross-functional leadership is instrumental in delivering value for our shareholders and customers. I look forward to working closely with them,” said Tracy Robinson, President and Chief Executive Officer at CN. "I thank Derek for his contributions to the Company and wish him the best in the future."
Biographical Notes
Patrick, 50, is an accomplished executive with over 30 years of railroad experience, over 25 of which have been in management positions in Transportation and Mechanical operations. Patrick was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Network Operating Officer in October 2023. He holds a Master of Science degree in Transportation Management from the University of Denver and has completed the Wharton School of Business’ Advanced Management and Corporate Governance programs. Pat will be based in Montreal and has been taking French classes since 2023.
Janet, 53, spent the first decade of her nearly 30-year career at CN in a variety of roles in Sales and Marketing. She is a seasoned and versatile leader with significant cross-functional experience having held executive positions at CN in Investor Relations, Finance, Corporate/Business Development, Sustainability, and serving as Chief Commercial Officer on an interim basis since July 2025. Prior to that, she was CN’s Chief Stakeholder Relations Officer. Bilingual and based in Montreal since 1997, Janet holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from Queen's University and an MBA from McGill University.
About CN
CN powers the economy by safely transporting more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year for its customers. With its nearly 20,000-mile rail network and related transportation services, CN connects Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. Midwest and the U.S. Gulf Coast, contributing to sustainable trade and the prosperity of the communities in which it operates since 1919.
Contacts:
| Media | Investment Community |
| Jonathan Abecassis | Stacy Alderson |
| Director, Public Affairs and | Assistant Vice-President |
| Media Relations | Investor Relations |
| (438) 455-3692 | (514) 399-0052 |
| media@cn.ca | investor.relations@cn.ca |
FAQ
Who did CN appoint as COO on October 20, 2025 (CNI)?
Who is CN's new Chief Commercial Officer as of October 20, 2025 (CNI)?
What experience does Patrick Whitehead bring to the COO role at CN (CNI)?
Was Janet Drysdale serving in a commercial role at CN before October 20, 2025 (CNI)?
Did CN announce any executive departures alongside the October 20, 2025 appointments (CNI)?
