CSX New Operating Management Structure to Drive Next Phase of Railroading Transformation

CSX Corporation has announced a new operating management structure that decentralizes operational and support functions.

Designed to enhance safety, improve service, accelerate decision making and drive operating efficiency, the changes are a continuation of the company’s scheduled railroading transformation.

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“This is a proven model that pushes decision making closer to the day-to-day field operations and eliminates bureaucracy and long-standing silos within our business,” said James M. Foote, CSX president and chief executive officer.

“This new structure highlights the strength of CSX’s extremely talented operating leadership team, and will enable the company to continue driving performance improvements in a more effective and efficient way.”

The new operating management structure results in the following leadership appointments, all reporting to Ed Harris, Executive Vice President of Operations for CSX Corporation:

Bob Frulla – Senior Vice President, Operations East
Jermaine Swafford – Senior Vice President, Operations West
Jamie Boychuk - Senior Vice President, Network Operations
Amy Rice – Vice President, Intermodal Operations

Operating Management Structure Highlights:

Creation of an East and West structure with leaders responsible for all three major operations functions including transportation, mechanical and engineering. Bringing these three functions under the new operating management structure will drive significant efficiencies.
The embedding of support functions including human resources, labor relations, claims, and finance employees in the day-to-day field operations of the railroad. This will improve the speed of decision making and enhance accountability.
Oversight of safety programs, policies and practices will fall under the leadership of Jim Schwichtenberg, Vice President and Chief Safety Officer, with resources also embedded in the field.
Network-focused functions will remain centralized including service design, dispatching, crew management, positive train control and locomotive and car management.
System engineering and mechanical including locomotive shops, capital projects, back shop maintenance, communications and signals, design and construction, and regulatory compliance will fall under Brian Barr, Senior Vice President, Engineering, and Mechanical.

“We are making a fundamental shift from a headquarters-centric organization to one in which all functions are aligned with our core mission to provide the industry’s best transportation product for our customers,” said Foote.

About Bob Frulla

Bob Frulla – Senior Vice President, Operations East

Frulla was Senior Vice President of Network Operations before being named Senior Vice President of Operations East. His responsibilities included oversight of service design, crew management, dispatching, locomotive management, passenger services and positive train control.

Previously, he was Vice President of the Northern Region, and his extensive field and headquarters experience also have included roles as a Division Manager in several locations, including Jacksonville, Florida; Huntington, West Virginia; and Atlanta, Georgia. A CSX veteran of 28 years, he has a keen understanding of the needs of CSX’s customers and the communities it serves. Frulla earned a bachelor’s degree in the arts from Virginia Tech.

About Jermaine Swafford

Jermaine Swafford – Senior Vice President, Operations West

Before being named Senior Vice President of Operations West, Swafford was Senior Vice President and Chief Transportation Officer, responsible for the daily operations of CSX’s transportation network.

Having joined CSX as an assistant trainmaster in 1998, his 20 years of railroading experience includes Vice President of Regional Transportation for the Northern and Southern regions and management positions of various levels in Atlanta, Georgia; Florence, South Carolina; Cincinnati, Ohio; Jacksonville, Florida; Richmond, Virginia; and Augusta, Georgia. Swafford holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from Marshall University in West Virginia, where he was an all-American linebacker for the university’s Thundering Herd football team.

About Jamie Boychuk

Jamie Boychuk - Senior Vice President, Network Operations

Boychuk previously served as Vice President of Precision Scheduled Railroading Implementation and Intermodal Operations. He was responsible for helping ensure the proper execution of scheduled railroading across the CSX network.

Prior to joining CSX, he spent 20 years at Canadian National Railway, where he was General Manager of the Alberta and Prairie Sub-regions. He began his career as a conductor, yardmaster and locomotive engineer before moving into managerial positions in Western Canada, Eastern Canada, and the United States. His guidance has enabled increased efficiencies in terminal, line of road, and network operations at multiple railroads. Boychuk holds a business and leadership certificate from the University of Notre Dame.

About Amy Rice

Amy Rice – Vice President, Intermodal Operations

Rice was previously Vice President of Strategic Planning. She was responsible for network and capacity planning, as well as strategic transactions, policy development, and operational costing in accordance with scheduled railroading. She also oversaw operational performance measures, with active involvement in CSX’s regulatory interface early in its transition, and led the negotiation of joint facilities agreements between CSX and other railroads.

Since joining CSX in 2011, Rice has served as Vice President of Finance and Assistant Vice President of Commercial Finance, Director of Commercial Finance, and Director of Intermodal Marketing. She has also held various positions in business management and analytics at Deloitte, National City Bank (now PNC) and Citibank. Rice holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Emory University Goizueta School of Business and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

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