John D. Abrahamson
Shoreview,USA
Summary
Transportation and logistics operations executive with consistent success involving maximizing resources and ROI/profitability, while developing talent to provide for the most efficient/lean operation of the Network and to lead a team toward the execution of desired outcomes and solutions.
I am a visionary, with the ability to quickly identify process improvement opportunities, and advance the organization towards future state of desired outcomes and solutions. A highly creative individual, thinking beyond status quo, with ability to enable direct reports to achieve momentous results beyond what they themselves believe they are capable of. Purposeful, with major strengths including process management, self-motivation, skilled collaborator, with the ability to prioritize and function under stress.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
General Director Transportation
BNSF Railway
03.2022 - Current
- To oversee train and yard operations on the Twin Cities Division, by optimizing customer service and train performance (e.g., terminal velocity), with emphasis on enhancing safety, productivity, and efficiency
- Work within the scope of corporate objectives; providing efficient service, control cost, optimizing assets, and ensuring the team is operating safely and developing people for optimal succession planning
NOC General Director Transportation
BNSF Railway
12.2018 - 03.2022
- In 2018, BNSF adjusted the Network Operations Center (NOC) organization to strengthen dispatching operations and improve accountability for dispatching performance
- This reorganization also enhanced interdivisional and regional communication and coordination with the ultimate outcome of optimizing train performance
- As part of this reorganization, a new position was created, named Network Operation Center General Director of Transportation (NOC GDT) with primary responsibility to drive NOC safety improvements and incident reduction, execute the operating plan across region and system touch points and interface with functional groups to maximize system throughput, asset utilization and on-time performance
- The dispatching centers located within Spring and San Bernardino offices, in addition to the Service Interruption Desk, report directly to the NOC GDT
- This new position has further streamlined operations within the organization, enhancing safety, velocity, and corporate agility
General Manager; US – Transportation
Canadian Pacific
07.2017 - 11.2018
- Responsibility for the Network Operations Center, overseeing complete CP rail operations within the Unites States
- Optimize customer service and train performance (e.g., terminal velocity), with emphasis on enhancing safety, productivity, and efficiency
- Work within the scope of corporate objectives; providing efficient service, control cost, optimizing assets, and ensuring the team is operating safely and developing people for optimal succession planning
General Manager; US-West
Canadian Pacific
10.2016 - 07.2017
- Responsibility for railway operations within North Dakota, Minnesota, and portions of Illinois and Iowa
- Optimize customer service and train performance (e.g., terminal velocity), with emphasis on enhancing safety, productivity, and efficiency
- Work within the scope of corporate objectives; providing efficient service, control cost, optimizing assets, and ensuring the team is operating safely and developing people for optimal succession planning
General Director Transportation
BNSF Railway
10.2013 - 10.2016
- To oversee train and yard operations on the Twin Cities Division, by optimizing customer service and train performance (e.g., terminal velocity), with emphasis on enhancing safety, productivity, and efficiency
- Work within the scope of corporate objectives; providing efficient service, control cost, optimizing assets, and ensuring the team is operating safely and developing people for optimal succession planning
terminal Superintendent
BNSF Railway
07.2010 - 10.2013
- Coordinate the overall operation of the terminal complex to provide optimum and safe utilization of workforce and equipment, as well as provide a transportation service that satisfies our customer service objectives
- Monitor terminal performance to ensure a safe, efficient, and economical operation
- Lead, train and develop the skills of subordinates to achieve optimum quality, performance, and productivity in the operations of the terminal
- Maintain and review statistics concerning costs of operations, Cost Center (RESBU) and daily reports to identify trends and appropriate actions to correct unfavorable trends
- Interact with customers to meet their service needs
- Review daily car handling and operating procedures to improve efficiency and correct inefficiencies
- Take a leadership role in the administration of Safety and Accident Prevent and Safety Auditing Programs; direct, support and facilitate an overall effort to provide a safe work environment and ensure safe work practices of terminal personnel
- Maintain communication with customers, area short line railroads and other internal departments, as necessary
- Maintain communication and working relationship with union representatives regarding labor agreements, grievances, and discipline
- Ensure compliance and application of company policies, including BNSF Visions and Values, Equal Employment Policy, Safety Rules, and applicable scheduled agreements, align with government regulations
Superintendent of Operations
BNSF Railway
10.2008 - 07.2010
- Plan, organize and supervise subordinates in coordinating safe and economical train and switch engine movements within the division
- Coordinate supervision of train makeup, blocking and on-time departures and arrivals throughout the division
- Maintain frequent contact with BNSF customers to ensure that quality service is provided
- Communicate and respond to inquiries made by federal, state and city officials
- Identify training and development needs of direct reports to enhance their productivity, leadership, and safety awareness
- Proactively manage the workforce to ensure that BNSF employees understand and comply with the company's policies, programs, and rules
- Assist the ongoing prioritization, scheduling and execution of the capital, operating production maintenance activities across the Division
- Ensure proper work program reporting
- Coordinate maintenance activities with division Signal, Roadway Equipment, Transportation, and Structures groups
- Assure compliance with safety rules, work practices, labor policies, regulatory requirements and personnel hiring and training objectives across the division
- Assist System Engineering personnel in developing capital maintenance and capital expansion plans
- Manage capital and operating budgets for the division
Manager Locomotive Utilization
BNSF Railway
10.2006 - 10.2008
- Accurately measure locomotive horsepower hour account balances and foreign locomotive inventories on BNSF to provide: Direct reports (i.e., locomotive managers) with information needed to effectively manage foreign engines on BNSF and to direct BNSF engines offline
- Finance department with monthly horsepower hour cash value changes for periodic income statements
- Review the foreign locomotive inventory and horsepower hour situation on BNSF daily to provide: On-Off locomotive counts by road, horsepower balance by road for current month and YTD, special initiatives updates (i.e., BNSF engines in UP coal trains; back-to-back compliance)
- Recognize and communicate opportunities to expedite the return of foreign engines systematically (i.e., matrix) or by special handling
- Serve as primary interface with class 1’s to compare horsepower hour statements, special handling requests and general fleet management inquiries
- Partner with Joint Facilities by providing locomotive event information to validate short-line invoices
- Provide technology with 'business partner' assistance for Locomotive Management Projects
Superintendent of Operations
BNSF Railway
05.2005 - 10.2006
- Plan, organize and supervise subordinates in coordinating safe and economical train and switch engine movements within the division
- Coordinate supervision of train makeup, blocking and on-time departures and arrivals throughout the division
- Maintain frequent contact with BNSF customers to ensure that quality service is provided
- Communicate and respond to inquiries made by federal, state and city officials
- Identify training and development needs of direct reports to enhance their productivity, leadership, and safety awareness
- Proactively manage the workforce to ensure that BNSF employees understand and comply with the company's policies, programs, and rules
- Assist the ongoing prioritization, scheduling and execution of the capital, operating production maintenance activities across the Division
- Ensure proper work program reporting
- Assure compliance with safety rules, work practices, labor policies, regulatory requirements and personnel hiring and training objectives across the division
- Assist System Engineering personnel in developing capital maintenance and capital expansion plans
- Manage capital and operating budgets for the division
Terminal Manager
BNSF Railway
06.2003 - 05.2005
- Provide safe and efficient operation of trains on the Northwest Division
- Ensure the implementation of policy and the development, communication, and execution of the daily operating plan
- Manage eight Trainmaster's, supervise 365 TY&E employees and plan daily train and switching operations consistent with safety and efficiency
- Conduct operations tests and safety meetings
- Monitor and control costs to meet goals
- Investigation of accidents and injuries
- Ensure compliance with BNSF’s equal employment policies, safety and operating rules, schedule agreements, and Government regulations
Terminal Trainmaster
BNSF Railway
11.2000 - 06.2003
- Provide safe and efficient operation of trains on the Texas Division
- Assist in implementing policy and the execution of the operating plan
- Supervise TY&E employees and plan daily train and switching operations consistent with safety and efficiency
- Conduct operations tests and safety meetings
- Monitor and control costs to meet goals
- Investigation of accidents and injuries
- Ensure compliance with BNSF’s equal employment policies, safety and operating rules, schedule agreements, and Government regulations
- Required shift, holiday, and weekend work
Manager of Agricultural Equipment
BNSF Railway
05.1998 - 11.2000
- Manage and control the Ag Grain fleet to ensure maximum utilization and minimum operating expense while meeting customer needs and expectations
- Tactical implementation of new equipment and overseeing cost effective asset utilization measures
- Responsibility for online inventories and cycle time management, as well as executing marketing opportunities into quantitative operating plans
Chief Dispatcher
BNSF Railway
01.1998 - 05.1998
- Coordinate with Manager Locomotive Utilization, Crew Utilization Specialists, Train Dispatchers, and field personnel to execute the service plan and manage service exceptions, such as derailments and service failures, for an assigned territory
- Keep the Director of Transportation current on all situations affecting performance of railroad operations
- Coordinate planned and unplanned track maintenance with train movements
- Manage operating crew hours of service to minimize Federal violations
- Screen, develop, train, evaluate, and supervise Train Dispatchers to ensure that rules are complied with
Train Dispatcher
BNSF Railway
12.1995 - 01.1998
- Gather and Coordinate information from field personnel, Assistant Chief Dispatchers, and Maintenance Department to efficiently manage and safely move trains, engines, and maintenance forces across a designated territory under specified priorities assigned by the Superintendent
- Preparation and planning to assist the Maintenance Department in its daily productivity
- Maintain accurate records in accordance with federal laws and regulations
Chief Crew Dispatcher
Burlington Northern
07.1995 - 12.1995
- Supervise the centralized crew dispatching office including supporting the crew dispatchers in TY&E (Trainmen, Yardmen, & Enginemen) contractual agreements relating to the crew office
- Assign TY&E employees to positions related to qualifications and seniority
- Respond to TY&E employee questions and complaints
- Assist in developing new crew dispatching operations and procedures
- Maintain and monitor crew dispatching systems to ensure accurate record keeping and data transmission to remote locations
- Approve TY&E employee claims in accordance with operating agreements
- Consult with Superintendents, Trainmasters, Yardmasters, and Local Chairmen of Labor Unions regarding accurate assignment of positions and operating practices impacting the crew dispatching office
- Assist in planning employees’ schedules and approval/disapproval of their vacations, sick days, and personal leave days
Crew Dispatcher
Burlington Northern
10.1994 - 07.1995
- Dispatch TY&E employees to outlying road assignments, pool service, local service, and yard jobs
- Management of TY&E employee’s vacations, number of sick days and number of personal leave days
- Operation of crew dispatching information and display systems
- Maintenance of accurate dispatching records and procedures
- Preparation of job bulletins and assignments of personnel in accordance with contractual labor union agreements
- Developing and furnishing of accurate and timely information to TY&E employees and field personnel
Education
Executive Study -
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX05.2007
Masters in Business Administration (MBA) -
Letourneau Christian University
Longview, TX12.2000
Bachelor of Science - Marketing Management
Missouri State University
Springfield, MO12.1992
Skills
- Servant Leadership, with accountability for self and organization
- 2018 CP CEO Award of Excellence; Optimize Assets category for the Portal Live-Lift
- Leads courageously and provides direction to team members and direct reports
- Acts with integrity and shows consistency among principles
- Ability to motivate/inspire, acquiring discretionary effort from direct reports and the organization
- Establish a sense of urgency across large complex teams to excel in safety, service, and efficiency
- Speaks effectively and fosters open communication
- Strong organizational and critical thinking skills, with ability to reprioritize
- Capable of setting and achieving both long-term and short-term goals
- Fosters teamwork with the ability to motivate others
References
Will be made available upon request.
Address
5891 Rice Creek Parkway, Condominium #130, Shoreview, MN, 55126, 80 44th Avenue NE, Minneapolis, MN, 55421
Timeline
General Director Transportation
BNSF Railway
03.2022 - Current
NOC General Director Transportation
BNSF Railway
12.2018 - 03.2022
General Manager; US – Transportation
Canadian Pacific
07.2017 - 11.2018
General Manager; US-West
Canadian Pacific
10.2016 - 07.2017
General Director Transportation
BNSF Railway
10.2013 - 10.2016
terminal Superintendent
BNSF Railway
07.2010 - 10.2013
Superintendent of Operations
BNSF Railway
10.2008 - 07.2010
Manager Locomotive Utilization
BNSF Railway
10.2006 - 10.2008
Superintendent of Operations
BNSF Railway
05.2005 - 10.2006
Terminal Manager
BNSF Railway
06.2003 - 05.2005
Terminal Trainmaster
BNSF Railway
11.2000 - 06.2003
Manager of Agricultural Equipment
BNSF Railway
05.1998 - 11.2000
Chief Dispatcher
BNSF Railway
01.1998 - 05.1998
Train Dispatcher
BNSF Railway
12.1995 - 01.1998
Chief Crew Dispatcher
Burlington Northern
07.1995 - 12.1995
Crew Dispatcher
Burlington Northern
10.1994 - 07.1995
Masters in Business Administration (MBA) -
Letourneau Christian University
Bachelor of Science - Marketing Management
Missouri State University
Executive Study -
Texas Christian University