CSX names CN veteran Mike Cory as its new chief operating officer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – CSX Transportation today named Mike Cory as its chief operating officer, a role he held at Canadian National from 2016 until his retirement in 2019.

“Mike Cory is one of the rail industry’s leading operations executives, respected for his wealth of operations knowledge and his success as a leader who understands the customers we serve and has a deep appreciation for the employees who provide that service,” CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs said in a statement today. “Mike’s reputation as a career railroader, devoted to process improvement, team building and employee development within the principles of scheduled railroading will help CSX continue to achieve new levels of safety, service, and operating efficiency.”

Cory began his railroad career in 1981 as a laborer in the CN locomotive shops in Winnipeg, Manitoba. After completing the company’s operations leadership development course, he served in a series of front-line supervisory roles before being named project manager for implementing a new operating system in Western Canada. He also served in marketing positions, working with customers to improve fleet utilization.

In 2009, Cory was appointed senior vice president of the Western Region, where he developed and implemented tools and processes that have become industry best practices, CSX said. Also during this time, he led three national labor negotiations with the union representing engineers and conductors.

As chief operating officer, Cory managed rapid volume growth in Western Canada and oversaw the completion of 49 capacity expansion projects.

Cory, who has been a consultant since retiring from CN, has completed the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.

Cory replaces Jamie Boychuk, who was dismissed on Aug. 4.

CSX also announced today that Kevin Boone, previously executive vice president of sales and marketing, is now executive vice president and chief commercial officer. The new title recognizes Boone’s breadth of existing responsibilities across CSX’s customer base and growing offering of supply chain solutions, CSX said. Boone previously led the company’s finance organization before transitioning to sales and marketing in 2021. He joined CSX in 2017, following a 17-year career in the investment industry.

“With our great team of talented leaders, I am confident that CSX will continue its momentum toward providing an industry-leading experience for our employees, customers, communities and shareholders,” Hinrichs said.