OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad announced the appointments of several service unit superintendents at various locations across the railroad’s 32,000-mile system. The appointments were effective July 1.
David Giandinoto has been appointed general superintendent — transportation services for the Chicago Service Unit. Giandinoto is responsible for safe operation of trains on more than 1,000 miles of track in Illinois and Wisconsin. Prior to his recent appointment he had been director — transportation services for the Houston Service Unit.
Giandinoto replaces Rod Richardson who has been appointed to a position in Oakland, Calif.
Giandinoto began his railroad career in 1994 as a management trainee. He held several positions in the operating and marketing departments in Nebraska, Utah and Texas, respectively. Giandinoto graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering.
Kurt Zalar has been appointed general superintendent – transportation services for the Denver Service Unit, replacing John Rourke, who is retiring. Zalar is responsible for safe train operations on more than 2,700 miles of track in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming and parts of Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas. Prior to his recent appointment, Zalar was superintendent — transportation services at the Wichita, Kan., Service Unit.
Zalar began his railroad career in 1994 in the engineering department. He has held various positions in the operating department including train dispatcher, manager train operations, director train management and director intermodal operations. Zalar earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Utah State University.
Ruben Lopez replaces Zalar as superintendent — transportation services for the Wichita Service Unit. Lopez is responsible for safe operation of trains on more than 1,200 miles of track in Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and parts of Texas. Prior to his recent appointment, Lopez was superintendent — coal operations in Gillette, Wyo.
Lopez started his railroad career in the mechanical department at the Chicago & North Western Railroad and has held various positions in the transportation and mechanical departments. The Chicago & North Western and Union Pacific merged in 1995. Lopez graduated from the United States Military Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering.
John Huddleston has been promoted to superintendent — transportation services for the Pocatello, Idaho, Service Unit. He is responsible for safe operations of trains over more than 1,200 miles of track in Idaho and parts of Montana, Wyoming and Utah. Prior to his recent promotion, he was director — road operations for the Fort Worth, Texas, service unit.
Huddleston replaces Jeff Moore who has been appointed to a position at Union Pacific’s Harriman Dispatching Center.
Huddleston began his railroad career as a brakeman for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. He has held numerous positions in the operating department including locomotive engineer, manager — operating practices and manger — training and attendance. Huddleston earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Phoenix. The Union Pacific and Missouri Pacific merged in 1982.
Rod Richardson has been appointed superintendent — intermodal operations in Oakland, Calif. He replaces Terry Ryan who is retiring. Richardson has held various positions in the operating department during his 20 years of railroad experience.
Richardson graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and from San Francisco State University with a master’s degree in business administration.
Jeff Moore has been appointed superintendent at the Harriman Dispatch Center in Omaha, Neb. Moore began his railroad career in 1984 and held various positions in the operating department in Fort Worth, St. Louis, Chicago, Dallas, Pocatello and Los Angeles. He graduated from West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
