James R. Young (railroad executive) explained

Jim Young
Birth Name:James Ruesch Young
Birth Date:24 October 1952
Occupation:Railroad executive
Known For:President, CEO and chairman of Union Pacific Railroad
Education:Omaha South High School
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Bellevue University (Doctorate of Commerce, 2008)

James Ruesch Young (October 24, 1952 — February 15, 2014) was an American railroad executive who was the president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board for Union Pacific Railroad from 2006 to his death in February 2014.[1]

Early life and education

Young graduated from Omaha South High School and the University of Nebraska at Omaha.[2]

On June 7, 2008, Young received a Doctorate of Commerce from Bellevue University.[3]

Career

He began working for Union Pacific in 1978. Through a series of promotions he worked his way up the chain of command to be elected president of the railroad in January 2004. In February 2005, he was elected to the board of directors for the railroad. On January 1, 2006, he succeeded Richard K. Davidson as CEO of Union Pacific Corporation, the parent company of Union Pacific Railroad.[4]

Young assumed the additional role of chairman of the board of directors as of February 1, 2007.[5] He remained as chairman after stepping down as president and CEO.

Death

Young died on February 15, 2014, after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Stock Quotes & Company News | Reuters.com . reuters.com. 19 July 2012.
  2. Web site: Union Pacific Railroad . https://web.archive.org/web/20130522134138/http://www.up.com/aboutup/corporate_info/exec/index.htm#young . 2013-05-22 . UP: Executive Profiles - James R. Young, President and Chief Executive Officer . 2016-09-21 . dead .
  3. Bellevue University Celebrates 2008 Spring Commencement . Bellevue University . 2008-06-18 .
  4. News: Railway Age . November 18, 2005 . Young to replace Davidson at UP helm Jan. 1 . 2005-11-30 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20051210024614/http://www.railwayage.com/breaking_news.shtml . December 10, 2005 . .
  5. Union Pacific Railroad. 2007-01-30. Union Pacific Elects President and CEO James R. Young Chairman of the Board. 2007-01-31 .
  6. News: . 2014-02-15 . James Young, 61, was Union Pacific leader and visionary . https://archive.today/20140216154102/http://www.omaha.com/article/20140215/NEWS/140219033 . dead . 2014-02-16 . 2014-02-15 .