People
March 23, 2026
Union Pacific Recognizes CEO Excellence Awards Recipients Who Helped Deliver Historic Year
Union Pacific celebrated its second annual CEO Excellence Awards with an evening dedicated to the employees at the heart of the railroad’s success.
This year, 46 honorees were recognized for rising to meet – and lead through – a period of historic change, advancing Union Pacific’s Safety, Service and Operational Excellence strategy and laying the foundation to build America’s first transcontinental railroad
“We delivered best-ever safety, service and financial results while working to transform our industry,” said CEO Jim Vena to the audience of 170-plus honorees, guests and executive hosts. “This success was driven by the excellence of our people, and I could not be prouder of tonight’s recipients.”
Vena created the awards to celebrate the teams who pursue the possible and achieve it. The nine award categories are tied to the pillars of Union Pacific’s Safety, Service and Operational Excellence strategy: Safety, Service, People, Asset Utilization, Cost Leadership, Growth, and the best-performing Transportation, Mechanical and Engineering teams. This year’s winners included a tie for the Spirit of Union Pacific Award.
A cross-departmental committee selected award recipients from nearly 260 employee submissions and used performance-based metrics to identify the best-performing Operating teams. With the winning groups ranging in size from 9 to 1,600 employees, leaders selected representatives to attend the in-person recognition event and accept a trophy created from a slice of authentic Union Pacific rail.
Winning teams will hold local celebration events to acknowledge all employees who contributed to their award win, displaying the trophy and thanking them with a special CEO Excellence Awards coin and pin.
“We’re here as a group to win and be the best,” Vena said. “There is nothing we can’t do together, especially when we have the support of the loved ones who are with us today.”
Learn more about Union Pacific’s newest CEO Excellence Awards recipients in these nomination form excerpts.
J.C. Kenefick Safety Award: John Varnell, locomotive engineer, Transportation
“John’s teammates know him as someone who listens first, communicates clearly and turns field challenges into practical, safe solutions. On his own time, he’s educated more than 5,000 people about grade crossing safety and safe driving – working with schools, community leaders and local businesses to protect the public around our tracks. John makes everyone around him safer: at work, at home and in the communities we serve.”
Abraham Lincoln Service Excellence Award: Harriman Dispatching Center Iron Pulse Initiative Team
“Iron Pulse launched with one clear goal: align the Harriman Dispatching Center (HDC) with our Safety, Service and Operational Excellence strategy to provide safe and reliable service to our customers. This team implemented more than 140 standardized processes while bringing together Transportation, Engineering, Mechanical and Safety to operate as one. They built a culture of discipline supported by internal accountability and real-time collaboration – reducing variability and strengthening safety and service across the network.”
Spirit of Union Pacific Award: Litigation Team
“This cross-functional team from Law, Marketing and Sales, and Finance partnered across our railroad, built trusted relationships and engaged employees at every level to tell Union Pacific’s story with clarity and credibility. They defended our values, our decisions and the way we do business. Their commitment to honor, collaboration and perseverance truly reflects the Spirit of Union Pacific.”
Spirit of Union Pacific Award: Merger Deal Team
“This team played critical roles in developing the business case for the deal and supporting the negotiations of the agreement that will create America’s first transcontinental railroad. Their teamwork, discipline and commitment helped advance the largest transportation merger in history and position Union Pacific for transformative growth.”
Shield of Excellence in Asset Utilization Award: Uber Crew Optimization Team
“This cross-functional team reimagined how we move one of our most important assets – our crews. They thoughtfully integrated Uber to optimize our crew transportation options and to do it at scale. This innovation mindset unlocked real value for Union Pacific and our employees, reducing lead times by 84%. We have seen a 99% pickup success rate, fewer delays, improved crew utilization and crews getting where they need to be – faster and more reliably.”
E.H. Harriman Cost Leadership Award: Labor Negotiation Strategy Team
“This team took a more strategic and collaborative approach to labor negotiations – moving from national bargaining to local, system-level agreements that better reflect how we operate day to day, including the daily work needs of our employees. By working directly with our unions, they reached agreements covering 15 crafts to finish the round in record time. Their work helps keep Union Pacific strong and competitive – protecting jobs, supporting our employees and ensuring we continue delivering reliable service to our customers for years to come.”
Summit Award: Plastics Growth Team
“Through smart strategy and relentless customer engagement, this team helped position Union Pacific as the clear partner of choice in the plastics market. They showed up, not just visiting customer facilities but reviewing schematics of their plants, walking the Union Pacific yards, creating solutions and sharing intricacies of how we would serve the customer’s plant. This team is proof that when we combine hustle, teamwork and customer focus, we win.”
Steel Wheel Award: Los Angeles Basin Mechanical Team
“The performance of the Los Angeles Basin matters systemwide – and this team delivered. They introduced a second traveling car inspector role to assist in variability events, driving a 1.9 mile-per-hour increase in train velocity and cutting recrew costs. They reduced locomotive and car dwell times, and generated millions in fuel savings. But what stands out most is the culture – an employee-driven safety program led by peer safety captains. This team doesn’t just maintain equipment: They protect the network. They strengthen the operation. And they do it together.”
Golden Spike Award: Coffeyville Signal Maintenance Team
“This team sets the benchmark for safe, reliable, disciplined signal operations. They participate in every safety effort, maintain exceptional compliance, and stay ahead of inspections and testing like it’s a competitive sport. They delivered major upgrades to wayside and crossing signals, cleared every switch alarm with 100% accuracy and worked seamlessly with other departments to restore service quickly whenever interruptions occurred. Every day, they protect our employees, customers and communities.”
Building America Award: Settegast Terminal Team
“Railroading is the ultimate team sport – and nowhere is that more evident than in a terminal. Over the past year, Settegast improved every KPI while leading their teams through major infrastructure upgrades. They kept a sharp focus on efficiency and resource management, reduced derailments by 42% and worked the entire year without a personal injury. The Settegast team proves that when we focus on safety first and work as a team, service and performance follow.”
