Kansas City Southern Promotes Three Senior Level Operating Officers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kansas City Southern (KCS) (NYSE:KSU - News) announced today the promotion of three senior level operating officers, effective March 1.

David R. Ebbrecht was promoted from senior vice president operations to executive vice president operations for KCS and its U.S. subsidiaries and closely coordinating with the leadership of Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (KCSM). Mr. Ebbrecht reports to KCS president and chief executive officer David L. Starling.

John S. Jacobsen was promoted from vice president and chief engineer to senior vice president and chief engineer for KCS’ U.S. subsidiaries, also closely coordinating with the leadership of KCSM. Mr. Jacobsen reports to Mr. Starling.

Oscar A. Del Cueto was promoted from vice president operations to senior vice president operations for KCSM. Mr. Del Cueto coordinates with Mr. Ebbrecht.

Mr. Ebbrecht has 23 years of transportation industry experience. He joined KCS in 2001 and has held positions in strategic planning, materials logistics, business development, transportation management and network operations. He has also held transportation positions with CSX and the U.S. Army. Mr. Ebbrecht holds a master of business administration from the University of Missouri Kansas City and a bachelor of science in general engineering and psychology from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

“This promotion is recognition of the tremendous leadership that Dave has been providing over the last two years,” said Mr. Starling. “Under his leadership, the operations team is continually improving the efficiency of our cross border network and the service we’re providing to our customers.”

Mr. Jacobsen has 40 years of railroad industry experience. He re-joined KCS as vice president and chief engineer in 2008. He held the same position from 1993 to 2001. In the interim, he provided consultation to KCS’ subsidiary Superior Tie and Timber and was integral to the rebuilding of the Panama Canal Railway. Prior to his career with KCS, Mr. Jacobsen held engineering positions with MidSouth Railroad (purchased by KCS in 1993) and Illinois Central. Mr. Jacobsen holds a bachelor of science from Southern Illinois University.

“Under John’s leadership, the engineering and maintenance of way team has done a great job to maintain our railroad, despite some tough economic times,” said Mr. Starling. “His expertise will continue to serve us well, as we add capacity to serve our customers.”

Mr. Del Cueto has 20 years of railroad experience. He joined the company known today as KCSM in 1997 and has held a number of transportation positions. He holds a communications degree from Mexico University.

“Oscar’s expertise and leadership in Mexico was vital to our company’s ability to work as a team and quickly recover from Hurricane Alex last year, and will continue to be essential as we enhance both intra-Mexico and cross border service offerings,” said Mr. Ebbrecht.

“Oscar is well-respected in the railroad industry in Mexico,” said KCSM president and executive representative Jose G. Zozaya. “He is KCSM’s top operating officer and has been integral to the success of our integrated leadership team.”

Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., KCS is a transportation holding company that has railroad investments in the U.S., Mexico and Panama. Its primary U.S. holding is The Kansas City Southern Railway Company, serving the central and south central U.S. Its international holdings include KCSM, serving northeastern and central Mexico and the port cities of Lázaro Cárdenas, Tampico and Veracruz, and a 50 percent interest in Panama Canal Railway Company, providing ocean-to-ocean freight and passenger service along the Panama Canal. KCS’ North American rail holdings and strategic alliances are primary components of a NAFTA Railway system, linking the commercial and industrial centers of the U.S., Mexico and Canada.