Former UP exec tapped to head Amtrak

Former UP exec tapped to head Amtrak Former Union Pacific Railroad executive Alexander Kummant has been appointed president and chief executive officer of U.S. passenger rail service Amtrak, effective Sept. 12.
   “His appointment fulfills the board’s commitment to select an extraordinary strong and capable leader for Amtrak’s future, building on a strong national desire for more and improved passenger rail service,” said Amtrak Chairman David M. Laney in a statement.
   The former UP executive replaces David L. Gunn, who was fired by Amtrak’s board in November 2005.
   While at UP, Kummant served as regional vice president where he managed 6,000 employees supporting 8,000 miles of railroad. He also served as UP’s vice president and general manager of industrial products.
   Most recently Kummant was executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Komatsu America Corp., an international supplier of construction equipment.