Butler succeeds Jack Koraleski, who was recently appointed acting president and chief executive officer while Chairman Jim Young is on medical leave. He has nearly 26 years of experience with the railroad, most recently serving as vice president and general manager for industrial products.
Succeeding Butler as head of industrial products is Bradley A. Thrasher, who has been at the Omaha, Neb.-based railroad for 24 years. Thrasher most recently served as assistant vice president and general manager for Union Pacific Distribution Services (UPDS).
Kate M. Betsworth has been promoted to assistant vice president and general manager for UPDS, and was most recently assistant vice president for industrial products.
UP also named Gayla L. Thal senior vice president of law and general counsel. She succeeds J. Michael Hemmer, who will serve in an advisory role until retiring later this year. Thal has nearly 32 years of experience with the railroad, most recently serving as vice president of law and chief compliance officer.
The railroad promoted Michael L. Whitcomb to vice president of law and chief compliance officer, succeeding Thal. Whitcomb has more than 33 years with UP, most recently serving as assistant vice president of law.
In addition, Bob Belt was appointed to assistant vice president of law. He has 13 years of experience with UP, most recently serving as general solicitor.
