E. Hunter Harrison

Who is E. Hunter Harrison?

E. Hunter Harrison, is a railroad executive who has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Pacific Railway since June 29, 2012.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Harrison began his railroad career in 1964 while attending University in Memphis when he worked as a carman-oiler for the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway. Harrison was later promoted to an operator position with the "Frisco" and, later, with Burlington Northern Railroad following that company's acquisition of the Frisco in 1980. Harrison was consistently promoted at BN, eventually being appointed Vice-President - Transportation as well as Vice-President - Service Design.

Harrison left BN in 1989 to join the executive team at the Illinois Central Railroad, first as Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, culminating with his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer from 1993 to 1998. Following the acquisition of IC by Canadian National Railway in 1998, Harrison was appointed Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer by CN. Upon the retirement of Paul Tellier, Harrison was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of CN on January 1, 2003, serving in that position until his retirement on December 31, 2009. During his time at CN, Harrison was named Railroader of the Year for 2002 by industry trade journal Railway Age as well as CEO of the Year for 2007 by the Globe and Mail Report on Business. On April 29, 2009, CN announced the company's plan for succession in Harrison's position by appointing Claude Mongeau as his successor effective January 1, 2010.