Officers & Directors
For the Year 1955
The Chicago & West Northern System
Officers ◆ Directors ◆ Department Heads
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Officers of the Road
Officers and department heads of the Chicago & West Northern System.
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R. D. Palmer
President
Founder and chief operating officer of the Chicago & West Northern. Sets the system's overall direction, manages capital expenditures, and represents the road in matters before regulatory bodies, interchange partners, and the press. Quartered at the General Offices, 400 West Madison Street, Chicago.
Johnny Nguyen
General Manager
Reports directly to the President. Responsible for the day-to-day operating affairs of the road across all operating divisions. Liaison between the President's office and the operating departments; reviews operating ratios, monitors on-time performance, and supervises division superintendents.
Louis Kujawa
Director, Electrical Department
Oversees the system's electrical infrastructure: signaling, communications, power distribution at terminals and yards, and the increasingly important matter of locomotive electrical systems on the new diesel power. Maintains liaison with manufacturers on traction motor and generator specifications.
Timothy Fron
Chief Engineer
Responsible for the design, construction, and rehabilitation of physical plant: track, bridges, structures, and grading. Reviews specifications for major capital projects and supervises the engineering staff. Particularly focused on the ongoing rehabilitation of the Overland Route between Chicago and Omaha.
Sean Flannigan
Roadmaster
Field supervisor responsible for the condition of the track and right-of-way. Walks and inspects the mainline on a regular schedule, supervises section gangs, and reports defects and rehabilitation needs up the chain to the Chief Engineer. A traditional and indispensable role on any well-run railroad.
Jason Erkenswick
Director, Locomotive and Rolling Stock Department
Manages the system's motive power and freight car fleet — acquisition, assignment, maintenance scheduling, and retirement of equipment. Negotiates leases and purchases of new diesel power, oversees the gradual retirement of remaining steam, and maintains the system's freight car interchange relationships.
From the General Offices
The officers of the Chicago & West Northern System extend their compliments to all patrons of the road. Correspondence on operating matters may be directed to the General Offices through the Contact page.