PALESTINE — Palestine native and longtime Union Pacific Railroad employee Ken Willard recently went on what he called “the trip of a lifetime” to New York City — chosen to help his company celebrate its 150th anniversary there.

Willard, along with 10 other select employees and UP President and CEO Jack Koraleski, visited the “Big Apple” in early July to ring the closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange on July 2.

“It was a very humbling experience for me,” Willard said in a telephone interview Tuesday. “I was ecstatic about getting to go. It was a very rewarding trip — I had not been there before.”

Employees from around the company were nominated to participate in the ceremony based on a variety of criteria including demonstrated commitment to safety and teamwork, dedication to customer service and community involvement.

Willard, a car foreman in the mechanical department with 33 years at the company, was nominated for the honor by his boss, Jeff Myers.

“He told me he had nominated me,” Willard said. “I was honored by that, and was truly surprised when I got the call that I had been selected to go to New York.

“I want to thank (Myers) and my fellow employees at the Palestine car shop for affording me this opportunity.”

Willard began his work with Union Pacific after being told by his father-in-law (a shop supervisor) about an opening there. He began as a carman apprentice and later was promoted to carman and then to his current position as car foreman.

His primary role there is to prepare the car shop and oversee the production line that reworks rail cars every day while making sure the employees are doing their job safely.

“It is a job I enjoy getting up and going to every day,” Willard said. “And it is so comforting to know that I work for a company as stable as and with as much longevity as Union Pacific.”

Willard and his wife of 10 years, Brenda, spent a week in New York taking in as many sights as possible while they were there.

“I was awestruck by the city,” he said. “Two of the most memorable things to me were Wall Street and Ground Zero.”

According to Koraleski, the July 2 closing bell ceremony was as much a celebration of Union Pacific’s future as its past.

“Union Pacific has never been stronger or better positioned to serve our 10,000 customers,” Koraleski said. “Our employees truly are committed to our mission to serve and I am proud to have (had) these 11 join me to represent all of our 45,000 employees at the closing bell.”

Other closing bell participants were: Michael Beatie, Omaha, Neb.; Kimberly Fossland, Omaha; Snigdha Ganta, Omaha; Ruben Gutierrez, Laredo; George Hix, Fort Collins, Colo.; Chuck Janousek, Omaha; Ken Kuwamura, San Antonio; Rick Pica, De Soto, Mo.; Alvah Stahlnecker, Omaha; and Dwight Vinson, North Little Rock, Ark.



About Union Pacific

Founded July 1, 1862, when Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act, Union Pacific celebrates 150 years of building America.

Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP), linking 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail and providing freight solutions and logistics expertise to the global supply chain.

From 2000 through 2011, Union Pacific spent more than $31 billion on its network and operations, making needed investments in America’s infrastructure and enhancing its ability to provide safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible freight transportation.

Union Pacific’s diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers and emphasizes excellent customer service.

Union Pacific operates competitive routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada’s rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways.

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Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald