CSX COO Mike Cory Announces Retirement as Railroad Restructures Operations Leadership
CSX Corporation a major North American freight railroad operator, has announced the retirement of Mike Cory, executive vice president and chief operating officer. Cory will work with the company’s leadership team to support a smooth transition as CSX adjusts its operations leadership structure.
Cory’s retirement marks a leadership change for the company’s operations organization, which oversees essential functions supporting railroad safety, network performance, transportation services and customer commitments. During his time at CSX, Cory contributed to efforts to improve operational productivity, strengthen safety performance and develop experienced leaders across the organization.
Steve Angel, president and chief executive officer of CSX, thanked Cory for his leadership and long-standing contributions to the railroad industry. The company also highlighted the importance of maintaining continuity across its operations as responsibilities are redistributed among senior executives.
As part of the leadership change, Doug Ryhorchuk, senior vice president of Operations, and Casey Albright, senior vice president of Network Operations and Service Design, will report directly to Angel. Both executives bring substantial railroad experience and oversee functions that are central to CSX’s transportation network and service delivery.The changes are intended to maintain operational continuity while reinforcing the company’s priorities of safe railroad operations, reliable freight transportation and long-term business performance.
Mike Cory Concludes His Tenure at CSX
Cory has spent much of his professional career in the railroad industry and has played an important role in CSX’s operations organization. As executive vice president and chief operating officer, he held a senior leadership position overseeing activities that support the company’s railroad operations and freight transportation services.
CSX credited Cory with helping advance safety and productivity performance while developing a strong pipeline of leadership talent within the operations organization. These responsibilities are particularly important in freight rail, where safe and efficient operations depend on coordination across transportation, engineering, mechanical services and network planning.
Railroad operations involve the movement of freight across extensive networks of tracks, terminals and interchange points. Maintaining reliable service requires effective coordination between operating teams, equipment management, infrastructure maintenance and scheduling functions. Senior operations leaders play a significant role in ensuring that these activities work together to support customers.In announcing Cory’s retirement, Angel recognized his contributions to the company, its employees and its customers.
Angel said Cory had dedicated his career to the railroad industry and had helped CSX achieve strong safety and productivity results. He also acknowledged Cory’s work in developing future leaders across the operations organization.
On behalf of CSX and its board of directors, Angel expressed appreciation for Cory’s leadership and commitment to the company, while wishing him well in retirement.Cory will work with the leadership team during the transition period. This arrangement is intended to support an orderly handover of responsibilities and help the company maintain continuity across its operating functions.
CSX Adjusts Its Operations Reporting Structure
Alongside the retirement announcement, CSX confirmed that Doug Ryhorchuk and Casey Albright will report directly to CEO Steve Angel.The change brings two experienced operations executives into a direct reporting relationship with the company’s chief executive. Their respective areas of responsibility cover major elements of railroad operations, from transportation and equipment functions to network planning and service design.
Ryhorchuk serves as senior vice president of Operations and oversees transportation, engineering and mechanical functions. His responsibilities include activities associated with moving freight, maintaining operating efficiency and supporting safe railroad performance.Albright, senior vice president of Network Operations and Service Design, leads the development and execution of service plans intended to improve network fluidity and service reliability.
These functions are closely connected. Transportation operations determine how trains and freight movements are executed, while engineering and mechanical teams help maintain the infrastructure and equipment required for those movements. Network planning and service design help coordinate resources and schedules to support consistent customer service.By establishing direct reporting relationships with Angel, CSX is changing how these senior operating responsibilities connect with executive leadership. The company said it remains confident in the experience and capabilities of its operations management team.
The announcement did not identify a successor to Cory by name or describe any additional executive appointments. Instead, it emphasized the depth of the existing leadership team and the company’s intention to maintain its current operational priorities.
Doug Ryhorchuk Brings Extensive Railroad Experience
Ryhorchuk brings nearly four decades of experience at Canadian National Railway (CN) before joining CSX in 2024.His background provides substantial experience in railroad operations, an area that requires coordination among employees, locomotives, freight cars, track infrastructure and operating schedules. Managing these resources efficiently is important for maintaining service consistency and controlling operating costs.
At CSX, Ryhorchuk oversees transportation, engineering and mechanical functions. These responsibilities place him across several core areas of the company’s operating network.Transportation activities support the movement of freight between origins, destinations, terminals and connecting railroads. Engineering functions help maintain the physical railroad infrastructure, while mechanical operations support the availability and condition of locomotives and freight cars.
Together, these areas influence the railroad’s ability to operate safely, use its assets efficiently and deliver shipments according to customer requirements.
Rail freight operators must also respond to changing traffic volumes, equipment needs, weather conditions and infrastructure constraints. Coordinating these factors requires experienced management and close collaboration across operating departments.CSX highlighted Ryhorchuk’s focus on safety and efficiency as part of his current responsibilities. With his reporting line moving directly to Angel, he will continue overseeing the functions assigned to him while working within the company’s revised leadership structure.His experience at CN and CSX provides an established background in the operational requirements of a large freight railroad. CSX said it has confidence in its operations leadership as the company moves through the transition.
Casey Albright Continues Leading Network Operations and Service Design
Albright has nearly 30 years of service with CSX and leads Network Operations and Service Design.His responsibilities include designing and executing service plans intended to strengthen network fluidity and improve service reliability. These functions help determine how railroad resources and schedules are organized to move freight across the network.
Network fluidity is important because disruptions or inefficiencies in one part of a railroad can affect movements elsewhere. Delays, congestion, equipment imbalances and scheduling challenges can influence train performance and the timing of customer deliveries.
Effective service design helps coordinate operating plans with available resources and transportation requirements. It also supports the company’s ability to manage freight flows and maintain more consistent service across its network.
Service reliability is a key consideration for customers that depend on rail transportation to move commodities, industrial materials, agricultural products and other freight. Businesses need dependable transportation schedules to coordinate production, inventory, distribution and connections with other modes of transport.
Albright’s long tenure at CSX gives him extensive familiarity with the company’s network and operating practices. His role in developing and executing service plans makes his function an important part of the company’s broader operational strategy.
Under the new reporting structure, Albright will report directly to Angel while continuing to lead Network Operations and Service Design.CSX said its operations organization has considerable experience and that it remains confident in the leadership team responsible for maintaining service performance and supporting customers.
Safety Remains a Central Operational Priority
CSX identified safe operations as a continuing priority following the leadership announcement.Railroad safety depends on consistent operating procedures, employee training, equipment maintenance, infrastructure condition and effective coordination across departments. Leadership teams must ensure that safety requirements remain integrated into everyday operating decisions.For freight railroads, safety is closely linked to operational performance. Maintaining equipment, managing train movements and coordinating maintenance activities all contribute to the safe movement of freight across the network.
Angel said the company’s priorities remain unchanged despite the leadership transition. These include operating safely, delivering consistent and reliable customer service, and creating long-term value for shareholders.The company also emphasized the experience of Ryhorchuk, Albright and the broader operations organization as a foundation for maintaining its operating standards.
Cory’s retirement will therefore take place within a structure that retains experienced leaders across transportation, engineering, mechanical operations and network service planning.The transition arrangement, including Cory’s involvement in supporting the handover, is intended to help the organization continue its work without losing focus on its operational responsibilities.
Reliable Freight Service Remains a Key Objective
Reliable service is essential to CSX’s role in the North American freight transportation system. Railroads connect industrial facilities, distribution centers, ports, terminals and other freight destinations, helping businesses move goods over long distances.Customers depend on consistent service to manage supply chains and coordinate shipments with production and distribution schedules. Changes in train operations, equipment availability or network conditions can affect transit times and the ability to meet delivery expectations.
CSX’s operations leadership is responsible for coordinating the activities that support this service. Transportation teams manage freight movements, engineering and mechanical teams support infrastructure and equipment, and network operations personnel design service plans that help coordinate the system.
The company’s leadership structure places these interconnected functions under experienced executives with established railroad backgrounds.
Ryhorchuk’s responsibilities span transportation, engineering and mechanical operations, while Albright focuses on network planning and service execution. Their reporting relationships with Angel are intended to support continued oversight of these areas following Cory’s retirement.CSX said the company will continue working to improve its operating performance and provide reliable service to customers. The announcement did not introduce new service targets or specific operational initiatives, but reaffirmed the existing focus on safety, reliability and efficiency.
Leadership Continuity and Long-Term Performance
The retirement of a chief operating officer represents an important leadership transition for a railroad company, given the scale and complexity of its operating network. Maintaining continuity in operational decision-making is essential to supporting employees, customers and the company’s broader business objectives.CSX’s announcement emphasized the depth of its internal leadership team and the experience available across key operating functions.
Ryhorchuk’s previous experience at CN and his current responsibilities at CSX provide an established operational background. Albright’s nearly three decades with CSX provide extensive familiarity with the company’s network operations and service planning.By having both executives report directly to Angel, CSX is adjusting its executive reporting structure while retaining leadership across the main operating functions identified in the announcement.
Angel said he has confidence in Ryhorchuk, Albright and the broader operations organization. He reiterated that the company’s focus remains on safe operations, dependable customer service and long-term shareholder value.The company also acknowledged Cory’s contributions to developing leaders throughout the operations organization, an effort that can help support continuity as responsibilities change.
CSX Reaffirms Its Operational Priorities
CSX’s announcement on October 12, 2026, confirms Mike Cory’s retirement as executive vice president and chief operating officer and outlines the associated changes to the company’s operations leadership structure.Cory will work with the leadership team to support a smooth transition. Ryhorchuk and Albright will report directly to Angel, continuing to oversee their respective areas of responsibility.
The company highlighted the executives’ experience and reaffirmed its commitment to safety, efficiency, service reliability and long-term business performance.
While the leadership change marks the conclusion of Cory’s tenure in his current role, CSX said it remains confident in the strength of its operations organization and its ability to serve customers.As the transition proceeds, the company’s stated priorities remain consistent: operating safely, delivering dependable freight transportation services and continuing to improve performance across its North American railroad network.
About CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural and consumer products. For nearly 200 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation’s economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population resides. It also links approximately 250 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike.