Robert Ritchie
President and CEO, Canadian Pacific Railway
Robert Ritchie wasn't named Railroader of the Year by trade mag Railway Age because he's the head honcho of a national rail company. The Calgary-based Ritchie, president and CEO of Canadian Pacific Railway, got the kudos because, deep down, he just loves trains. He views railroads as more than just big business; they are a part of history and a national symbol. And he's been busy in 2005 telling industry and government that it's the country's most efficient, environmentally benign mode of transportation. Ritchie, who started off as a marketing analyst with CPR, thinks the numbers could be much higher for the company, and the spin-offs better for Canadians, if Ottawa relaxed its grip on the industry. Ritchie has also been extra busy this year persuading the government to restructure fuel tax surcharges so that money collected from both railroaders and truckers can be used to upgrade highways and rail lines. Aided by a boost in imports and exports to Asian markets, CPR's profits have grown 54% on a year-over-year basis. - AD
How do you get people excited about the railway as a career choice?
I can't think of a more exciting time to be in the rail industry. Demand for rail service is growing as world trade expands. Rail is the environmentally friendly transportation choice as greenhouse gases reach alarming levels. Rail has room to expand within existing rights-of-way while land for highway expansion becomes scarcer. We are on the cusp of a new golden age of railroading. Technology is leading innovation, transforming our vision of what's possible and heightening our passion for this industry. More and more young men and women are recognizing rail is the industry of the future and are getting on board. For generations, "railroader" has been a badge of honour and distinction. This will be especially true for the new generation of railroader.
Who do you think is the greatest Albertan ever?
I can't think of a more exciting time to be in the rail industry. Demand for rail service is growing as world trade expands. Rail is the environmentally friendly transportation choice as greenhouse gases reach alarming levels. Rail has room to expand within existing rights-of-way while land for highway expansion becomes scarcer. We are on the cusp of a new golden age of railroading. Technology is leading innovation, transforming our vision of what's possible and heightening our passion for this industry. More and more young men and women are recognizing rail is the industry of the future and are getting on board. For generations, "railroader" has been a badge of honour and distinction. This will be especially true for the new generation of railroader.
In 100 years, will you warrant your own chapter in the history books, a footnote to great events or a single Google hit?
CPR has a footprint in three centuries. Our colourful story has been told in books, on the screen and on the stage in many different languages. As only the 15th president of this larger-than-life company in 121 years, I hope a Google hit turns up at least a page or two in the history books. I hope it characterizes me this way: modernized the assets, made shareholders wealthier, moved a Canadian icon company's headquarters to Alberta, liked the Alberta Advantage, never lost my sense of humour, was able to heli-ski into my 90s.
| 
|
