BNSF Names New COO as Matt Garland Departs After 5 Months

BNSF Railway has undergone a significant leadership transition in its operations division, promoting Craig Morehouse to chief operations officer after Matt Garland's departure following just five months in the role. This executive reshuffle reflects ongoing pressure from parent company Berkshire Hathaway to improve operational metrics, particularly the railroad's operating ratio—a critical efficiency benchmark. Morehouse brings extensive internal experience, having held progressively senior roles across BNSF's network operations since joining the company in 2006.

The timing of this transition carries strategic implications for BNSF as it navigates heightened competitive pressures and regulatory scrutiny within the North American rail sector. With Union Pacific pursuing a historic merger with Norfolk Southern, major western railroads face mounting expectations to demonstrate operational excellence and cost discipline. 9% operating ratio in Q1—suggest the organization is responding to these pressures, though leadership continuity challenges may present near-term coordination risks.

For supply chain professionals, this development warrants attention as changes in railroad COO positions can influence service design priorities, network investments, and customer-facing policies. Morehouse's transition from network operations and service design roles positions him to potentially reshape how BNSF balances efficiency targets with service reliability—a critical factor for shippers dependent on consistent rail capacity.