Keith Creel

Early life

Born in 1968 in Alabama, Creel lived a relatively quiet life until his induction into military service from 1985 to 1993. Creel spent time in both reserve and active duty, and was appointed commissioned officer during the Persian Gulf War in Saudi Arabia. Later he would say that the similarities between military service and train management were remarkably similar, both requiring precision to optimize a safe and efficient performance. During his service, Creel would also graduate Jacksonville State University in 1992 with a bachelor in marketing as well as a Harvard Business school with a six-week Advanced Management Program.

Career

Creel’s career began directly after finishing his service and education, with a position as an operations manager in Burlington Northern Railroad, located in Alabama. He later left the company to join Illinois Central railroad in 1996, which merged with the Canadian National Railway (CN). His marketing skills allowed him to move from operations to a more management-focused position, and in 199 he became the general manager of the Michigan Zone around the Midwest Division of the Grand Trunk Western. In 2002, he focused his career solely on Canada and was appointed vice president of CN’s Prairie Division in Winnipeg. He grew in the company over time, becoming executive Vice President in 2007 and Chief Operating Officer in 2010. In 2013 he would leave CN to join the Canadian Pacific Railway, first as President and Chief Operating Officer and then as President and CEO in 2017.

Net Worth

Keith Creel’s estimated Net Worth is $267 million based on prior yearly salary in 2021.

Achievement

Keith Creel has received the 2014 Progressing Railroading’s Railroad Innovator award for outstanding achievement in the rail industry. Creel has also been awarded CEO of the year by Globe and Mail’s Report on Business and has dubbed him one of five CEOs that are “the best of Canadian corporate leadership, innovation, vision and responsibility.” Railway Age magazine has given Creel the 2022 Railroader of the Year award for exemplary and visionary North American rail industry leader