CALGARY, Alta. — Robert Ritchie, president and chief executive officer of Canadian Pacific Railway, has been elected chairman of the Railway Association of Canada.

He replaces Paul Tellier, president and chief executive officer of Canadian National Railway, who was elected vice-chairman.

“Board membership was expanded from seven to eight with three short line members, and one rail passenger operation, now represented. The expanded board, and changes in its membership, better reflects the growth, and importance, of the short lines to the economic viability of the entire Canadian rail network,” says Ritchie.

Two vacancies on the Board were filled with the appointment of Serge Belzile, president of Chemins de fer du Quebec, and Shawn Smith, regional vice-president of RailAmerica’s North West Region.

Wayne Ettinger, president of Trillium Railway filled the new board position.

“All three are representative of the dynamic new short line operators in eastern and western Canada,” adds Ritchie.

Additionally, Brian McKeown of Essex Terminal Railway, will retire from his seat on the board at year-end and will be replaced by Marc LeFrancois, of VIA Rail Canada.

The other RAC directors are Ed Dodge of CPR and Jack McBain of CNR.