CPKC CEO Keith Creel’s journey from military service to the top of the rail industry reflects a path shared by many leaders on this year’s list.

Keith Creel’s path to the top of the North American rail industry began far from the corner office.

In 1992, the U.S. Army veteran started his railroad career as an intermodal ramp manager for Burlington Northern Railway in Birmingham, Ala. It was a hands-on operational role – coordinating trains, cargo and crews in one of the most demanding sectors of transportation. Over the next three decades, Creel steadily climbed the ranks of the industry, taking on increasingly complex leadership roles across multiple railroads. Along the way, he developed a reputation for operational discipline, strategic thinking and an ability to lead large teams through constant change.

Today, Creel serves as president and CEO of CPKC, the first and only single-line railroad connecting Canada, the United States and Mexico. He assumed the role in April 2023 following the historic combination of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern, creating a rail network that stretches across North America and links major industrial and agricultural markets with key ports and supply chains.

Creel had already made history before that milestone. In 2017, he became the 17th leader of Canadian Pacific since the railroad’s founding in 1881. Under his leadership, the company achieved industry-leading safety performance and introduced new ways to move freight more efficiently across the continent, strengthening the connections between businesses, communities and global markets.

His rise through the industry – from frontline operations manager to the top executive of one of North America’s most important transportation networks – reflects a career built on discipline, accountability and a clear sense of mission. Those qualities were forged long before he entered the rail business.

Before beginning his railroad career, Creel served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, including service during the Persian Gulf War in Saudi Arabia. The experience left a lasting imprint on his leadership philosophy and decision-making style.

“My military service has had a profound effect on how I approach leadership and business,” Creel said. “In the workplace, much like during active duty, as a leader it’s your responsibility to create a vision and inspire your team to achieve it together. Leading by example, it’s up to you to motivate your team, define the action plan and execute it! To be successful in today’s changing market environment, you have to assess situations quickly and be decisive. My time with the military was vital in shaping who I am as a leader.”

Those principles – clear vision, decisive leadership and accountability – translate naturally to an industry where timing, coordination and teamwork are essential. Running a modern railroad requires the ability to manage thousands of employees, vast infrastructure networks and complex logistics operations that move goods across continents. For Creel, the leadership lessons learned in uniform continue to guide how he approaches those challenges.

Throughout his career, he has held key leadership positions across the rail industry. Before joining Canadian Pacific in 2013 as president and chief operating officer, Creel served as executive vice president and chief operating officer at Canadian National Railway, where he also held senior leadership roles overseeing operations in both eastern and western regions. Earlier in his career, he worked with several other major railroads, including Grand Trunk Western and Illinois Central, gaining experience in everything from train operations to regional management.

His leadership has earned widespread recognition in the transportation industry. He has been named Railroad Innovator by Progressive Railroading in both 2014 and 2024 and Railroader of the Year by Railway Age in 2021, followed by co-Railroader of the Year honors in 2022. In 2021, The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business Magazine named him CEO of the Year and Strategist of the Year.

Yet Creel’s story is not just about one executive’s rise to the top of a major industry. It also reflects a broader pattern seen throughout the 2026 CEOs Who Served list.

Each year, the list recognizes corporate leaders who once wore the uniform of the United States military. They now serve as CEOs, presidents, chairmen and other senior executives leading organizations across industries ranging from transportation and manufacturing to technology, healthcare and finance.

Like Creel, many of these leaders began their careers in operational roles far from the executive suite. Their military service instilled habits that later proved essential in business: discipline, mission focus, teamwork and the ability to make decisions under pressure. Whether managing global supply chains, building innovative companies or leading thousands of employees, they continue to draw on lessons first learned in uniform.

For service members preparing for their own transition to civilian careers, the leaders featured on this year’s list offer inspiring examples of what is possible after military service. Their paths differ, but they share a common foundation: leadership skills developed in the armed forces that helped carry them to the highest levels of corporate America.

Keith Creel’s journey from Army officer and Gulf War veteran to the leader of a continent-spanning railroad offers a compelling example of that trajectory.

He is one of many veterans whose leadership continues to shape the future of American business.

Meet the leaders on the 2026 CEOs Who Served list. The leaders of these 73 organizations once wore the uniform. 

This year’s G.I. Jobs list of “CEOs Who Are Veterans” recognizes military veterans now leading some of the most respected companies in America—many of which have earned the Military Friendly® designation. While not all hold the CEO title—some are presidents and chairmen—all share a common bond: military service shaped their leadership, resilience and commitment to purpose.

This is not an exclusive list, but a snapshot of veteran leaders who continue to serve, only now in boardrooms and executive suites. They are creating opportunities for other veterans, military spouses and the broader workforce. Their career paths reflect a wide range of industries and experiences, but each one reminds us that the values instilled in uniform—integrity, accountability, discipline, adaptability and mission focus—translate powerfully into corporate leadership.

Editor’s Note: This list does not reflect all of the companies and organizations led by military veterans. Do you know of one? Email us at editorial@gijobs.comand we’ll add them to the list for next year.

Michael Allison
CEO
The Adversity Academy Leadership Development Group
Marine Corps (1999-2007)

Ryan Angold
CEO
ADS Inc.
Navy

Jack Austin, Jr.
Assistant Chief
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Army

Rob Blackadar
President and CEO
Badger Daylighting Corporation
Army National Guard

Gene Bransfield
CEO
WarCollar Industries
Air Force

Kelcey Brown
CEO
MidAmerican Energy Company
Navy

Matthew Buchert
Founder, President
MBL Technologies
Navy

Bill Canady
Chairman
OTC Industrial Technologies
CEO
Arrowhead Engineered Products
Petty Officer Third Class (E-4)
Navy 1986-1989

Douglas Carlberg
President
Carlberg Consulting Group
Army

Margie Collins
CEO
Bridgecross
Army

Audie Cooper
CEO
JCTM
Marine Corps

Joe Crandall
CEO & Owner of Greencastle Consulting
Greencastle Consulting
Lieutenant (O-3)
Navy 1989-2003

Keith Creel
President & CEO
CPKC
Army

Tony Crescenzo
President & CEO
Intelligent Waves
Marine Corps

Claire Cuccio
CEO
SNVC
Officer, Army

Travas Deal
Chief Executive Officer
Colorado Springs Utilities
Marine Corps

Keith Dotts
CEO
Dotts Group
Officer, Army

Jeff Downen
Manager
BlackStart
Marine Corps

Terrence Evans
CEO
TJFACT
Army

Todd Forkel
CEO
Altru Health System
Branch of service?

Tony Frankenberger
CEO
McLane Company Inc.
Sergeant (E-5)
Air Force 1980-1984

Bob Frenzel
Chairman President & CEO
Xcel Energy
Navy/Navy Reserve

Vince Gaitani
CEO
TRISTAR
Navy 1987-1996

Amy Gilliland
President
General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT)
Navy

Thomas ‘Tag’ Greason
Co-CEO
Quality Technology Services
Army

Gregory Harkins
President
CWTSatoTravel
Army

John Heller
CEO
Amentum
Army

Casey Holliday
CEO
Battle Tested Security
Marine Corps

Angela Howald
CEO
AcqCentric Inc.
Army

Paul Huxley
Chairman of the Board
Strategic Staffing Solutions
Air National Guard

David Iacarella
Founder/CEO
Talent Software Services Inc.
Army

Samuel Jamison
CEO
Jamison Professional Services
Army

Mike Judd
Chief Executive Officer & President
Element Resources
Stryten Energy
Infantry Officer, Army

Donald Kennon
President
Leadec North America
Branch of Service?

Scott Kilgore
Chief Customer Officer
Kaplan North America
Army

Chris Kirksey
CEO
Direction.com
Specialist (E-4)
Army 2011-2017

Sumner Lee
CEO & President
Fuse Integration Inc.
Navy

Jordan Litsky
CEO
ElevaIT Solutions
Army (2007-2017)

Gordon Logan
Founder & Chairman
Sport Clips
Air Force (1969-1972)
Air Force Reserve (1972-1974
Captain (O-3)

Stephen Long
CEO
Global Laser Enrichment
Navy

Rodney Marshall
President and CEO
Aldevra
Marine Corps

Jeff Martin
Chairman & CEO
Sempra
Army

Kevin McLaughlin
CEO
Copper River Family of Companies
Captain (O-3)
Army

Lisa Menck-Shock
President & Owner
Iostudio
Army Reserve

Mark Morelli
CEO
Vontier
Army

Shawn O’Connell
CEO
EnerSys
Army

Ryan Odendahl
President/CEO
Kwest Group
Sergeant (E-5)
Marine Corps

William Peacock
Executive Vice President/Chief of Operations
Cleveland Clinic
Captain (O-6)
Navy

Edwin Peña
CEO
Linchpin Solutions Inc.
Marine Corps

Scott Pfister
Chief Executive Officer & President
Precise Systems
Marine Corps

Sean Plankey
Director
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Coast Guard

Michael Quinn
Founder & Chief Growth Officer
Tenova
Army

Pierre Redmon
President/CEO
PrimCorp
Air Force

John Richardson III
CEO
Obera
Marine Corps

Pete Roney
CEO
Detroit Defense
Officer, Army (2000-2006)

Samuel Ross
CEO/Founder
Claim Climbers
Army National Guard

Terry Ryan
Executive Vice Chairman
Constellis
Marine Corps

Edmund Sabanegh, Jr, M.D.
President & CEO
The Guthrie Clinic
Air Force

Erich Sanchack
CEO
Salute Mission Critical
Captain (O-3)
Marine Corps 1993-1998

Jason Santamaria
CEO
ABX Innovative Packaging Solutions
Artillery Officer, Marine Corps

Gary Sasser
Chairman, CEO & Owner
Averitt Express
Marine Corps Reserve

James Schenck
President & CEO
PenFed Credit Union
Major (O-4)
Army 1984-2001

Robert Schuetz
CEO
Energy Northwest
Navy

Tom Shull
Director/CEO
Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES)
Major (O-4)
Army 1973-1985

Larry Smith
Senior Advisor to the President & CEO
Tokyo Electron (TEL)
Army

Michael Smith
COO
ShureLine Construction
Marine Corps (1980-1987)

Phil Soucy
Chairman/Co-Founder
Modern Technology Solutions
Air Force

Joseph Sroka
Co-Founder/Chief Investment Officer
NovaPoint Group
Army

John Steckel
President & CEO
AMERICAN SYSTEMS
Navy

Jim Taiclet
Chairman, President, CEO
Lockheed Martin
Air Force (1985-1991)

Thomas Watson
CEO, Serco Inc.
Serco Inc.
Navy

Mark Whalls
Managing Member
Whalls Group
Navy (1976-1997)

Erik Wittreich
Chief Executive Officer
Ridgeline International
Staff Sergeant (E-6)
Army 2002-2010

Mike Zeiders
Chairman of the Board – Founder
Zeiders Enterprises Inc.
Navy