Our Executive Team

Katie Farmer – President and Chief Executive Officer

Katie FarmerKatie Farmer was appointed president and chief executive officer in January 2021. She holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Texas Christian University. Katie has been with BNSF for 31 years, having joined Burlington Northern in 1992 as a management trainee. She has held a variety of positions in sales, marketing, finance, customer solutions, and network operations. Prior to her current role, Katie served as executive vice president, Operations since 2018.

Steve Bobb – Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer

Steve BobbSteve Bobb was appointed executive vice president and chief marketing officer in January 2013. A graduate of North Dakota State University and the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program, Steve began his career in the railroad industry in 1987 with Burlington Northern in information systems. Previously, he was group vice president, Coal Business Group, leading BNSF’s coal sales and marketing team.

Matt Igoe – Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer

Matt IgoeMatt Igoe was appointed executive vice president and chief operations officer in January 2021. A graduate of Canisius College with a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University, Matt joined the BNSF team in 1998 as a management trainee after serving as an officer in the U.S. Army. Prior to his current role, he previously held the position of vice president, Transportation since July 2017.

Jill Mulligan – Executive Vice President, Law and Corporate Affairs, Chief Legal Officer

Jill MulliganJill Mulligan was appointed executive vice president in September 2022. Prior to joining BNSF, she was a member of the Transportation group at the law firm of Steptoe & Johnson, LLP in Washington, D.C. Jill earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and holds a Juris Doctor from Harvard School of Law. Prior to her current role, she previously held the position of vice president and general counsel.

Paul Bischler – Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Paul Bischler was appointed executive vice president & chief financial officer in October 2021. A graduate of the University of Kansas and the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program, Paul began his career with BNSF in 1997. Prior to this appointment, Paul served as vice president & chief accounting and sourcing officer.

Judy Carter – Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Judy CarterJudy Carter was appointed senior vice president and chief human resources officer in September 2022. A graduate of Louisiana Scholars’ College at Northwestern State University and Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Judy joined BNSF as an attorney in the BNSF Law Department in June 2006 and became Associate General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer in 2010. She served as vice president, Compliance & Audit and Secretary since 2013. Before her current role, she served as vice president and chief human resources officer since 2019.


Zak Andersen – Chief of Staff and Vice President, Communications

Zak AndersenZak Andersen was appointed chief of staff and vice president, Communications in September 2022. Before joining BNSF, Zak worked nine years for U.S. Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) in numerous capacities, including legislative director and chief of staff. A graduate of University of Montana, Zak joined BNSF in 2006 as director, Federal Government Affairs. Prior to his most recent position, Zak served as assistant vice president, Public Affairs.