MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA — Canadian National Railway (CN) continues to search for a new chief executive officer to succeed Jean-Jacques (JJ) Ruest, who will retire as president and CEO and as a member of the board of directors of the company at the end of January 2022.

CN said Jim Vena, who spent 40 years at the company, including as chief operating officer and executive vice president, has withdrawn his name from the process after multiple rounds of interviews.

“CN has only provided an update on this search process because TCI has requisitioned a special meeting of shareholders on March 22, 2022, with one goal being to have Mr. Vena appointed CEO of CN,” the company said. “CN previously disclosed to shareholders that Mr. Vena would be seriously considered for the position. Since Mr. Vena is no longer being considered for this position, CN believed it was appropriate to provide shareholders with an update.”