Railway company Union Pacific has appointed Michael Whitcomb as chief compliance officer and vice president of law. He assumes these positions from Gayla Thal, who has been promoted to general counsel and senior vice president of law.

Thal, who has nearly 32 years of experience with the railroad industry assumes her new position from Michael Hemmer, who will serve in an advisory role until retiring later this year.

Whitcomb has more than 33 years of experience with Union Pacific, most recently serving as assistant vice president of law.