WASHINGTON, D.C. - It is with deep sadness that the U.S.-Mexico Economic Council mourns the sudden passing of former co-Chairman Pat Ottensmeyer. Stakeholders on both sides of the border will agree that, in his four years as Chair of the Council and U.S.-Mexico CEO Dialogue, no one in the private sector did more to advance the U.S.-Mexico bilateral economic relationship than Pat.
As President and CEO of Kansas City Southern Railway (KCS), Pat’s longstanding commitment to enhancing trade and investment between our two countries was rooted in his belief that KCS was a fully binational company by any metric; half-Mexican and half-American whether measuring investment, revenue or number of employees. As a result, he embodied and help define USMXECO principles in viewing the bilateral economic relationship to be both mutually beneficial and indispensable.
Pat’s tireless advocacy for U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in Mexico City, Washington, Ottawa and beyond proved pivotal to the pact’s approval and 2020 entry-into-force. In the process, he earned the utmost respect of public and private sector officials alike for his enduring vision, dedication and decency.
Pat subsequently led one of the largest rail mergers in history uniting KCS with Canadian Pacific Railway. The resulting company, CPKC, now operates the first railroad to commercially link Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, what Pat affectionately dubbed the “USMCA railway.”
As accomplished as Pat was professionally, those fortunate enough to call him a colleague, mentor or friend know that he was an even better person. We extend our most heartfelt thoughts, prayers and support to Pat’s fiancée Deanne, his daughters and their families, and to his countless friends and admirers.
