Week's Freight and Logistics Appointments Start with Air Transport Changes

WORLDWIDE – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced two senior management appointments. Gilberto Lopez Meyer will take up his new role as Senior Vice President for Safe and Flight Operations (SFO) on October 19. Based in Montreal, Canada, Lopez Meyer succeeds Kevin Hiatt who left in July. Lopez Meyer joins IATA from the Mexican Civil Aviation Authority.

Nick Careen will take up his role as Senior Vice President for Airport, Passenger, Cargo and Security (APCS) on October 1, succeeding Tom Windmuller who retired from IATA in August after nearly 25 years in the industry. The APCS role, which was created in a 2013 reorganisation, is being shifted from the Executive office in Geneva to IATA’s Montreal headquarters. Careen will oversee a team with a significant presence in both Montreal and Geneva.

CANADA – BC’s first Container Trucking Commissioner, Andy Smith, President and CEO of the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA), which represents ship owners and terminal operators, has resigned from his position just 7 months after accepting the role. During his short tenure, Smith apparently garnered plenty of criticism and was a controversial appointment form the start. A search is under way for a suitable replacement.

CANADA – Tamara Miller has left her position as Director of Programmes and Services at Trucking HR Canada, to take up a new role with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., effective since September 18. Kim MacLaren, who played a lead role in developing National Occupational Standards for the trucking industry’s non-driving occupations, will assume Miller’s former role on an interim basis, effective immediately, as a search is underway for a replacement.

US – Norfolk Southern has made some major changes to its senior management with Michael Wheeler named as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, effective February 1, 2016, following the retirement of Mark Manion on the same day. Before assuming his new COO responsibilities, Wheeler will serve as Senior Vice President of Operations, effective October 1 this year to January 31, 2016. Norfolk Southern's transport, mechanical, and engineering groups will report to Wheeler while the safety and environmental, police, and network and service management groups will continue to report to Manion.

Also effective October 1, Cindy Earhart’s title is Executive Vice President Administration and Chief Information Officer, reflecting her new responsibility for the corporation’s Information Technology department, and she takes over from Deborah Butler who has announced her retirement for October 1.

Philip Merilli has been named Vice President of Engineering effective October 1, reporting to Wheeler.

Norfolk Southern has also announced that Charles Moorman is to complete his service as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective October 1, to be replaced by President and CEO James Squires. Moorman will continue to serve as a director until retiring from the board effective December 31.

US – Rickmers Linie has named Wouter Huybrechts as its new President and CEO of Rickmers Linie (America). He takes over from Waldemar Poulsen, who left the company on September 18.

US – Intelligrated has appointed Dave Schmit to the position of Senior Vice President, Corporate Intellectual Property.

US – UTi Worldwide has appointed Jerry Trimarco to the role of Global Vice President, Sales – Freight Forwarding, and John Wetherell to Vice President, Global Air Product.

US – The Board of Directors of Southwest Airlines has appointed Dr Thomas Gilligan as a member of the Board.

US – Port Canaveral has announced that its CEO, John Walsh, intends to step down from his role effective January 21, 2016.

US – Schneider has named Mark Rourke as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

US – American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) has announced Tolga Oal as President - AAM North America (Vice President – AAM Corporate). In this role, Oal will lead AAM's regional business and manufacturing activities for North America. Oal joins AAM from TRW Automotive, having served as Vice President of Global Electronics.

INDIA – The Shipping Corporation of India has appointed S. V. Kher as Director – Bulk Carrier & Tanker, for a period of 5 years, replacing Capt. Sunil Thapar, who finishes his tenure on September 30.

SINGAPORE – MNX Global Logistics has named Nate Gesse as Vice President – Asia Pacific.

SINGAPORE – SPAIN – Geodis Freight Forwarding has announced Michael Doerpinghaus as its new Director of Industrial Projects for the South East Asia Pacific region, based in Singapore. He succeeds Igor Muñiz, who steps into the newly created role of Director of Industrial Projects for Europe, based in Spain.

UK – Jungheinrich UK has strengthened its Systems & Projects Division with four key appointments. Harry Chana and Simon Bourne both join the company as Design Managers for the Projects Operation, and Andy MacLeod and Stuart Orchard have been appointed as Racking Sales Managers for the Northern and Eastern regions respectively.

UK – Northgate Vehicle Hire has appointed Mark Hunt as UK Finance Director.

AUSTRIA – Away from staff changes, Supervisory Board Member and Partner at Gebrüder Weiss, Heidi Senger-Weiss, is to be the first woman inducted into the Logistics Hall of Fame, at a ceremony on November 25 at the German Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure in Berlin, Germany