Changes at the Top of Freight and Logistics Associated Organisations

WORLDWIDE – Freight and logistics staff news starts with the announcement that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Board of Governors has announced its decision to recommend Alexandre de Juniac, Chairman and CEO of Air France-KLM, to become the new Director and CEO, succeeding Tony Tyler who will retire later in the year. De Juniac has also held positions in the French government, notably serving in the Department of Budget as a technical advisor and was then Deputy Chief of Staff in the cabinet of Nicolas Sarkozy. He then moved to the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Employment as Chief of Staff to then Minister Christine Lagarde.

US – UPS has announced Juan Perez as its new Chief Information Officer, effective since April 1, replacing Chief Information and Global Business Services Officer Dave Barnes, who elected to retire after 38 years with the company. Barnes will continue with UPS through June 30 to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities.

US – Union Pacific has announced the addition of Jane Lute to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Lute most recently served as the CEO of the Center for Internet Security, an international non-profit focused on enhancing cyber security readiness and response for the public and private sectors.

US – Bryant Francis has taken the helm as Director of Aviation at the Port of Oakland, overseeing Oakland International Airport. Joining from Long Beach Airport, Francis replaces Deborah Ale Flint, now CEO of Los Angeles World Airports.

US – Virgin Atlantic Cargo has appointed John Giannitelli as Regional Sales Manager USA, based at New York JFK.

US – The Hub Group has announced that Executive Vice President of Sales, Jim Gaw, will retire effective June 30. Gaw has held various senior leadership positions throughout his 28-year career at Hub Group, including President of Hub North Central and Vice President / General Manager of Hub City Terminals. Steve Rand has been promoted to fill the position of Executive Vice President of Sales.

US – Navistar has announced the appointment of Jonathan Peisner as Vice President, Investor Relations, replacing Kevin Sadowski who is moving to another leadership role in the company’s Finance group.

RUSSIA – Former Deputy Head of Corporate Finance at Russian Railways (RZD), Pavel Ilichev has joined Gefco as its new Executive Vice President for Strategy and Finance and member of the Gefco Management Board. He is replacing Philippe Cossé who has retired after fifteen years with the company.

SWEDEN – Lars Stenqvist has been appointed member of the Volvo Executive Board and Executive Vice President of Volvo Group Trucks Technology. He will also hold the title of Volvo Group Chief Technology Officer. Stenqvist replaces Torbjörn Holmström, who will be employed as the Volvo Group’s senior advisor on research and development, effective in October.

INDIA – Mark Delaney has been appointed Managing Director of GAC India, following the retirement of Paul Haegeman.

AFRICA – UAE – AMERICAS – Emirates has announced several management changes in its commercial operations team to its market position in Africa, the Middle East, and North and South America. Orhan Abbas has been appointed Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Africa, and will report directly to Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.

Adil Al Ghaith, the new Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Gulf Middle East & Iran will lead a number of Emirates’ markets in the Middle East, and Rob Gurney is taking an additional responsibility for Latin America as he becomes the Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations (The Americas).