Sad Start to the Weeks Shipping Staff News With the Suicide of an Energy Logistics Veteran

GREECE – A sad start to this week's staff changes in the world of freight and logistics with the death of the founder, co-owner, and Chairman of Mamidoil-Jetoil, Kyriakos Mamidakis who committed suicide at his home on July 3, at the age of 84. The company's line of business include storage, transport and trade of petroleum-based products in Greece and the Balkans, and financial trouble led to the company filing for bankruptcy last month.

Having started a filling station business with two brothers Mamidakis turned Jetoil into a multi-national fuel trading business. Three days after the company filed he was found dead in his study from a single gunshot wound.

Many Greek companies are struggling as local banks consolidate debt and Mamidoil-Jetoil, once the third biggest fuel supplier in Greece, is said to owe almost €300 million to its backers and suppliers.

WORLDWIDE – Olivier Bijaoui, President and Chief Executive Officer of Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has left the company. His role will be assumed in the interim by Chief Operating Officer, Barry Nassberg, who joined WFS 20 years ago.

DENMARK – Executive Vice President and Member of the Executive Management at Dampskibsselskabet Norden, Ejner Bonderup, has resigned from his position in order to take to role of Chief Executive Officer at XO Shipping. Bonderup will continue in his position at Norden for transitional purposes for a limited period of time. Throughout the period ending on 31 December 2017, Bonderup will be subject to restrictive covenants, unless released by the Norden Board

SWEDEN – Tim Jørnsen has been appointed Acting Head of Business Unit eCommerce & Logistics of PostNord, effective immediately. It also means that he will be part of PostNord's Group Executive Team.

FINLAND – Cargotec has named Hanna-Maria Heikkinen as its new Vice President, Investor Relations, effective October 1.

UK – Iveco has announced the appointment of Lisa Fuller as Brand Marketing and Communications Manager, following the retirement of Nigel Emms as Director of Brand and Communication after 27 years. Her new role is based at the truck manufacturer’s new UK headquarters in Basildon, Essex.

UK – Miebach, the global supply chain consultancy has entered the UK market with an office based in Maidstone, Kent, managed by Peter Surtees, former Kimberley-Clark European Supply Chain Director. In 2010, Surtees was awarded the prestigious CILT Sir Robert Lawrence Award for an outstanding and sustained contribution to the profession of logistics.

UK – Gefco UK has named Zsolt Vecsera as its new Managing Director. Since March 2011, Vecsera has held the position of Managing Director at Gefco Hungary.

UK – Richard Newton has been appointed Commercial Director, Logistics, for the Port of Tyne, based in South Shields.

UK – Ulrich Kranich has been appointed as the new Chairman of the TT Club, stepping up from his 9 years as a Director. Kranich succeeds Knud Pontoppidan, who steps aside after 8 years and will continue as a Director for another year.

UK – SOUTH AFRICA – ASM (Airport, Strategy and Marketing), the world route development consultants, has announced the appointment Keith Green, currently an ASM associate and licensee partner as a permanent member of the team to support ASM's global client base as well as to develop the company's interests in the African region. Keith will be based in South Africa, and will spend time in the UK as part of his new role.

KENYA – Kenya Airways has appointed Jan de Vegt as the airlines next Chief Operating Officer, effective August 1. He succeeds Yves Guibert who leaves the company at the end of July.

US – The US Senate confirmed the nominations of three individuals to serve as Federal Maritime Commissioners. Those confirmed are: Rebecca Dye, Michael Khouri, and Daniel Maffei. Dye and Khouri, both of whom currently serve as Commissioners, were re-nominated by the President to serve in terms that will last until 2020 and 2021 respectively. Maffei is new to the Commission and will serve a term that expires in 2017 and replaces Richard Lidinsky, who became Commissioner in 2009.

Maffei served two non-consecutive terms in the United States House of Representatives. His professional experience prior to being a Member of Congress includes working as a journalist and a Congressional aide. Lidinsky has been vehemently against consolidation in the global container shipping market, having voted against 2M and P3.

US – Mallory Alexander has announced Claudio Onofrio to the role of Vice President of Global Business Development, based in Dallas, Texas.

US – Bristow Group has announced that Hilary Ware, Senior Vice President and Chief Administration Officer, has left the company citing personal reasons, following a brief leave of absence. The company’s senior management and Board of Directors are well underway in the reorganisation of the Chief Administrative Officer role and responsibilities. An announcement of these changes will come by the end of August. In the meantime, with the departure of Ware, Mary Wersebe will serve in the role of acting Chief Administrative Officer on an interim basis.

Photo: Kyriakos Mamidakis, who died this week.