Who Is Going Where and When in the Shipping, Logistics and Supply Chain Sectors

NORWAY – Our weekly round-up of staff changes in the shipping and logistics sectors starts with the death of veteran shipowner Jacob Stolt Nielsson, who passed away over the weekend, at the age of 83. Stolt Nielsen served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Stolt-Nielsen Limited since he founded the Company in 1959 until December 15, 2009 when he stepped down as Chairman, but remained as a Director until his retirement on December 15, 2014, formally concluding his career at the company 55 years from the day of its founding. He continued as Honorary Chairman until he passed away surrounded by loved ones at his home in Oslo. A biography of his remarkable career can be read here.

SWITZERLAND – Transocean has announced Steven Newman has stepped down as President and CEO. Ian Strachan, Chairman of the Board of Transocean, has been named as interim CEO, until a permanent replacement has been found.

FRANCE – Emmanuel Kesler has been named as the Director of Finance and Performance at Gefco France.

UK – HONG KONG – Virgin Atlantic Cargo has announced two new senior management appointments and as part of these changes to the sales structure, Marie Epstein, Regional Vice President Sales Americas, will be leaving the airline. Steve Hughes will transition from his role of Regional Vice President Sales for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) to the newly-created post of Vice President Sales Transatlantic. In his new role he will be responsible for the airline’s sales in the UK, US, Canada and Mexico. In Hong Kong, Neil Vernon becomes Vice President Sales International, a role that includes his current Asia and Australasia focus and is now extended to incorporate additional responsibility for sales in Dubai, Nigeria and South Africa.

INDIA – Geodis India has announced Martijn Tasma as National Sales Manager.

US – CSX has announced the appointments of two railroad veterans to key leadership positions in support of newly-named Executive Vice President-Operations Cindy Sanborn: Mike Pendergrass is promoted to Vice President-Transportation; and Jermaine Swafford is promoted to Vice President Regional Transportation-Southern Region.

US – Kimberly-Clark Corporation has appointed Sandra MacQuillan to the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain. She will join K-C in the second quarter. MacQuillan will report to Thomas Falk, Chairman and CEO, and become a member of K-C's global senior leadership team.

US – NETHERLANDS – MNX Global Logistics has announced several key Executives moves that will bolster account management and business development in North America and the Global Aviation Services Teams. Lori Mildren joins MNX as Vice President Sales and Marketing, Larry Glasscock assumes the role of Senior Vice President Global Accounts, both based in the US. Netherlands based Jan Willem van 't Riet undertakes increased responsibility as Senior Vice President EMEA Region and Global Aviation.

Photo: Jacob Stolt-Nielsen, credited as inventor of the parcel tanker (for which he received the nickname ‘Jackpot Nielsen’ due to the profitability of the method), signing off on a deal as a younger man.