Peter Scholten, who has led Saudi Cargo for four-plus years, has left the airline. Previously Scholten worked for airlines Martinair and Kenya Airlines for a total of 19 years. Scholten was, at one time, rumored to replace Robert van de Weg as the executive vice-president of Cargolux Airlines. Steve Manser, who worked with Scholten, has moved to Qatar Airways Cargo after nearly four years working at Saudi Cargo, where he worked in the airline’s charter business. Photo at right.
Oliver Evans, chief cargo officer of Swiss WorldCargo, is leaving the airline, saying he seeks “new personal challenges.” Evans, 60 – named Air Cargo World’s Executive of the Year in 2014 – announced his intention to leave the airline in September, taking the early retirement option offered by SWISS. He will continue working as a logistics consultant in Switzerland. Evans joined Swiss WorldCargo in 2002, following roles at KLM and BAX, and other firms.
Henrik Ambak has joined Emirates SkyCargo as senior vice president, cargo operations worldwide. Ambak joins the freight division of Emirates with 27 years of experience in the air cargo industry, previously working for Novia, CSLux and Cargolux Airlines. Ambak started his career as a freight forwarder, and then moved into ground and cargo handling, before joining Cargolux.
Roberto Gilardoni has switched to Etihad Cargo, as senior manager for commercial freighters. He left the Dubai office of HAE Group (formerly known as Heavyweight Air Express) in November. His colleague Mike Duggan, is back in Dubai after HAE’s contract ended for the temporary management of Raya Airways (formerly Transmile), where he was chosen as commercial director.
Air Charter Service (ACS) has appointed Richard Thompson as president of the company’s North American operations. Thompson will be responsible for the U.K.-based company’s operations in New York, California, Texas and Canada. He steps into the position previously held by Andy Christie, who was promoted to group director of ACS’s private jet charter division. ACS has also promoted Thomas Howe to president of its U.S. West Coast operations. Howe, formerly vice president of the U.S. office, joined ACS at its cargo division in the London headquarters.
Garuda Indonesia appointed Arif Wibowo, the head of its budget carrier unit Citilink, as its chief executive to replace Emirsyah Satar. Satar resigned before his term is scheduled to end, in March 2015, to give the new management more time to prepare for the year ahead.
Gareth Evans has been appointed chief executive of Qantas International and Freight after a management reshuffle, effective March 2015. Evans, currently chief financial officer for the Qantas Group, has been a senior executive at Qantas for 15 years. As a result of the new structure, the current chief executive of Qantas International, Simon Hickey, and chief executive of Qantas Domestic, Lyell Strambi, have decided to leave the airline.
AIRPORTS
Chris Woodruff, CEO of Australia Pacific Airports Corp. and the owner and operator of Melbourne and Launceston Airports, has resigned. He will stay to assist with the transition of his role to his replacement, but wants to leave no later than June 30, 2015.
THIRD PARTIES
Eric W. Kirchner has resigned as chief executive officer and as a member of the Board of Directors of UTi Worldwide, Inc. The Board has appointed Edward G. Feitzinger, 47, as CEO of the company and elected him as a member of the board as a Class B director. Feitzinger has been with the company since 2010. He has served as executive vice president-global operations since 2012 and previously served as executive vice president-global contract logistics and distribution.
Rebecca Saenz has been named branch sales manager in Houston, for Purolator International. Saenz brings 10 years of logistics sales experience to the role. Saenz has spent the last eight years as an account executive at FedEx. Previously, she worked at Central Freight Lines and Southeastern Freight Lines in Corpus Christie and Victoria, Texas. Photo at right.
C. Thomas Shurstad is the new vice chairman of the board of directors for Tiger Cool Express LLC, a transcontinental, temperature-controlled intermodal transporter of produce and fresh products. Concurrent with his election to the board of directors, Shurstad has been named as an operating partner of Tiger Infrastructure Partners, the private equity firm that funded Tiger Cool Express LLC.
Essa Al-Saleh, President and CEO of Agility Global Integrated Logistics, was inducted into the prestigious Supply Chain Asia Hall of Fame at a ceremony held in Singapore in November 2014. Al-Saleh was nominated for his vision and direction in helping Agility grow from a local company in Kuwait to a global supply chain leader today. Photo at right.
David Settergren has joined aftermarket aircraft lessor AerSale as vice president, sales, Asia Pacific. Settergren most recently served as vice president, sales and marketing, with GE Capital Aviation Services, where he covered the Asia Pacific region for the past 13 years.
ASSOCIATIONS
Des Vertannes, former head of cargo at the International Air Transport Association, has won the 2014 Martin Schröder Award, honoring individuals or companies who have distinguished themselves in the Dutch air freight sector. The award was presented to Vertannes by the award’s namesake – Martinair founder Martin Schröder, 83 – at the National Air Debate in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands. Vertannes, now retired, began his career with British Airways in 1970. He provided leadership at Gulf Air Cargo, Etihad Cargo and Menzies World Cargo.