Management appointments
At classificaiton society ABS new executives appointment will be effective 1 July. The appointments, in concert with the recent naming of Todd Grove as Chief Technology Officer, John McDonald as President and COO for ABS Europe Division and Demetri Stroubakis as Senior Vice President of Global Operations for the Nautical Systems Division will result in new senior management in all five divisions, as well as Technology and Engineering services.
Joining Wiernicki’s new management team is Robert Gilman who will take over as President and COO of ABS Americas Division from Thomas Gilmour who will transition to a role as Vice President, Global Marketing prior to his retirement in late 2011. Gilman has been serving as Vice President, Global Operations in ABS’ Worldwide Headquarters in Houston and has management experience from previous assignments in Europe and the US. Assisting Gilman will be Derek Novak, who will assume the position of Vice President, Operations and Matt Tremblay who will replace Novak as Vice President, Engineering for the ABS Americas Division.
The new President and COO of the ABS Pacific Division will be Eric Kleess who will relocate to Singapore from Houston where he has been serving as Vice President, Operations for the ABS Americas Division. Assisting Kleess as Senior Vice President, Operations will be Stephen Auger who has extensive management experience in Korea, the Middle East and the US.
Taking over as President and COO of the ABS Greater China Division will be Richard Pride who has been serving as Vice President, Operations in the division. Pride has extensive experience in China in addition to previous assignments in Europe and Asia. Assisting Pride as Vice President, Operations for the ABS Greater China Division will be Paul Karam, currently Vice President, Northern Pacific Region within the ABS Pacific Division.
In the ABS Europe Division, John McDonald recently assumed the position of President and COO. McDonald’s management team is headed up by Karl Van Campenhout, Senior Vice President, Operations who has extensive experience in the region. The position of Vice President, Northern Europe was recently assumed by John Gallagher who has more than three decades of operating experience.
The ABS Nautical Systems Division continues to be led by Karen Hughey, President and COO. Through the appointment of Demetri Stroubakis as Senior Vice President, Global Operations the organization is increasing its focus on service delivery for its expanding client base.
Mark McGrath, currently President and COO of the ABS Pacific Division, will transfer to ABS’ Worldwide Headquarters to serve as the Corporate Training Officer.
Adam Moilanen, currently President of the Greater China Division, will transfer to ABS’ Worldwide Headquarters as Vice President and Chief of Staff. In this role Moilanen will be responsible for providing strategic direction for special projects and overseeing key client initiatives.
In order to drive ABS’ quality management initiatives, Robert Giuffra has been appointed to serve as Senior Vice President, Quality and Service.
Dr. Kirsi Tikka, currently Vice President, Global Technology and Business Development will assume the position of Vice President and Chief Engineer for ABS. Prior to her current position, Tikka served as Vice President, Engineering for the ABS Europe Division. Tikka will continue to lead the ABS Environmental Solutions Group.
