Houston, TX - A sweeping series of management
appointments at ABS, effective July 1, will position a new generation of
executives who will help define the role and scope of class in the
future, according to a company press release. These moves closely follow the appointment of Christopher J.
Wiernicki as the new CEO. 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.
“Without question, ABS is a different
organization today than it was 20 years ago,” noted Wiernicki, in a statement. “While
the role of class has always been evolving, the pace of change is accelerating
and we need to ensure that ABS is defining the role of the class society of the
future and not merely reacting to this new environment. Today’s playing
field is being framed by regulatory initiatives, new technologies and customers
who want their preferred class society to be better integrated within their
operational and safety programs. ABS has to be positioned to effectively
and efficiently assist the marine industry and our clients manage risk and
improve performance within a more clearly defined safety framework. This
alignment is important because it is directly related to our mission of
promoting safety in the marine and offshore industries.”
Wiernicki points out that the latest
technologies are providing new methods of delivering services, new ways of
collecting and analyzing data and new tools for conducting advanced structural
and technical analyses. “Our new leadership team is not just comfortable
with these emerging technologies, but excited about the possibilities they
provide to better serve the industry. Furthermore, this team has the requisite
international experience that is critical to ABS providing quality and
consistent service across our operating sphere.”
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.
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. “As a service organization, the factor
that has always set ABS apart from its competitors is the experience and
knowledge base of our employees,” said Wiernicki, in the release. “Mark will be
responsible for expanding and enhancing training initiatives so ABS personnel
are prepared to not only meet, but exceed client expectations. Mark has
more than three decades of marine and offshore experience in building, repair
and operations – he knows what the owners, operators and yards need and we plan
to leverage that experience throughout our training programs. Consistently
providing quality services by the best trained surveyors and engineers in the
industry will continue to be our hallmark.”
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. “The essence of our quality management
system is to provide the framework for delivering consistently outstanding
levels of service,” said Wiernicki, in the statement. “Service delivery continues to be one
of the most important differentiators between class societies. This new
appointment will give Bob the opportunity to focus on improving ABS’ quality
system so the society can deliver an unparalleled level of 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. “This experience gives Kirsi a thorough understanding of the technical and
operational needs of our clients,” said Wiernicki. “Her background in
structural engineering will provide the leadership needed as our clients order
larger and more sophisticated vessels such as the new generation of 20,000 teu
containerships, floating LNG terminals and ultra deepwater drillships.”
Tikka will continue to lead the ABS
Environmental Solutions Group. “Many of the innovative solutions under
consideration involve a rethinking of the fundamental architecture of the ship
in order to improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and minimize the carriage
of ballast water requiring treatment,” added Wiernicki. “These issues
will need to be addressed by our engineering staff. By retaining her
environmental responsibilities, Tikka will be centrally positioned to provide
the necessary leadership in developing a coordinated organizational approach.”