Chris Conner, who was most recently deputy CEO and chief commercial officer, took up the new role on June 21st this year. Conner has more than 32 years of experience in the logistics industry and has held a range of positions, including president of WWL Americas and CEO of WWL Vehicle Services Americas.
He joined Wallenius Lines in 1994 in the US as vice president of Sales and Marketing. When Wallenius Lines and Wilhelmsen Lines formed Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics in July 1999, Connor was named executive vice president of region Americas. He took a number of leading positions following this and was appointed as president of Region Americas in 2005. He added deputy CEO to his role in 2010.
Iversen was president and CEO for six years. He began his career chartering car carriers and has more than 30 years experience in ocean forwarding, including in the container side of the business.
“Under Arild Iversen’s solid and impressive leadership, WWL has grown to be a global leader in logistics, with a network that spans the globe over both land and sea,” said Leif Løddesøl, chairman of the WWL Board of Directors. “Throughout this time, Chris Connor has been a central member of the WWL executive team as well as Deputy CEO, making the factory to dealer strategy a reality. He knows the company and our customers well and has broad international experience in his field. I have every confidence in our new CEO.”
Robert Johnson is the new vice-president of US Operations at North American rail provider Canadian Pacific. Johnson moves over from a 32-year career with BNSF where he held successively more responsible roles in operations, transportation, engineering and service excellence. His most recent position at BNSF was general manager, Northwest Division, overseeing day-to-day operations for the region.
"We welcome Robert to Canadian Pacific," said Keith Creel, CP's president and chief operating officer. "His depth of experience significantly adds to our operation’s bench strength to help continue CP's ongoing drive for efficiency, optimizing assets and improving service for our customers.”
Johnson takes over from Doug McFarlane, who has announced his retirement after 37 years with the company in both Canada and the US.
McFarlane joined CP in 1976 and has held a number of positions within the company, including conductor and locomotive engineer. He later served in key executive roles in operations, transportation, marketing and sales, and labour relations.
"On behalf of the entire CP family, I would like to thank Doug for his professionalism and many years of dedication and passionate leadership,” added Creel. "Doug leaves behind a strong legacy and positive example of accountability for people across the entire CP network.”
Hubertus Troska, Daimler’s management board member responsible for China, has been appointed chairman of the Carl Benz Academy China. He was nominated by the five most important dealer groups for Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz division in the country: Boshi Group, China Grand Automobile, Lei Shing Hong, Pangda and Zhongsheng.
Daimler is looking at the appointment as a vote of confidence for the China management of Daimler and Mercedes-Benz.
The Carl Benz Academy is a joint institution between Mercedes-Benz in China and its most important local dealer groups. It offers vocational training and business education for managerial staff from the automobile sector in cooperation with international universities.
To date, about 80 Mercedes workers and those from its dealers in China have benefited from the Academy’s programme. The dealers are providing the Carl Benz Academy with RMB 100m (€12m).
