ABS shuffles European management

ABS shuffles European management    Classification society ABS has appointed Todd Grove to chief technology officer in an effort to strategically align technology resources and rule development initiatives among its operating divisions.
   He will report to ABS President and Chief Operating Officer Christopher J. Wiernicki and be based in the society's headquarters in Houston.
   A 28-year veteran of ABS, Grove has served as president and chief operating officer of three ABS operating divisions — Europe, Pacific and Americas. He also has experience in the offshore sector having served as director of energy project development and manager of offshore engineering.
   ABS said John McDonald, regional vice president for northern Europe and Africa, will succeed Grove as president and COO of the ABS Europe division, while John Gallagher, regional vice president for North America, will transfer to London to head northern Europe operations.
   In addition, Thomas Blenk, vice president of global operations for ABS Nautical Systems, will transfer to New York and replace Gallagher.
   Demetri Stroubakis, regional vice president for Eastern Europe, will transfer to Houston and replace Blenk as senior vice president of global operations at ABS Nautical Systems, and Vassilios Kroustallis, ABS's country manager for Greece, will replace Stroubakis. Christos Nomikos, principal surveyor for Greece, will replace Kroustallis.
   These management changes are effective Feb. 1.