Urban joins MatchBack Systems as director

John Urban, who is a founder and former president of GT Nexus, served as an executive with APL and was also president of domestic intermodal carrier NPSC.    Cloud-based container matchback software provider MatchBack Systems said Tuesday that industry veteran John Urban has joined its board of directors.
   Urban is a founder and former president of supply chain management software provider GT Nexus, and before that, he served as an executive with the container line APL.
   Urban held several executive positions with APL in Asia, North and South America. Prior to APL, he was president of domestic intermodal carrier NPSC.
   “It is a privilege for MatchBack Systems to have an industry leader with John’s knowledge and expertise on our board,” MatchBack Systems President and CEO Todd Ericksrud said. “John’s leadership at GT Nexus is well known and highly recognized in our industry. His guidance will be instrumental within our organization and accelerate our path to becoming the industry standard for matchbacks.”
   MatchBack Systems’ platforms finds opportunities to match empty import containers with export shippers, eliminating empty drayage legs back to ports or container yards.
   “MatchBack Systems’ innovative business model enables huge cost savings for ocean shippers and carriers while creating substantial reductions in their carbon emissions,” said Urban. “For every 5 percent of U.S. exports for which we create matchbacks, we eliminate 55,000 metric tons of emissions and remove the equivalent of 10,000 trucks from the road. That’s exciting.”
   Urban also recently joined the board of directors for ClearMetal, a startup providing predictive analytics services to the shipping industry.