Logistics exec Williford to lead Ryder unit

Logistics exec Williford to lead Ryder unit Ryder System Inc. last week named John Williford to the newly created position of president, global supply chain solutions.
   The move is part of the company’s effort to combine its U.S. and international supply chain business units to form a single, integrated organization that will provide global service to shippers.
   Williford joins the company from Golden Gate Logistics, a Palo Alto, Calif.-based logistics portfolio company he helped create in February 2006. Williford was chief executive officer of Golden Gate, which is backed by private equity firm GTCR Golder Rauner LLC, Chicago. The company has made one acquisition, Atlanta-based ocean freight forwarder Global Link Logistics, so far.
   Williford is perhaps best known as the former CEO of Menlo Worldwide Logistics, a large contract logistics company that is part of the Con-way Inc. freight group. Menlo Logistics was formed in 1990 by then-parent company Consolidated Freightways at the suggestion of Williford, who as director of marketing for the transportation conglomerate saw an opportunity to capitalize on the growing trend of bundled logistics services. Williford was instrumental in building Menlo into a major international third-party logistics provider.
   He left Menlo in 2005 after being passed over to head Con-way, then known as CNF Inc.
   Williford will begin his new role on June 23. ' Eric Kulisch