Executive Moves: Maersk, dexFreight, Air Partner, Crowley

   Henriette Thygesen will become chairman of the board of directors of Maersk Supply Service on June 1, when A.P. Møller – Maersk Vice Chairman Claus V. Hemmingsen steps down following the separation of the oil and oil-related companies.
   Thygesen (pictured above) has had management positions in several A.P. Møller – Maersk business units over the last 25 years, including as CEO of Damco Americas. She has served as CEO of the group’s Svitzer subsidiary since September 2016.
   “With Henriette’s experience, I am convinced she will be a strong chairman for Maersk Supply Service as the company progresses its strategy to optimize its existing core business while diversifying into new industries and pursuing new business as an integrated solutions provider,” said Søren Skou, CEO of A.P. Møller – Maersk.

    Chris Burruss, former president of the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA), has been named vice president of transportation relationships for dexFreight, a provider of a decentralized, blockchain-based logistics platform.
   “After building the infrastructure of BiTA and ramping up its standards development process, I wanted to participate in the actual commercial realization of blockchain technology,” Burruss said. “In order to realize the widespread adoption of blockchains, end users will have to be able to touch, taste and see its potential and dexFreight is dead center in that space.
   “Marrying my experience in the supply chain with dexFreight’s platform moves the needle closer to blockchain reaching its intended potential to create greater efficiency in the movement of goods,” Burruss said.
   Prior to his role at BiTA, Burruss served for more than 10 years as president of the Truckload Carriers Association. Other previously held positions include president of the Tennessee Trucking Association and vice president of the Missouri Trucking Association.
   Rajat Rajbhandari, CEO and co-founder of dexFreight, said Burruss “is a firm believer in the importance of technology in transportation, which is critical to the adoption of blockchain in the industry. His understanding of blockchain’s potential and the decades of experience in the U.S. trucking industry that he brings to dexFreight will be instrumental in our ongoing success.”

   Global aviation services group Air Partner has appointed Paul Dollman as non-executive director. He also will become chair of the audit and risk committee on June 26, the date of Air Partner’s annual general meeting.
   Shaun Smith, the current chairman, will not stand for re-election at the general meeting after completing his three-year term as non-executive director.
   Dollman’s industry experience includes serving as group finance director for John Menzies PLC, the holding company of Menzies Aviation, from 2002 to 2013.
   Ed Warner, chair of Air Partner, said Dollman “has a deep understanding of the aviation industry, which, coupled with his financial expertise, will be highly beneficial to Air Partner.”

   Crowley Maritime Corp. has hired Jonathan Zier as manager of business development in Houston.
   Zier will assist customers globally with marine transportation projects such as sea lifts and beach landings as well as offshore and coastal towing and installation of rigs, spars and other structures. He also will be responsible for providing solutions for alternative energy projects such as liquefied natural gas terminals, offshore wind power generation and other projects requiring offshore or coastal equipment and expertise.
   During his career, Zier, a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, has served customers in heavy lift, LNG and other specialized transport services.