Career Tracks: Coast Guard, Crane Worldwide and Southeastern Freight

First female judge advocate general and chief counsel, a returning business development leader and a service center manager are announced

Rear Adm. Melissa Bert is the first female Coast Guard judge advocate general and chief counsel. (Photo: 3rd Petty Officer Isaac Cross)

Rear Adm. Melissa Bert has been invested as judge advocate general and chief counsel of the U.S. Coast Guard

Bert is the first woman to hold that office.

Bert most recently was the Coast Guard’s director of governmental and public affairs. Previous positions included supporting U.S. engagement with the International Maritime Organization as chief of the Maritime and International Law Office and serving as captain of the port for southeastern Alaska.

Crane Worldwide Logistics

Jason Stretton has returned to Crane Worldwide Logistics to lead the growth of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

His previous positions at Crane included establishing the business in Ireland and leading the operations development for EMEA.

“These are difficult times for many of our clients and there are many challenges ahead. Our focus, however, is on the future and our intention is to support our clients with the flexibility they need to ensure supply chains are robust, agile and fully operational. Jason is an inspiring leader and the team is delighted to have him back in the Crane family,” said CEO Keith Winters.

With 120 locations, Crane Worldwide provides supply chain solutions in 30 countries. 

Southeastern Freight Lines

Regional less-than-truckload transportation services provider Southeastern Freight Lines has promoted Andy Johnson to service center manager in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Johnson has more than 13 years of experience at Southeastern, starting his career at the Norfolk, Virginia, service center as a pickup and delivery driver.

“His leadership demonstrates a clear commitment to living our culture and providing quality without question service every time,” said Jim Jones, regional vice president of operations for the Lexington, South Carolina-based Southeastern Freight.

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Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Kim Link Wills

Senior Editor Kim Link-Wills has written about everything from agriculture as a reporter for Illinois Agri-News to zoology as editor of the Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine. Her work has garnered awards from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Magazine Association of the Southeast. Prior to serving as managing editor of American Shipper, Kim spent more than four years with XPO Logistics.