Matson board names Cox new chairman

The Honolulu-based liner carrier also announced its second quarter dividend, which will be paid on June 1, 2017 to all shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 11, 2017.    Matthew J. Cox, chief executive officer of Honolulu-based liner company Matson, Inc., was appointed as chairman of the company’s board of directors on Thursday.
   Cox replaced Walter A. Dods, who retired from the board in accordance with Matson’s corporate governance guidelines limiting board members’ age, the company said.
   Cox joined Matson in 2001 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, was named Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 2005, President in 2008 and CEO in June 2012.
   Prior to Thursday, Cox held the position as Matson President and CEO, but his new title is now Chairman and CEO.
   Concurrent with his appointment, Cox announced the promotion of Ronald J. Forest, Senior Vice President, Operations, as President of Matson; and John P. Lauer, Senior Vice President, Ocean Services, as Chief Commercial Officer of Matson.
   The board of directors also designated Jeffrey N. Watanabe to serve as the Lead Independent Director of the company’s board.
   In addition to new appointments, Matson’s board of directors announced a second quarter dividend of $0.19 per common share, which will be paid on June 1, 2017 to all shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 11, 2017.
   Matson is scheduled to release its financial results for the first quarter of 2017 on Wednesday.