ABS Nautical Systems (NS), a division of ABS, a classification society, announced a series of senior management changes and established a new client-centered operational structure to strengthen its portfolio of fleet management software services for the marine and offshore industries.
Karen Hughey, who joined NS in January as Senior Vice President, has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer, replacing Jack Kitchura who has retired after leading Nautical Systems for the past ten years. Hughey had previously served as Vice President of Application Development for ABS. She reports directly to ABS President and Chief Operating Officer Chris Wiernicki.
A new Account Management department, focused on continuous improvement in the service delivery and support provided to clients, has been established. It will offer a single point-of-contact for every NS client, coordinating the support, consulting and sales services provided. Robert Kessler will move from his current position in London as Regional Sales and Operations Manager for NS in Europe and the Middle East, to Houston to take up the new position of Director, Global Account Manager responsible for leading this client-centered initiative.
Dimitri Stroubakis, who has spent the past two years as Executive Assistant to the senior management of ABS in Houston, will relocate to Piraeus as Director for Nautical Systems in Europe. Stroubakis will be responsible for expanding the NS penetration in this important market. The existing NS office in Hamburg will report through Stroubakis with Piraeus becoming the center for future NS management in Europe.
Fernando Lehrer will move from his current position as Director of Maritime Services for ABS Consulting to take up the newly created position of Director, Product Development at NS. Lehrer will use his extensive experience in both the shipping and offshore sectors to identify and develop enhancements that maximize the software’s value for NS clients. Initial efforts are focused on rolling out the new NS Hull Inspection module and modifying the existing Crew Management module to provide owners with a simple method of storing and tracking much of the information that will be required by owners when demonstrating compliance with the new Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).
(www.abs-ns.com)