Dr Kirsi Tikka has been promoted to the position of Vice President Global Technology and Business Development at ABS. The new position means a considerable expansion of her previous responsibilities as Vice President Special Projects at the classification society. Dr Tikka also serves as the ABS representative on the Council of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS).
In her new role, Dr Tikka will report directly to ABS President and COO Christopher J. Wiernicki and will assume direct oversight of the worldwide network of Technology and Business Development executives within ABS. These individuals are at the forefront in establishing and maintaining relationships with the society's shipowner and shipyard clients to clearly identify their future technology needs. They also provide leadership in overseeing the successful implementation of the new products and value added services that ABS develops as a consequence.
Dr Tikka brings a academic experience to the new position. Prior to joining ABS in 2001, she was Professor of Naval Architecture at
Webb Institute in New York. In addition to teaching she carried out research on structural strength of tankers and risk analysis and was actively involved in the US National Research Council Marine Board studies on double hull tankers. She has also worked for Chevron Shipping in San Francisco and for Wartsila Shipyards in Finland.