John A. Gurrad, MOL (America) Inc.’s former Vice President for Business Planning and e-Commerce, passed away on Wednesday, June 2, 2010. Gurrad’s 37-year career in the shipping industry included 10 years at MOL as vice president in Concord, Calif. He joined MOL in August of 1998 and retired in October 2008. Gurrad was 68.
Gurrad was a valued and highly respected member of the MOL Team, and directed MOL’s business planning activities, advertising and marketing communications, and business process management. Under his guidance, MOL received numerous industry awards for marketing and advertising excellence.
Prior to joining MOL, Gurrad spent 19 years with APL (1979-1998) in Oakland, California, eventually serving as Assistant to the Chairman of the Board (1995-1998). Gurrad began his APL career as Director, Traffic Analysis (1979-1983) and served in several additional roles: Director, Corporate Development (1983-1986), Hawaii Project Director (1986-1988), Director, Business Planning (1988-1992), Vice President, Strategic Development (1992-1995). Gurrad’s career also included positions as senior economist for Matson Research Corporation, Manalytics, Inc., and Teknekron, Inc. and manager of project financing for Kaiser Engineers.
Gurrad earned his undergraduate degree in economics from San Diego State University in 1964 and his master’s in economics in 1966. He was also active in the Bay Area Community and served as a Board Member for both the Oakland Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Oakland International Trade Center.
Gurrad is survived by his wife, Carol; their three daughters Alexis Hinds, Alison Atkinson, and Courtney Barnes; and five grandchildren.