Grove Appointed ABS Americas President

ABS has named Todd Grove President of its ABS Americas Division effective May 1, 2004. He will replace Robert E. Kramek who, as previously announced, will assume the role of President and Chief Operating Officer of ABS at that time.

Grove currently serves as Vice President Western Region, ABS Europe. In his new role he will be located at the Americas’ Division headquarters in Houston, Texas. He will have operational responsibility for all ABS classification activity in North, Central and South America. ABS Americas numbers more than 450 employees and contributes approximately one third of ABS’ worldwide operating revenue. A 21-year-veteran of ABS, Grove has held a series of positions with increasing responsibilities from his initial position as a Staff Engineer with the Ocean Engineering Division. These have included Project Manager for the ABS SafeHull Program, Director Technology and Business Development, ABS Pacific, Manager of Offshore Engineering and Director of Offshore Project Development prior to his latest assignment in Europe.

Grove earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan’s Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering program as well as a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston. His focus will be the continued implementation of ABS’ latest technology and related systems to provide ABS Americas commercial and government clients with the outstanding service delivery. Replacing Grove in the role of Vice President Western Region, ABS Europe, will be Karel Van Campenhout.

Another long-time ABS veteran, Van Campenhout’s wide range of experience includes positions as a Surveyor in the ABS Ulsan, Korea, office as well as Country Manager for Belgium, France, and North and West Africa. His most recent assignment led to the creation of advanced software and systems for field surveyor use worldwide as the Manager of ABS’ 02K program.