UPS Board appoints David Abney CEO
The UPS Board of Directors today announced that it has named David Abney, currently the company’s Chief Operating Officer, as its new Chief Executive Officer and appointed him to the Board of Directors. Scott Davis, 62, who has served as the company’s Chairman of the Board and CEO since 2008, will retire from UPS and will assume the role of non-executive Chairman. Both moves are effective September 1, 2014. Abney, 58, becomes the 11th chief executive officer in the 107-year history of the company. He began his UPS career in 1974 as a part-time package loader. Over the course of his 40-year career, he held various operational positions leading to his current position. As chief operating officer, Abney had responsibility for UPS logistics, sustainability, and engineering, leading the company’s significant investment in alternative fuel fleets, and implementing programs to expand the company’s total freight volume. In that role, he directed the UPS transportation network serving more than 200 countries and territories.
“The UPS Board of Directors congratulates David in this new role,” said Duane Ackerman, a member of the UPS Board of Directors and chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance committee. “UPS has exceptional depth of management and has historically elevated senior internal leaders to the CEO role. After thorough consideration of candidates, the Board believes David embodies the experience, vision and leadership skills necessary to lead UPS.”
Davis, a 29-year veteran of the company, joined UPS in 1986 when UPS acquired the technology company II Morrow, where he was CEO. Under Davis’ leadership, UPS has made significant improvements in its logistics network as the company has expanded its reach and capabilities through Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Davis has presided over rapid growth in international operations and supply chain and freight. He also oversaw strategic initiatives to expand the company’s U.S. and European air hubs, the opening of the Intra-Asian air hub in Shenzhen, and transformation of the company’s U.S. small package organization, the largest operating unit of the company.
