UPS names Gershenhorn Chief Commercial Officer

UPS announced that Alan Gershenhorn is appointed executive vice president and the company’s first Chief Commercial Officer, effective immediately. Gershenhorn, 55, will lead development and implementation of broad strategic growth and innovation initiatives focused on creating distinctive customer value.  These include new market development, innovative future products and solutions, increased speed-to-market and stronger customer engagement across the entire UPS portfolio.  Gershenhorn, a 35-year UPS veteran, previously served as chief sales, marketing and strategy officer.

“We must continue to push the limits on innovation and solution delivery for our customers,” said Scott Davis, UPS chairman and CEO.  “Alan has been instrumental in defining and driving our strategic priorities of healthcare logistics, global business to consumer services, and emerging markets capabilities.  These will remain priorities among many other growth platforms that will redefine UPS over the next decade.”

Prior to his current assignment, Gershenhorn served as president of UPS International.  The Long Island, N.Y. native began his UPS career in 1979 as a part-time package handler, working nights while earning his degree.

UPS also announced the addition of Kate Gutmann and Mitch Nichols to the UPS Management Committee, the executive leadership team responsible for setting and executing the strategic direction for the company’s worldwide operations.

Gutmann, 45, will be responsible for leading UPS’s global sales solutions and customer engagement strategy. Her new role as senior vice president of worldwide sales and solutions was created to further market penetration through broader customer relationships.

Nichols, 58, a 27-year UPS veteran and current president of UPS Airlines, was promoted to a newly created position on the Management Committee as senior vice president of transportation and engineering.  His responsibilities will include UPS Airlines, transportation, engineering and sustainability.

Brendan Canavan, 53, currently president of UPS Asia Pacific, will replace Nichols as president of UPS Airlines.

All of the management changes are effective immediately.

“UPS has succeeded for more than 100 years because we can adapt to global forces that are continuing to reshape how business operates,” said Davis.  “These appointments position key leaders to accelerate our plans for global growth, innovation and technology leadership, and exceptional customer service.”