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People News: C.H. Robinson, Port NOLA

Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
Dave Bozeman, CEO, C.H. Robinson (left); and Matthew Wypski, COO, Port NOLA (right).

Dave Bozeman, CEO, C.H. Robinson (left); and Matthew Wypski, COO, Port NOLA (right).

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (C.H. Robinson) appoints Dave Bozeman as CEO. Also, the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) names Matthew Wypski as new COO.

C.H. Robinson

C.H. Robinson announced June 6 that its Board of Directors has appointed Dave Bozeman as CEO and a member of the Board of Directors, effective June 26, 2023. Scott Anderson, who has been serving as Interim CEO since January 2023, will continue in his role until Bozeman joins the company and will work with him to ensure “a smooth transition of leadership,” according to the company. Anderson will continue to serve as a member of C.H. Robinson’s Board of Directors.

Bozeman brings more than 30 years of experience at industry-leading companies and iconic brands across supply chains, middle-mile transportation, manufacturing, digital and customer service to C.H. Robinson. He has developed teams at many complex, forward-thinking organizations involving the management of near-term challenges while at the same time executing a long-term strategic direction, the company stated in a release. Most recently, Bozeman served as Vice President, Ford Customer Service Division, and Vice President, Enthusiast Vehicles, for Ford Blue of Ford Motor Company, where he oversaw the overall business performance for some of Ford’s most notable vehicle brands.

Prior to joining Ford, Bozeman served as Vice President, Amazon Transportation Services of Amazon.com, Inc., where he led supply chain optimization for customer delivery across Amazon’s global operations. Bozeman was instrumental in building out and scaling the middle mile global transportation business, which included both ground and air, as well as over the road and under the roof business operations. In addition, Bozeman built and launched global transportation businesses covering digital freight shipping, air transport, and small parcel pickup and delivery businesses.

Before Amazon, Bozeman served as Senior Vice President, Enterprise Systems of Caterpillar, Inc. where he led the global manufacturing for all of Caterpillar’s mining products.

Bozeman received an MS in Engineering Management from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and a BS in Manufacturing Design from Bradley University.

“Following a comprehensive and thoughtful search process, we are thrilled to name Dave as CEO of C.H. Robinson,” said Jodee Kozlak, Chair of the Board of Directors of C.H. Robinson. “Dave is a seasoned executive who has a strong track record of reinventing complex operating models with industry-wide impact, proven expertise in global supply chain and logistics management through various economic cycles and extensive experience leading high performing teams and cultures to drive results. Dave is the right leader to take C.H. Robinson’s vision forward with his focus on organizational opportunity and enhancing value for our customers and our shareholders by capitalizing on C.H. Robinson’s opportunities as a leading asset-light logistics provider in a rapidly evolving and increasingly complex supply chain environment.”

“It is an honor to be joining C.H. Robinson and to lead the next chapter of such an exceptional company,” said Bozeman. “I look forward to working alongside a strong management team and with talented employees to deliver for our customers and accelerate the next phase of sustained growth and success. I am confident that with C.H. Robinson’s superior global services, people and capabilities, we will build on a strong existing foundation and execute on significant growth opportunities to create lasting value for Robinson shareholders, employees and the communities and customers we serve.”

 “On behalf of the entire Board, I would also like to thank Scott for his leadership over the last six months as we conducted our search for a permanent CEO. The Board and I look forward to continuing to benefit from Scott’s experience and insights as a member of our Board,” added Kozlak.

Port NOLA

Port NOLA on June 6 welcomed maritime industry veteran Matthew Wypski to the executive team as COO. He succeeds Mike Stolzman, who made “significant contributions” to the Port and the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB) during his tenure as NOPB General Manager and then as Port NOLA COO.

Stolzman, a highly respected railroad executive with extensive short line and Class I rail experience, was recruited in 2019 to lead the overhaul of NOPB after the Port assumed ownership of the short line railroad from the City of New Orleans. His accomplishments as General Manager of NOPB included the lowest dwell times in the history of the railroad, increased rail storage capacity and usage, increased efficiencies and profitability, and investment in environmental sustainability with the replacement of the railroad’s aging fleet of locomotives.

As COO of Port NOLA, Wypyski will “continue the momentum to optimize business development opportunities, serve tenants and effectively address operational needs in both organizations and the development of new facilities,” the Port said.

According to Port NOLA, Wypyski’s leadership experience includes 32 years as a senior operating and general management executive leading port authority staff, marine terminal and stevedore operating companies, as well as liner operations.

Most recently, Wypyski served as Deputy Executive Director and COO for the Mississippi State Port Authority in Gulfport. During his 13 years there, he assisted in managing the port’s $600 million HUD-funded expansion and improvement project, negotiated lease agreements, and managed a proposed dredging project for the Federal Navigation Channel and turning basin. Before his tenure in Gulfport, Wypyski was Executive Vice President of Mediterranean Shipping Company’s New Orleans and Houston marine terminal operations.

He serves on the American Association of Port Authorities Economic Development, Government Relations and Cruise Committee and is a United States Coast Guard: Area Maritime Security and Port Readiness Board Member. Wypyski is a Certified Maritime Port Executive through the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives.

He received an MBA from the University of Southern Mississippi and a BS in Business Management/Marine Transportation/Nautical Science from New York State Merchant Marine Academy.

“Matthew Wypyski brings invaluable maritime knowledge and experience to the Port of New Orleans global gateway,” said Brandy D. Christian, President and CEO of Port NOLA and CEO of NOPB. “His strong terminal operation background will be an asset to current operations and to the development of the new $1.8 billion Louisiana International Terminal.”

“I am thrilled to join the Port of New Orleans team during this historic time in international commerce and the global supply chain,” added Wypyski. “I look forward to contributing to Port NOLA’s future growth and ensuring the successful development of the second container terminal—vital infrastructure that will solidify Louisiana’s position as the premiere international Gulf gateway.”

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