Bentley’s Dru Crawley Receives IBPSA-USA Award and Is Elected President of IBPSA
CooperVision Specialty EyeCare Appoints Weiwen Chen to Lead Asia-Pacific Region Expansion
CooperVision Specialty EyeCare Appoints Weiwen Chen to Lead Asia-Pacific Region Expansion
PARK HYATT BUSAN SELECTS NEW DIRECTOR OF FOOD & BEVERAGE AND EXECUTIVE CHEF
West Midlands Gigafactory Appoints Leading Electric Vehicle and Battery Industry Expert
VuWall's Market Growth Drives U.S. Expansion and Promotions
Bentley Systems Announces Michael Campbell Joining as Chief Product Officer
Expereo appoints new General Counsel and SVP of Enterprise Sales as part of continued investment strategy
Remote Picture Labs Hires Rich Venezian as Director of Business Development
Kyocera's Leonie Forristal Recognized by The Cannata Report as one of the industry's 2022 Outstanding Women Influencers
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John Paul Gregory Appointed Head of Exterior Design at Lotus
Lotus announces the appointment of John Paul Gregory as Head of Exterior Design at the Lotus Tech Creative Centre (LTCC) in Coventry, UK. The LTCC team, headed up by Ben Payne, takes the lead on creating the range of all-new, all-electric lifestyle cars, working in close collaboration with the sportscar design team at Hethel, led by Russell Carr. John Paul joins from previous leadership roles at Aston Martin and Bentley, bringing a wealth of creative experience from some of the world’s most recognised premium brands. At Bentley, John Paul was responsible for the exterior designs for much of the current lineup. John Paul will embody the values of the brand and lead a team to research, design and progress the future of Lotus, reporting directly to head of LTCC, Ben Payne. At LTCC John Paul joins an ever-growing international creative team, where diverse minds come together to design Lotus’ all-electric lifestyle vehicle lineup and continue to influence world-class creativity and innovation across Group Lotus. Ben Payne said “JP is a world-class talent with a proven track record in creativity, communication, and leading people. His appointment comes at a key time when we are moving our business to the next level. His mindset and experience will be invaluable as Lotus continues to evolve and LTCC continues to develop – I look forward to realising the full potential of the team we are building.” John Paul added “Lotus is a brand that has already started its transition into its future as a true global performance brand, and LTCC has so far played a big part in that. With an iconic history to honour, I look forward to working with Ben and the team to help shape the next chapter of the brand”.
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Director Rithy PANH Appointed as Dean of CHANEL X BIFF Asian Film Academy 2022
Asian Film Academy (AFA) partners with CHANEL to introduce the CHANEL X BIFF AFA 2022. AFA is Asia’s premier cinema education program for emerging talent to strengthen capabilities, promote innovation, create the conditions for future filmmakers to dare, and support new and bold ambitions in cinema. Director Rithy Panh has been selected as the Dean to lead the CHANEL X BIFF AFA 2022. Alongside Rithy Panh, director Tan Chui Mui and filming director Um Hye-jung have been confirmed as mentors. Rithy Panh is Asia’s foremost film director and screenwriter. He received worldwide recognition by winning the Documentary Award at the 10th Amiens International Film Festival for his first documentary Site 2 (1989). He was awarded the 66th Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard Prize for The Missing Picture (2013) and won the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award dedicated to the Asian film industry and cultural development at the 18th Busan International Film Festival in the same year. In addition, he won the Berlinale Documentary Award at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival for Irradiated (2020) and recently won the Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival for Everything Will Be OK (2022). Malaysian director Tan Chui Mui won the New Currents Award and the FIPRESCI Award (Prize of the International Federation of Film Critics) at the 11th Busan International Film Festival and received the TIGER Award at the 36th Rotterdam International Film Festival for Love Conquers All (2006). Tan Chui Mui won the Jury Grand Prix of Golden Goblet Award at the 24th Shanghai International Film Festival for BARBARIAN INVASION (2021). Um Hye-jung, a graduate of the first AFA program previously partnered with the Busan International Film Festival in 2005. Since then, she has gained solid experience, including winning the 18th Women’s Film of the Year Award for the film Bluebeard (2017) and has supported female filmmakers by sharing her experiences at the 24th Busan International Film Festival. This year, 407 applicants across 35 countries applied to participate in the CHANEL X BIFF AFA programme, marking the highest application rate in the history of the AFA. Female filmmakers accounted for 67% of applicants, and the CHANEL X BIFF AFA saw increased participation from Central Asia countries such as Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and various Asian countries such as Nauru and Yemen. The final selected members will produce a film with professional training and mentoring for 18 days from September 27th to October 14th. The completed work will be officially screened during this year’s Busan International Film Festival. CHANEL has had an ongoing dialogue with cinema since its founding, and the House continues to champion emerging filmmakers through its many cinema initiatives around the world. True to its creator’s vision to be a “part of what will happen next”, CHANEL is dedicated to creating the conditions for emerging filmmakers to thrive. Today, CHANEL is striving to steadily expand its commitment to a culture of 100 years and support emerging creative talent. As part of this effort, the CHANEL X BIFF AFA is expected to play a key role in discovering and empowering young talent in the cinema industry both in South Korea and internationally.
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Daniel Lam joins Cask 88 and Spink as Whisky and Wine Director for Asia
Whisky & Wine authority Daniel Lam will advise Spink’s cask and bottle auctions in association with Cask 88. Leading cask whisky specialist and independent bottler Cask 88 has announced a partnership with Daniel Lam as Director of Asia, to lead the company’s activities from Hong Kong as part of ambitious global expansion. Adjacent to this prestigious appointment, Daniel will also take on the title of Global Head of Whisky & Wine for international auction house Spink, overseeing sales, in association with Cask 88, that will include both casks and bottles of whisky from around the globe. The first of these sales will close with a live auction in Hong Kong on Thursday 18 August 2022 at 10am BST, and Daniel will be hosting a live ‘Ask me anything’ webinar for Spink and Cask 88 subscribers on Wednesday 10 August at 11am BST. Having pioneered Hong Kong’s first whisky and cognac auctions during his time at Bonhams, where he was Wine & Whisky Specialist for 13 years, Daniel is ideally placed to lead Cask 88’s expansion in Asia, and to present an extensive auction schedule. Each sale will feature a selection of rare and antique bottles, including Scottish and Japanese whiskies, and whole casks of single malt from across the decades and from a range of distinguished distilleries. Highlights of the August auction include a 26 year old cask of whisky distilled at Bowmore distillery in 1996 (pre-auction estimate £158,000-200,000 / HK$1,500,000-1,900,000), a cask of 19 year old whisky distilled at Bruichladdich distillery in 2002 (pre-auction estimate £40,000-48,000 / HK$380,000-460,000), a pair of bottles from Ichiro's Malt Card series bottlings - ‘The Joker’ in Monochrome and Colour (pre-auction estimate £53,000-74,000 / HK$500,000-700,000), a bottle of Karuizawa 1969 #8183 (pre-auction estimate £47,000-63,000 / HK$450,000–600,000) and a bottle of Macallan 1951 (pre-auction estimate £25,000-30,000 / HK$240,000-280,000). Among Daniel’s previous achievements are several record-breaking sales: two bottles of 60 year old Macallan, with labels designed by artists Peter Blake and Valerio Adami, which sold for twice their estimates in 2018; the 2020 sale of a full set of Hanyu Ichiro’s ‘Playing Card’ series from Club Qing for £1.25m/HK$11.89m/US$1.52m; and the record-breaking sale of a bottle of Yamazaki 55 year old for £0.65m/HK$6.2m/US$0.80m, also in 2020. Daniel has also made waves in the world of whisky cask auctions, most notably in 2021, when he sold a cask of Macallan 1991 single malt for £0.47m/HK$4.46m/US$0.57m, breaking the world record for most expensive cask sold at auction. “I am thrilled to be partnered with Spink and Cask 88, both well respected establishments, looking forward to nourishing our business into a next level,” said Daniel Lam, Cask 88 Director of Asia and Spink Global Head of Whisky & Wine. Having launched the first online auction platform dedicated to whole casks of Scottish whisky in 2019, Cask 88 is proud to be working in association with Spink to bring their online whisky cask auctions to a wider audience, and offer new and improved services to vendors and buyers alike. Spink has equally been a pioneer in the world of whisky auctions, having sold the first cask ever at auction almost a decade ago, establishing the first world record for a whisky cask sold at auction, a record they broke later that year with another cask of Macallan, and again in subsequent years. The first cask auction from Spink in association with Cask 88 took flight ahead of Christmas 2021, titled ‘Going the Whole Hogshead’, and a Jubilee-themed cask auction followed in June 2022.
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Karen Ohland Begins Term as ASME’s 141st President, Three New Members of the Board of Governors Announced
Effective July 1, Karen Ohland has begun her term as the 141st president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Society announced during its annual meeting in June. Ohland is an ASME Fellow and has been an active member of the Society since 1983. ImageOhland is the associate director for finance and operations at the Princeton University Art Museum, where she provides strategic leadership, strengthening and sustaining the process for planning and management across the Art Museum while serving in an advisory role for the museum’s operations and other priorities. She also served as finance and senior administrator in New York Metropolitan Museum of Art’s department of education and concerts and lectures. Prior to her career in museum administration, Ohland worked as a biomedical engineer in industry, academia, and government, most recently as research manager for Howmedica Inc., an orthopedic implant manufacturer, and Howmedica Osteonics Inc., acquired by Stryker Orthopaedics in 1998. Ohland served on the ASME Board of Governors from 2016 to 2019, and in 2020 was selected by the Board to return to complete a vacated Governor position. Since joining ASME, she has held several leadership positions including as a student leader, section chair, regional secretary, district leader, vice president, and senior vice president. She served on several presidential task forces as well as the committees on finance, organization and rules, and the board on professional development. She has mentored and contributed to the professional growth of many ASME members as a lead trainer, member of the ASME Leadership Training Conference (LTC) planning committee, chair of the Advanced Leadership track for the 2010 LTC, and as a member of the ASME Volunteer Orientation & Leadership Training (VOLT) Academy executive committee. Ohland is a recipient of the ASME Dedicated Service Award. She is also a member of the engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi, the American Society of Engineering Education, the Orthopedic Research Society, and the American Society of Biomechanics. She received Bachelor’s degrees in engineering and biology from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania and a Master’s degree in anatomy from the University of Chicago. “Remember the African proverb: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ Let’s go together and invite others to join us to advance engineering for the benefit of humanity,” said Ohland during her inaugural remarks. Outgoing president, Mahantesh Hiremath, Ph.D., P.E., FASME, an ASME Fellow, expressed his thanks to the Board of Governors and ASME Executive Director/CEO Tom Costabile, staff, and volunteers for their support throughout the past year. “For a kid from a middle-class family in India, to have the opportunity to lead one of the premier engineering societies in the world has been a humbling experience and a journey of providence and privilege,” said Hiremath. In addition to Ohland, three new members of the ASME Board of Governors also have begun their 2022-2025 terms: ImageNewly appointed ASME Governor and ASME Fellow Susan Ipri Brown is the director of ExploreHope Academic Outreach and assistant professor of engineering instruction at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, where she manages policy development, fundraising, grant writing, and staff and volunteer leadership. Previously, she was associate director of the Office of STEM Education Partnerships at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where she directed teacher professional development programs, grant writing, and new program development for outreach with other area organizations. Ipri Brown has also held positions with several North Carolina school districts, Delphi Automotive, and the Michigan Legislative Service Bureau. As an ASME Federal Fellow, she worked at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Ipri Brown’s ASME service includes at-large membership on the public affairs and outreach council and prior council on education, along with terms as the vice president for government relations and vice president of global outreach. Throughout her membership, she has been selected as a regional winner of the Old Guard Oral Competition, a Leadership Development Intern, a Federal Fellow, and a recipient of ASME’s Dedicated Service Award. She actively engages in encouraging the next generation of engineers through the creation of STEM programs for area Scout councils along with time as a coach and judge for the FIRST robotics programs. She is a long-time advocate of programs that enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the engineering profession. Ipri Brown earned a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Princeton University in New Jersey, a Master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a secondary teaching certification from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. ImageJared Oehring, an ASME Fellow and newly appointed Governor, is the chief technology officer and co-founder of VoltaGrid LLC, a clean, intelligent, mobile, microgrid power generation company. As a senior executive engineer, he pioneered electric hydraulic fracturing and mobile power generation operations in the oilfield. Prior to working at VoltaGrid, he served as CTO at U.S. Well Services (USWS) where he led the development and manufacturing of electric powered hydraulic fracturing equipment. His engineering work has earned numerous patents and garnered multiple accolades within the oil and gas industry. He helped take USWS public in 2018. Prior to USWS, he designed heavy off-highway equipment at Stewart & Stevenson headquartered in Houston, Texas. Oehring has served in numerous leadership positions with ASME. He was elected vice president of financial operations for the Knowledge and Community Sector and served on the reorganization committee for the Sector. He also served on the inaugural Technical & Engineering Communities (TEC) Sector Council and later as the chair of ASME’s nominating committee. He also worked on the Membership Development and Engagement Sector (MDE) formation. Oehring earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and a Master of Science degree in mechanical design from Kettering University in Flint, Michigan. ImagePatrick H. Vieth, an ASME Fellow and newly appointed Governor, is senior vice president of Dynamic Risk of The Woodlands, Texas, where he leads the technical consulting discipline focused on the energy pipeline infrastructure. Throughout his 30‑year career, he has been recognized for leading teams of technical experts that bring unique solutions to the challenges at hand. Vieth has been actively engaged in ASME throughout his entire career. He has undertaken various leadership positions including the ASME local chapter (Central Ohio), and then in the ASME Pipeline Systems Division and Codes and Standards Committees (ASME B31.4). In addition, he has supported learning and development through the ASME-sponsored International Pipeline Conference (IPC), serving recently as its conference chair and as chair of the board for the IPC Foundation. Recognizing the need, Vieth was instrumental in establishing Young Pipeline Professionals, USA (YPP USA), which provides learning and leadership opportunities and fosters networking for young professionals to establish their network for the advancement of the industry. He has also helped guide the further development of Young Pipeliners International (YPI) that has aligned YPP USA with similar organizations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, India, Malaysia, Mexico, and Nigeria. He also serves on the board of the Qualification Panel for the Pipeline Industry (QPPI), a group of independent industry leaders developing ANSI-certified competency assessment for the pipeline industry. Vieth earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from The Ohio State University. In addition to the newly appointed Governors, ASME announced that Thomas Kurfess, Ph.D., P.E., an ASME Fellow, has been appointed for another term beginning June 2022 and ending June 2025. He previously has served as a member of the ASME Board of Governors from 2019 to 2022. Kurfess is the HUSCO/Ramirez Distinguished Chair in Fluid Power and Motion Control and professor in mechanical engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) and past assistant director for advanced manufacturing at the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy. Previously, he served as professor and BMW Chair of Manufacturing at Clemson University in South Carolina, and on the faculty at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Kurfess has been an active member of ASME for more than 30 years, holding a variety of volunteer positions, including member at large for the ASME Council on Standards and Certification and the ASME Committee on Government Relations, and chair of the ASME Manufacturing Public Policy Task Force. He is the recipient of several ASME awards including the Pi Tau Sigma Award, the Blackall Machine Tool and Gage Award, and the Gustus L. Larson Award. Kurfess earned Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Four more individuals were selected by the Nominating Committee as ASME Governor-Nominees who, if elected by the ASME membership, will serve as Board of Governors members-at-large for a three-year term beginning June 2023. The Governor-Nominees are: Kathryn Jablokow, Ph.D., an ASME Fellow, is a professor of engineering design and mechanical engineering at Penn State University and currently serves the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the civil, mechanical, and manufacturing innovation division as program director for the engineering design and systems engineering (EDSE) program. Jablokow has been actively involved in ASME for more than 30 years. She earned Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in electrical engineering from The Ohio State University. Kelly McGrath, P.E., PMP, has more than 35 years of experience in the power industry including operations, construction, project management, safety, and environmental leadership. Currently, he is a partner expert with NucAdvisor, an independent nuclear energy consultancy in the U.S. McGrath has been actively involved in ASME since 2003. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nuclear engineering from Missouri School of Science & Technology and a Master of Business Administration degree from Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri. Monica Moman-Saunders, P.E., has more than 20 years of progressively responsible experience in engineering management, and contract negotiations and management, most recently as manager of contract services for LG&E and KU Energy LLC in Louisville, Kentucky. Moman-Saunders has been actively involved in ASME since 1985. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from University of Alabama, a Master of Science degree in business and management from Webster University of St. Louis, Missouri, and completed the executive management program at IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland. Dave Schlesinger is the director of program excellence for Parsons Corporation, a leading disruptive technology provider in global security, intelligence, and critical infrastructure markets, with capabilities across cybersecurity, missile defense, space, connected infrastructure, and smart cities. Before joining Parsons, he was an instructor for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Transportation Safety Institute. Schlesinger has been actively involved in ASME since 2013. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in finance and entrepreneurship at University of Southern California and a Master’s degree in transportation management at the Mineta Transportation Institute of San Jose State University in California. For more information on the ASME Board of Governors, visit https://www.asme.org/about-asme/governance
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Global Shop Solutions Employee Achieves 10-Year Milestone
Workforce stability, consistency, and reliability are the hallmarks of an excellent ERP software provider. Global Shop Solutions, a leading provider of ERP software for manufacturers in nearly 30 industries, is proud to celebrate 10 years of dedicated service from Michelle Brown, Project Manager for the company’s U.K. office. Brown launched her career as an ERP specialist working for an aerospace company in the U.S. where she implemented Global Shop Solutions’ ERP software and oversaw its use and development for three years. When she decided to move back to her native country, Global Shop Solutions hired her to launch their new U.K. operations, which also serves Ireland, Europe and Africa. She soon began overseeing implementations for new customers and quickly advanced to operations consultant and project manager. Brown also led the way in building an international team with the experience, expertise and knowledge to support customers in Global Shops Solutions’ growing European markets. “Michelle is a perfect fit for our U.K. operations because she knows our ERP system inside and out,” says Dusty Alexander, President and CEO of Global Shop Solutions. “She’s an expert in manufacturing, quality, implementation, sales, customer care, and much more. Her friendly smile and ‘get it done’ attitude make her a favorite of customers and employees. And she listens to customers in a way that makes them feel heard and appreciated. We knew we were getting someone special when we hired Michelle, but she has exceeded our expectations.” As U.K. Project Manager, Brown oversees new ERP implementation strategies, schedules training for new customers, assists with change management, and works closely with new customers to ensure a successful ERP implementation. With current customers, she performs operational checks and assists them in implementing more sophisticated ERP capabilities to continuously improve their manufacturing and increase ROI. “I love working at Global Shop Solutions because I get to help people see the advantages of switching from a cumbersome system that encourages bad practices to one that encourages simplified processes and cost effectiveness,” says Brown. “Many of our new customers are using ERP for the first time, and guiding them through a successful implementation is challenging and rewarding. My favorite part is seeing the expressions on the faces of shop floor and front office workers as they start using ERP and see how much easier ERP will make their lives.”
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Adriano Mudri, former Director of Design at Rimac Automobili, moves to new role at Rimac Group
Adriano Mudri, former Director of Design at Rimac Automobili, is taking on a new role within the Rimac Group, becoming Chief Design Officer at Project 3 Mobility. He will be leading a team specifically dedicated to this transformative mobility service – currently operating in stealth mode – and overseeing the complete process from idea to public rollout. Having graduated from FH Joanneum with a focus on Transportation Design in 2007, followed by taking on roles at Magna Steyr, General Motors, and Qoros, Adriano Mudri was already on track for a glittering automotive design career. In 2010, he first met his fellow countryman Mate Rimac. With no funding, no team and absolutely no guarantee of success, Mate proposed that he and Adriano work together to design the world’s first all-electric supercar. He could have easily chosen the well-trodden route of an established car manufacturer, but Adriano believed in Mate’s vision, motivated by the opportunity to not just design a car, but to conceive a completely new car brand and to create something that’s going to change the industry. And to do it all in his home country. The task ahead of him was immense. While most cars are designed by a team of tens, if not hundreds of designers, Adriano took on the task of designing the Concept_One and conceiving the Rimac Automobili design DNA from scratch. While working at General Motors, he would also spend his evenings and weekends designing every single little detail, from lamps to wheels. Adriano’s challenge was to establish a design language for an entirely new type of car, an electric hypercar, from a country with no automotive heritage. He was starting with a completely blank canvas, free from constraints of tradition, but with the weight of the knowledge that this car must succeed from its get-go. His creation must subtly emphasize its unique four-motor all-electric powertrain, it must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with designs from the world’s greatest manufacturers and it must be proudly Croatian. The car that would become Concept_One began development in 2010. Adriano’s design evolved as he refined the idea of symmetric double curved lines, reminiscent of an inverted Venturi channel, which itself subconsciously communicated the idea of speed. These lines also provide a suitably understated nod to the car’s Croatian heritage, harking back to the cravat (necktie) – long associated with Croatian soldiers since the Napoleon times. The Concept_One itself was free from outlandish aerodynamic additions, immediately recognizable and – as time has gone on to prove – everlasting in its proportions and sculpting. At one point, Adriano coincidentally found a Concept_One lined-up next to one of the most beautiful supercars of all time, the Lamborghini Miura, and found the proportions to be almost identical. Today, an example of Adriano’s first Rimac design sits in the Petersen Automotive Museum in California. With the Concept_One, Mate Rimac and Adriano had introduced the all-electric supercar into the world’s consciousness, blazing a trail that many then went on to follow. This meant, that when it came to designing Concept_One’s successor – the 1,914hp Nevera – competition was fiercer than ever. Now with a team of 25 designers and the challenge to build a car that would be globally homologated for sale in markets all over the world, the level of complexity in designing Nevera was much higher than Concept_One. Adriano’s design language for Rimac subtly evolved in the Nevera, with the Rimac design trademark cravat motif, muscles, and clean lines immediately marking it out as a member of the Rimac Automobili family. Refining the design from Adriano’s initial sketches was a process that took years, as homologation and engineering constraints threatened to detract from his vision. The short front overhang was redesigned again and again until it complied with USA crash safety regulations – whilst keeping the design theme – and the generously sculpted side profile was saved from additional air vent intakes for the rear powertrain, with the engineers challenged instead to improve upon the package and radiator ducts to achieve cooling and aero targets. In the interior, a unique H-shaped Rimac-designed battery allowed the driver and passenger to sit low down in the car, lowering the roofline of the Nevera by about 150 mm compared with a flat-floor battery. The unique powertrain setup and possibilities to interact with the car, allows also for a completely new and unique user experience for the driver. Whilst all driving-specific inputs have physical and engaging interfaces, the infotainment and regular vehicle functions are accessible via the touchscreen. Ergonomical and tactile billet aluminum control knobs had to be designed to look precious and technical besides feeling solid and giving the driver confidence, all while being able to break off under a certain load for unbelted USA impact tests. Everywhere there were challenges and obstacles, but Adriano and his team created a new breed of hypercar with a timeless design and a next-generation interface. With all sorts of different custom-configured Neveras rolling off the production line and into the hands of customers throughout the world, an ever-increasing amount of Adriano’s time has been spent working on the Rimac Group’s next revolution. Focused on the future of mobility, the company is currently operating in stealth mode, designing a highly complex product and service, with funding already secured from several high-profile global investors and plans to introduce it to the world in late 2024. Having been involved with Rimac Automobili longer than anyone else aside from Mate Rimac, no one understands the long-term vision of the Rimac Group quite like Adriano. He has already moved to take up solely the role as Chief Design Officer at Project 3 Mobility, leading a team specifically dedicated to the project and overseeing the complete process from idea to start of service. Mate Rimac, Founder of the Rimac Group, said: “When I met Adriano in 2010 all I really had to show for my work was an old BMW 3 Series that I had converted to electric power. And yet, he completely understood the vision and the potential of creating an all-electric hypercar in Croatia. Adriano has been by my side since the very beginning, and without his fierce determination and eye for detail, Rimac Group would not be the company that it is today. Now, as we look to revolutionize another area of mobility, I want Adriano to be the one that establishes its future personality and image of a completely new type of product and offering. With Concept_One and Nevera he made the idea of an electric hypercar mainstream, with a design that immediately communicated its heritage and its innovations. What we have planned next is an even larger technological leap but this time in a completely different challenge and goal. I am looking forward and very excited for the outcome of this new endeavor that we’ve taken on.”
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Dr. Daddi Fadel, Specialty Contact Lens Innovator, Joins CORE
Specialty contact lens innovator Daddi Fadel, DOptom, FSLS, FBCLA, FAAO, FIACLE, will join the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) in September 2022. Dr. Fadel is one of the world’s best known designers and fitters of scleral lenses for irregular cornea and orthokeratology lenses for myopia control. Her appointment as a clinical scientist will advance CORE’s rapidly growing specialty contact lens initiatives. “For the past two decades, Daddi has built a stellar reputation as a pioneer in modern lens design. Her immense technical expertise, deep clinical experience, and enthusiasm for sharing knowledge among her peers make her an ideal match for our specialty segment work. We’re excited about what this new collaboration will create,” said Dr. Lyndon Jones, CORE’s director. Dr. Fadel is a frequent lecturer at international symposia, a NCLE-approved course instructor, and has authored multiple peer-reviewed papers. Her books include “Scleral Lens Issues and Complications: Their Recognition, Etiology, and Management” and “Clinical Guide for Scleral Lens Success,” co-written with Dr. Melissa Barnett. She is also the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Contact Lens Research & Science. She is the founder and head of the European School of Scleral Lenses, founder and past president of Accademia Italiana Lenti Sclerali, and co-founder and president of the Euro & Austral-Asia Scleral Lens Academy. Dr. Fadel serves on boards of the International Forum for Scleral Lens Research and of the International Congress of Scleral Contact and advisory boards for the GP Lens Institute and the International Keratoconus Academy, and holds multiple other specialty association leadership roles. Dr. Fadel is currently in private practice in Italy. She will relocate to CORE’s facility at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada in the coming months. CORE’s specialty contact lens-related work spans a range of program areas, including design optimization for orthokeratology, scleral lens physiological performance, and the impact of scleral lenses on ocular surface disease and dry eye management.
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VuWall Expands Executive Team With Two Promotions Following Growth
VuWall, a technology leader in video wall control systems and unified visualization solutions, announced the promotions of Anna Kozel to vice president of marketing and Fadhl Al-Bayaty to vice president of product management. The move comes as the company continues to scale its executive team, introduce new product offerings and expand to new markets. "Anna and Fadhl are experts in their respective fields. As part of the executive team, they will be instrumental in shaping the corporate strategy and executing our continued growth and long-term success," said Paul Vander Plaetse, founder and CEO at VuWall. "Their leadership styles, dedication and full alignment with the company values will be key in continuing to build and grow our team." Kozel joined VuWall as director of marketing in March 2019. Since then, she has transformed the company's corporate image and considerably grown its visibility, which coincides with VuWall's revenue growth in the last three years despite the challenges faced in 2020. She will continue to report to CEO, Vander Plaetse, and oversee VuWall's marketing department globally, handling all marketing efforts including strategic partnerships, brand management and awareness. "Since joining VuWall, I've had the privilege of working with an incredibly dedicated team, an exceptional line of products and loyal partners and customers," said Kozel. "I am honored and motivated to take on this new role. Although we already have a strong position in the market, I look forward to strengthening and elevating the VuWall brand even further." Kozel has 20 years of experience in international business, marketing, systems engineering, strategic partnerships and alliances, sales and management, with a focus on marketing in pro AV for the past 13 years. She holds a Bachelor of Computer Science from Concordia University. More information is available about Kozel on her LinkedIn profile. Al-Bayaty joined VuWall as director of product management in October 2021. Since coming on-board, he has streamlined all product development and go-to-market product strategies and has proven to be a tremendous asset to the company. Al-Bayaty will continue to report to Mark Schmidt, CTO at VuWall, and will oversee product strategy for the entire life cycle of all the solutions in the company's ecosystem. "VuWall's exceedingly talented team and customer-focused culture of understanding client needs and pain points is the key to developing the right products," said Al-Bayaty. "I'm eager and committed to help accelerate VuWall's journey to becoming the de facto global leader for video wall and AV-over-IP visualization solutions." Al-Bayaty has 15 years of experience in product management, development, quality assurance and applications engineering, specializing in both hardware and software. He holds a master's degree in software engineering from Concordia University. More information is available about Al-Bayaty on his LinkedIn profile. More information about the company and its entire line of products is available at www.vuwall.com
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Peter Aarsen Appointed CEO of Yanmar’s Energy System Business
Leading global energy systems provider, Yanmar Energy System Co., Ltd., has announced the appointment of Peter Aarsen as Executive Officer of Yanmar Holdings in charge of Energy Systems Business. In his new role, Aarsen will oversee Yanmar’s global energy system business. Peter Aarsen served as President of Yanmar Europe B.V., Yanmar’s European headquarters, from 2014. “I am looking forward to taking on this new challenge in the energy domain,” said Aarsen. “The sector is changing and I’m excited to be a part of the new solutions and growth opportunities that this provides.” A global leader in energy solutions, Yanmar Energy System is active in the development, manufacturing, sales, installation, and maintenance of air conditioning and power generation systems, including cogeneration, as well as operation, support, and remote monitoring services. Recent years have seen the company expand into new markets with hydrogen technology as well as activities towards decarbonization with the establishment of a Carbon Neutral Business Promotion Office. Outgoing Yanmar Energy System President, Tetsuya Yamamoto, who has just been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Representative Director of Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd., welcomed Peter Aarsen to his new role. “Peter has become increasingly involved in the energy systems business which has benefited from his extensive technical knowledge and experience,” said Yamamoto. “His proven effectiveness in growing teams that drive revenue growth and profitability will ensure Yanmar Energy System continues to build on its global success.”
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Videogames Luminary Andrew Brown Appointed CEO of Universally Speaking
Universally Speaking, a leading end-to-end service provider for the global video gaming industry, today announced the appointment of Andrew Brown as Chief Executive Officer, after a sustained period of growth. Brown joins after a hugely successful role as Chief Marketing Officer at Keywords Studios, having previously held multiple successful senior roles at Activision. With an expanding partner portfolio, including Netmarble, NetEase, Meta, Sumo, Tencent, Bandai Namco EU/US, 2K and many more, Universally Speaking is a world leader in outsourcing services with decades of experience and a reputation matched only by a stellar list of instantly recognisable video games. Vikki Peggs, Founder of Universally Speaking will remain a non-executive director and advisor to the board of directors. “I am honoured to join Universally Speaking in the role of CEO,” commented Andrew Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Universally Speaking. “The expertise, passion and drive I have witnessed already from the staff across our business is inspiring. I am excited to work with our talented team to continue the successes of the past and build pathways to continued growth in the future.” Vikki Peggs, Advisor to the board of directors continued, “As founder of Universally Speaking 18 years ago, I could not imagine the amazing journey the company would undertake. Growing from a small business to a company that employs hundreds of people in over fifty countries, I have been humbled to have been part of that success.” She continued, “Andrew is the perfect appointment, with exemplary leadership and vision that will challenge and empower our talent, driving the business forward for years to come.” Universally Speaking has undergone rapid growth in recent years, now employing over four hundred staff across two locations in the United Kingdom, with its headcount reaching thousands across fifty-four countries. To explore how Universally Speaking could help your business, click https://usspeaking.com/ to learn more.
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AmRoc Premier Capital, LLC Announces Stephen Collins Joins as Managing Director & Principal
AmRoc Premier Capital, LLC (“AmRoc Premier” or the “Sponsor”) based in Atlantic Beach, Florida, is proud to announce that Stephen Collins has joined the firm as Managing Director & Principal. In addition to serving as a member of the firm’s investment committee, Collins will focus on leading the overall growth and strategic direction of AmRoc Premier Opportunity Fund, LP (“ARPOF” or the “Fund”), as well as be responsible for all capital markets and securities distribution, fund management and investor relations, investment management, marketing and operations. “Under the strategic leadership of Jeff Klotz, the firm operates with a high degree of execution and integrity, all while maintaining an entrepreneurial culture and strategy that inspires innovation and generates new opportunities for each member of the team,” said Stephen Collins, Managing Director & Principal. “AmRoc Premier is at an exciting inflection point as it solidifies its position as a leader in today’s current multifamily market. I am very excited about the tremendous opportunity and look forward to leveraging my experience, leadership ability, relationships, and track record as we continue to build and expand the firm’s impact throughout the Southeast. Collins is an industry veteran with extensive experience and a strong, successful track record of performance and value creation over 20 years. His Principal investment experience across all product types totals over $1.2 billion, as well as having been directly responsible for raising close to $350 million in private retail capital (including HNWs, BDs, RIAs, wirehouses, Family Offices, etc). His expertise centers around real estate private equity and structured finance, including investment management and strategic advisory, capital markets and securities distribution, and the creation, formation and investment management of institutional-quality, private real estate investment management and advisory firms and their subsequent launch through multiple investor distribution channels within the retail and institutional investor communities. Most recently, Collins held a senior executive management role at Convergent Capital Partners, a real estate private equity firm based in Tampa, Florida, specializing in distressed, opportunistic, value-add and special situation investments across the capital structure throughout the U.S. Previously, he founded SC Capital, a boutique real estate private equity investment management and advisory firm based in Saint Petersburg, Florida, that focused on distressed, opportunistic, value-add and special situation investments and advisory (including equity and debt) across all product types throughout the U.S. with strong, best-in-class sponsors and operating partners. Collins received a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Political Science cum laude from the College of Charleston. AmRoc Premier Founder & Managing Partner, Jeff Klotz, commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Stephen to our firm as his credibility, experience, relationships and track record, along with a proven ability to lead, execute and create significant long-term value, are an ideal fit for our firm, given our plans for significant growth and success.
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Tether Studios Hires Former Zynga VP Acquisitions and Business Affairs to Join its Women-led C-Suite
Tether Games, the world's leading independent developer of skill-based games, today announced that Sara Stapleton has joined its women-led executive team as General Counsel, Chief Business Officer and Secretary. Stapleton most recently served as Vice President Acquisitions and Business Affairs at Zynga where she led investment, partnership and M&A strategy for the social casino team. She will leverage her 20 years of experience in the Silicon Valley among private equity, private and public companies, and venture capital firms in acquisitions and divestitures, joint ventures, minority investments and structured finance transactions to help further drive Tether Games’ next phase of growth. Stapleton said, “Tim and Aletheia have built a world-class company in the skill-based gaming market. As more players discover the thrill of competitive play in skill-based gaming, and as more companies look to broaden their reach to users through engaging content, Tether Games is uniquely positioned to serve these audiences with its superior quality head-to-head competition and tournament style games. I look forward to applying my experience in investments, M&A, and scaling high-growth organizations to help take Tether Games to new heights.” Tim O'Neil, Co-Founder and CEO of Tether Games, said: “This is an exciting time for our business with rapid growth across our catalog of games. I am delighted Sara has joined our team to help us accelerate our growth. Her expertise in investments and M&A within the tech and gaming industries, along with her understanding of how to work closely with Fortune 500 companies in this space make her ideally suited to accelerate our growth during these times of significant growth and change.” Aletheia O'Neil, Co-Founder and COO of Tether Games, said: “As part of our commitment to continually attract and retain women thought leaders from the games industry, we are pleased to announce that Sara has joined Tether Games. We’re in a unique position, poised for tremendous market growth as more players embrace casual competition on mobile. With the addition of Sara’s expertise to lead our global partnership and investment efforts, we'll further be able to drive the global expansion of our skill-based games.” Today’s news falls on the heels of Tether Games’ recent growth announcement of achieving $250 million in total gross lifetime revenue for the company in 2021 and taking its total catalog up to 27 titles downloaded by over 30 million players worldwide. Tether Games’ extensive catalog of skill-based games allows players to engage in head-to-head competitions, large multi-entry tournaments and bracket-based tournaments. Players can join multi-round tournaments for the chance to earn cash rewards as well as other prizes, including trophies. To learn more about Tether Games’ skill-based games, visit www.tethergames.com
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TIE Kinetix Appoints New Senior Account Manager for the United States
TIE Kinetix, a leader in 100% supply chain digitalization, is pleased to announce that Mrs. Schelley Moran has been appointed as a Senior Account Manager for the United States. Schelley Moran brings more than 25 years of direct sales experience in EDI, B2B, and Cloud/SaaS integration to TIE Kinetix. Before joining TIE Kinetix, she held various sales positions in the EDI industry, during which she drove sales to constantly meet and exceed revenue goals. As a Senior Account Manager for TIE Kinetix in the United States, Schelley is responsible for managing existing accounts and creating and maintaining relationships with new customers. Schelley’s commitment to surpassing expectations of the customers she works with makes her an asset to the TIE Kinetix team. David Fullen, Country Manager of TIE Kinetix US, says: "We were eager to have Schelley join our team because of her years of experience in EDI and Cloud integration, and from her first week at TIE Kinetix, Schelley’s professionalism with customers has stood out. She has proven her knowledge of EDI and her dedication to each customer by her hard work, and she will be essential in helping TIE Kinetix to continue to reach the goals that we have set for our company. Any customer who works with Schelley is in good hands." Schelley Moran says: "I have enjoyed a rewarding and long-standing relationship with TIE Kinetix that began when I managed their partnership at another company. I have always been impressed by the vision of TIE Kinetix leadership and the dedication of the TIE Kinetix teams in supporting and expanding their customer base with exceptional solutions and services. I’m looking forward to utilizing my experience and knowledge in EDI and B2B to collaborate with customers in attaining their 100% digitalization goals with our FLOW Partner Automation solution. Joining the team at TIE Kinetix and contributing to this effort is an exciting next step in my career journey.”
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Comcast Names Rachel Drake Vice President of Human Resources in Washington State
Comcast today announced Rachel Drake as the new Vice President of Human Resources in Washington. She will lead Comcast Washington's Human Resources team and operations in this role, including business partners, environmental health and safety, employee engagement, and internal communications. Drake replaces Betsy Kippenhan, who was named division vice president of Comcast Talent and Acquisition earlier this year. "On behalf of the Washington Region, I am thrilled to welcome Rachel to our team," said Rodrigo Lopez, regional senior vice president of Comcast Washington. "She has unmatched expertise in human resources. I look forward to working together to sustain an environment where all of our teammates feel connected to the business, each other, our customers, and communities no matter the circumstance." A human resources and labor relations executive with more than 20 years of experience, Drake most recently served as vice president of Human Resources for Seattle-based Weyerhaeuser. She led the Wood Products Human Resources organization, managing a team of approximately 38 human resources professionals across the United States and Canada. A lawyer by trade, Drake began her career practicing law at Miller Nash LLP as an associate in employee law and labor relations before joining Weyerhaeuser in 2006 as senior employment legal counsel. "I'm happy to be joining Comcast and look forward to supporting Washington Region employees as they grow with the company in an environment of shared success," said Drake. "Together, we will continue to build an inclusive, supportive and innovative culture every day, year-round." Rachel earned her undergraduate degree from Washington State University and her Juris Doctor's law degree from Seattle University School of Law. Comcast is deeply committed to Washington, where our thousands of employees serve more than 1.7 million residential and business customers throughout our state footprint. Comcast is Washington's leading media and technology provider that connects people and businesses to resources and moments that matter. For more information, please visit https://washington.comcast.com/
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Veteran Content Creator Helen Swenson Becomes AccuWeather's Chief Content Officer
AccuWeather, the most accurate and most used source of global weather forecasts and warnings, today announced the addition of veteran content creator Helen Swenson to its dynamic leadership team as Chief Content Officer effective June 13, 2022. Swenson comes to AccuWeather from her previous role as Vice President of Content at NY1 Spectrum News. Reporting to Kurt Fulepp, AccuWeather President of Digital, Swenson will direct strategy for all content initiatives across AccuWeather’s multiple award-winning platforms and formats, including the AccuWeather Network, AccuWeather NOW™ streaming service and all digital content on the AccuWeather.com® website and award winning mobile app. This includes holistically overseeing the seamless integration of the AccuWeather brand story, weather, lifestyle and scientific insights into content across each AccuWeather ecosystem, for all audiences. Swenson’s content, strategic programming and production career spans several decades of leading various content teams. In addition to her tenure at NY1 Spectrum News, where she served for more than two years, previous roles include Senior Vice President of Programming at The Weather Channel, President and General Manager of WIAT in Birmingham, Creator and Executive Producer of the nationally syndicated talk show, “Sister Circle Live,” and as News Director for both KIRO-TV and WPEC-TV. She has also held several news executive positions within Cox Enterprises. “I am thrilled to welcome Helen to implement her uncompromising, strategic vision for AccuWeather,” said Fulepp. “Her outstanding track record and impressive background as a renowned content visionary and media executive will go a long way to strengthen our brand and better serve our loyal and growing global audience. Helen is a genuine fan of AccuWeather, and importantly, she has the perfect mix of experience in breaking news, live programming and editorial specials to take our cross platform content offering to new heights” Said Swenson, “I am delighted to have AccuWeather serve as this next chapter in my career. This year celebrating 60 years in business, AccuWeather is a known, ‘tried and true’ historic brand that has stood the test of time for the honorable purpose of saving lives and helping people, businesses and communities prosper. Joining this team is truly an honor and I look forward to contributing to its explosive growth.” Swenson also has considerable leadership experience, having served as a board member of NATAS Southeast Chapter and has been a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, the Asian American Journalists Association, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the Human Rights Campaign. AccuWeather reaches more than 1.5 billion people worldwide through its digital and media properties across all platforms and serves more than half of the Fortune 500 companies and thousands of other businesses and government agencies globally. The AccuWeather Network, carried on Spectrum, DirecTV, Verizon Fios, Frontier and other cable systems, has earned multiple accolades since its launch in 2015, including most recently, 2022 Cablefax Program Awards, seven Telly Awards in various categories in 2021 and 2022, and 2021 Digiday Media Awards. AccuWeather NOW™ streaming service launched in 2021 and is currently available to more than 236 million active users via Roku, Xumo, Plex, LG, Redbox, Amazon Freevee and other streaming platforms. The AccuWeather app, which was redesigned and released in 2020, won three prestigious awards by the World Meteorological Association, including the top category of “Best Design and Presentation of Information, User-Friendliness; Access and Customization” (Private Sector); as well as “Best User Interface and Data Representation” (Innovation); and “Best Weather Warnings” (Private Sector). In 2022 alone, the AccuWeather app’s MinuteCast® won the Webby’s People’s Voice Award amidst the biggest turnout in Webby Awards History and was ranked as the “Best Weather App Overall” by ZDNet and the “Best Live Forecasts” by BestApp.com
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America Oggi to Be Published as Daily Italian News Section of America Domani; Barbara Benzoni Appointed Editor
America Domani today announced it has appointed veteran Italian journalist Barbara Benzoni to oversee the ‘America Oggi’ content area of its platform. Benzoni’s appointment continues the legacy and heritage of America Oggi, which will live on America Domani as a daily section catered to Italian language readers across the world. America Oggi was founded in 1988 and served as the most popular Italian language daily newspaper in the world outside of Italy prior to its rights being acquired by America Domani in 2022. Content on the America Oggi section will be published in the Italian language, while the rest of America Domani’s primary content across other sections will remain in English. “There are more than 62 million Italian speakers across the world, many of whom live outside of Italy and have turned to America Oggi as their trusted source of news for four decades,” said Barbara Benzoni. “I was immediately inspired by the vision of America Domani to create an inclusive community that brings together everyone who shares a love and passion for Italy regardless of their background. The opportunity to oversee the Italian language area of America Domani through the lens of an historical brand in America Oggi is truly an honor.” Based in Rome, Benzoni is a 25-year journalism veteran who has contributed to the most prestigious publications on the topics of culture, sports, arts, current affairs, and social studies. In addition to her journalism credentials, Benzoni has served as General Secretary of the Italian American Sport Foundation, Head of Communications for several World Championships at the Qatar Olympic Committee, and Project Leader for World AIDS Day. She has held communications leadership positions with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Italian Rugby Federation (FIR), and ESPN Classic Sport and the National Basketball Association (NBA) in Italy and Switzerland. “We are honored to carry forward the tradition and legacy of America Oggi through the leadership of one of the most respected Italian journalists in the world in Barbara Benzoni,” said Al DiGuido, Publisher & CEO of America Domani. “It was critical to us that we maintain an area of America Domani that caters to the needs and interests of our Italian speaking audience who have relied on America Oggi for generations. Our Italian audience will be able to visit the America Oggi section of our platform and sign-up for daily email alerts and exclusive content.” Launching in summer 2022, America Domani is the leading digital media community for everyone who has an affinity for Italian culture. To sign-up for notifications, visit www.americadomani.com. To sign up for daily America Oggi Italian language email updates, visit www.americadomani.com/oggi
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Porsche Korea CEO Holger Gerrmann Elected as New Chairperson of the Kore-an-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Porsche Korea CEO Holger Gerrmann was elected as the 9th German Chairperson at the 41st Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI, President & CEO Martin Henkelmann) Annual General Meeting on June 24th. CEO Holger Gerrmann stated, “As a member of the board of directors of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the past two years, the commitment of the KGCCI team and the President & CEO Martin Henkelmann has truly been impressive, providing continuous support and growth opportunities to Korean and German businesses in the two countries, relevant up-to-date business information, inspirations and experiences beyond individual business sectors,” and added that, “We will continue to create the foundation for Korean and German companies to grow together, honouring the long-standing successful business relationships of our two countries and emphasizing the importance of innovation and social responsibility.” KGCCI President & CEO Martin Henkelmann said, “I am delighted that Holger Gerrmann has been elected German Chairperson of KGCCI. His vast experience in leading very successfully a company in the German-Korean business environment will strongly contribute to enhancing even more the German-Korean economic relations in these globally challenging times.” Porsche Korea has been strengthening its cooperative relationship with the KGCCI in 2021 by signing the Ausbildung business agreement, a German-style dual vocational education system. In order to reflect the characteristics of both Korea and Germany, the KGCCI elected Holger Gerrmann as the German Chairperson and Deutsche Bank CEO Park Hyun-Nam as the Korean Chairperson and will be operated under a co-chairperson system. Porsche Korea CEO Holger Gerrmann has more than doubled the sales performance since taking office in 2019, leading the brand's rapid growth. Porsche Korea has been building a unique sports car brand image by successfully launching a variety of new cars in Korea every year and has further strengthened its network and brand experience by opening new sales platforms such as the Porsche Studio and Porsche NOW pop-up stores. Meanwhile, CEO Gerrmann has accumulated various experiences while serving in major positions in Porsche AG, Porsche Design, and Porsche UK.
