Andrasick gets
permanent post
as Matson president
James Andrasick, who helped steer Matson Navigation Co. through last year's dockworkers lockout and subsequent cargo interruptions, has been named the permanent president and chief executive officer of the Alexander & Baldwin Inc. subsidiary.
Andrasick, whose appointment is effective Aug. 1, had been serving in that position on an interim basis since July 1, 2002. He will continue as executive vice president of parent company A&B, holding interim chief financial officer responsibilities at A&B until a replacement is named.
"This is a great company, with exceptional employees, and I look forward to growing the business with the Matson team in the years to come," said Andrasick, who will be relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area after living in Hawaii for 25 years. "Improving customer service and controlling costs in a highly competitive industry are high priorities and will lay the foundation for expansion in a number of transportation-related businesses."
Allen Doane, chairman of Matson and president and CEO of A&B, said Andrasick has led Matson through some difficult challenges during the last year.
"He has been at the helm during the extended labor disruptions on the West Coast last fall, significant improvements at the Honolulu Sand Island terminal, the relocation of all three West Coast terminals, and the initial construction of two new container ships," Doane said.
A&B, which is scheduled to release its second-quarter earnings after the stock market closes Thursday, also announced additional management changes and several realignments.
>> Dave Hoppes has been promoted to vice president, ocean services, reporting to Andrasick. He will have responsibility for all Matson sales, marketing, pricing and customer service activities.
>> Jack Sullivan has been promoted to vice president, vessel operations, reporting to Ron Forest, senior vice president, operations.
>> Gary North will assume the title of senior vice president, Pacific. He is in Honolulu. In addition to his existing responsibilities for Guam and Matson Terminals, North will directly report to Rich Bliss, vice president and area manager for Hawaii, and Merle Kelai, vice president of community relations.
>> Bob Dawdy, general manager of container operations, also will report to Forest.
>> Bal Dreyfus will assume the position of director of vehicle operations, reporting to Forest. Dreyfus will focus on new initiatives in Matson's Hawaii auto transportation business, improvements to the S.S. Lurline, and related shoreside investments at Oakland, Honolulu and Kahului, Maui.
>> Matt Cox, Matson senior vice president and chief financial officer, will assume responsibility for Matson's investment in Sea Star Lines and will join the board of managers of two operating joint ventures.
>> Jeff Hull, manager of public relations, will report to Andrasick; and Mary Lee Sharp, director of human resources, will report to Kevin O'Rourke, senior vice president and general counsel.
>> Paul E. Stevens, executive vice president, will be leaving the company effective July 30.
>> Bob Papworth, president of subsidiary Matson Intermodal System, will report directly to Andrasick.