Page 65: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Jun/Jul 2013)

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People

On the Move

By Audrey Leon 150 years and had improved to grow its international through its ability to adapt presence with these invest- and thrive.” ments, and he is enthusias-

While job hopping is tic about markets in Brazil, common in the industry, Wi- Singapore, China, Africa ernicki found ABS’ commit- and Mexico.

ment to preserving safety, “I am convinced that the property, and the environ- future of offshore safety will ment reasons to stay put for be equally technical above the long-haul. and below the waterline; so “It is an organization that ABS will be investing in a has shown technology lead- broad range of R&D projects. ership and innovation on We are developing next-

Christopher Wiernicki, new a grand scale. That excites generation safety systems me and energizes me every related to automation and chairman of ABS and ABS Group, day,” he says. control and are developing celebrates 20 years this year

What currently excites in a number of products that

Last month, Christopher J. MS in Structural Engineer- Wiernicki are ABS’ global facilitate software integra-

Wiernicki, President and ing from George Washington technology centers, which tion,” he says.

CEO of ABS added the title University and an MS in he calls a ‘cornerstone of our After two decades in ABS’ of chairman to his creden- Ocean Engineering from global ecosystem for innova- management, Wiernicki says tials after the boards of Massachusetts Institute tion.’ he has learned that while both ABS and ABS Group of Technology. Wiernicki “The changing offshore markets and business driv- of Companies announced is also a graduate of the environment guarantees that ers may change, people do the dual appointments. He Harvard Business School demands on technology will not.

replaces former chairman Advanced Management increase. A key focus will be “It is important to invest

Robert D. Somerville who Program. to enhance and expand our in them, to provide growth retired on April 30 follow- “I knew that as a naval global network of technol- opportunities, and to con- ing 43 years with ABS. architect, I wouldn’t fnd ogy centers because they tinually look ahead in terms

The new roles come as another organization in this facilitate partnering with of defning and grooming

Wiernicki celebrates 20 country with the same ex- industry, academia, and gov- the next generation of lead- years with the company. He posure to offshore, marine, ernment in vital R&D work ers,” he says. “Succession joined ABS in 1993 as vice and government,” he says. that will help the industry planning is critical and president of engineering “When I joined the com- move safely into new and talent management is more within ABS Americas Divi- pany, I realized how much challenging areas,” he says. important today than ever sion. He eventually served it had changed during its Wiernicki says ABS aims before.” as president and COO of

ABS Europe Ltd., chief tech- (Noreco) as its CEO, succeed- Haddara, who was appointed nology offcer, and president

CEO Updates ing Einar Gjelsvik. oil minister last month.

and COO of ABS Group of

Bjørnar Iversen takes over Treaty Energy Corp. named

Chesapeake Energy Corp.

Companies, Inc.

as Songa Offshore’s CEO, Max Mohamed, former vice chose Robert Douglas

Wiernicki says that ABS replacing interim chief Jens president of Stonegate Opera-

Lawler, Anadarko’s senior frst popped up on his radar

Wilhelmsen. tors, president and CEO of vice president of international screen in college, and even-

State-owned Egyptian Gen- Treaty Belize Energy, Ltd.

and deepwater operations, to tually he earned an ABS eral Petroleum Corp. (EGPC) Nezar al-Adasani replaces replace Aubrey McClendon.

scholarship. He holds a BS named Tarek El-Barkatawy Faruq al-Zanki as CEO of

Svein Arild Killingland in Civil Engineering from its new CEO, replacing Sherif Kuwait Petroleum Corp.

joins Norwegian Energy Co.

Vanderbilt University, an oedigital.com June 2013 | OE 67 067OE_0613_OntheMove.indd 67 5/27/13 3:47 PM