Kirsi Tikka
(Houston, TX—) ABS President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki has announced that ABS Vice President and current Chief Engineer Dr. Kirsi Tikka will transfer to London to assume the role of President and COO of the ABS Europe Division.
The division is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the society throughout Scandinavia, Northern and Southern Europe, the British Isles, the wider Mediterranean region and Africa. Tikka, a native of Finland, takes over from John McDonald who is transferring to Houston as Vice President and Chief of Staff of the organization. “Kirsi Tikka brings an unmatched combination of technical knowledge, client focus and operational understanding to this position, ” says Wiernicki. “She is very well known throughout the region, with very strong client contacts. Her appointment allows us to further strengthen the delivery of the growing range of our classification products and services to the European market, including energy efficiency and environmental solutions for regulatory requirements.”
Tikka has previously served as the society’s Vice President of Global Technology and Business Development, Vice President of Technology and as Vice President of Engineering within the ABS Europe Division. Prior to joining ABS she gained direct operational experience with Chevron Shipping. Tikka holds a Doctorate in Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.
Christopher Wiernicki
McDonald brings a similar broad range of operational and client service experience to his new role as Chief of Staff at the society’s global headquarters. He has been with ABS for more than 15 years and has held several leadership positions prior to his European tenure including District Manager for the US Central District and Assistant Chief Surveyor for Naval Programs.
“John McDonald brings direct operational knowledge and a strong client-oriented perspective to the challenge of constantly improving ABS service delivery, ” said Wiernicki. “We are a global organization and it is important that we have wide-ranging experience in our senior management team. McDonald’s experience in Europe will be extremely important as he evaluates and recommends new approaches that will further accentuate the superiority of ABS’ services in the rapidly evolving and demanding marine and offshore classification sectors.” The above management changes will be effective 1 May 2012.
About ABS
Founded in 1862, ABS is a leading international classification society devoted to promoting the security of life, property and the marine environment through the development and verification of standards for the design, construction and operational maintenance of marine-related facilities.
John McDonald
