Kristján Pálsson
Chairman
Chairman
Kristján is Managing Director of Jonar Transport hf in Iceland. Jonar Transport joined the WACO organisation in 1996. Kristján was elected to the WACO Board in April 2011. He graduated with BS degree in Business Administration from University of South Alabama in 1991. He joined Samskip in 1991 in various roles including Sales and Customer Account Representative, US Route Manager, Sales Manager of Samskip UK Ltd from 1995 to 1998 followed by Managing Director of Samskip UK Ltd from 1998 to 2002. Kristján became Managing Director of Jonar Transport in 2002. Kristján says the achievements he is most proud of include being Captain of The University of South Alabama soccer team 1989-1990 and having climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro (5950 mtrs) in 2007.
Vice Chairman
Arthur is the Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of Jet-Speed Air Cargo Forwarders (HK) Ltd. joined WACO in 1974 and is currently the longest serving member in the organisation. Arthur was elected to the WACO Board in 1989 and served until 1992. He was re-elected to the WACO Board in April 2011 and is also Vice Chairman. Arthur has successfully built Jet-Speed Air Cargo Forwarders (HK) Ltd a company that was established in 1967 and is one of the largest locally owned freight forwarding companies in Hong Kong with over 500 employees.
Chief Executive Officer
Richard Charles joined the Board of WACO in June 2011 having previously worked for DB Schenker Logistics where he was Vice President for Sales & Marketing for EMEA and member of the European Management organisation. He joined DB Schenker in 2006 following the DB acquisition of BAX Global Inc. His career includes P&L and general management from branch management to MD level whilst managing and leading company integrations of sales/ops teams following merger activity.
Board Member
Reena launched her career in 1999, joining ITN in 2002 as Air Import Manager. Reena was promoted to General Manager of the International Group in 2010, allowing for a broader scope of exposure to all modes, working with the management team to expand ITN’s sea freight consolidation program. Promoted to Vice President of Operations in 2016, Reena worked with management on sustainability and growth strategies. With the mentoring, guidance, support from ITN management and the shared vision of Monica Kennedy, who always reminds everyone that “our people are what makes us successful”, Reena is home. The ITN Group is a proud member of WBE (Women Business Enterprise) and joined WACO in 2017. Reena is a member of the WACO Working Group contributing to development initiatives.
Board Member
Vincent is Head of Non-standard Services & Global Partners Management and has participated in WACO meetings since 2010. Vincent graduated from the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Angers in France, joining the Board of Les Transports Graveleau in 1992 as Sales & Marketing Director whilst also developing the Freight Forwarding division. He joined DACHSER in 1999 when they acquired Les Transports Graveleau later becoming the Head of Sales for France and Maghreb then Managing Director Air and Sea in France. In recent years he took responsibility for DACHSER USA based in Atlanta before returning to Europe in 2022 heading up DACHSER’s Partner Network and Services including Rail and Express. Vincent is a member of the global board of DACHSER Air and Sea Logistics.
Board Member
Sean is Managing Director of dnata logistics based in Dubai, has lived, and worked throughout the Middle East, Europe, USA and South Africa in senior Executive and Board positions in companies such as TNT, DHL, La Poste and dnata/Emirates. Recently he transformed the JV into a 100% division of the Emirates group by 2019. His experience and knowledge as an executive, specifically in the Middle East and Africa adds value to the running of executive boards, promoting value through cooperation and relishes the development and execution of all things business related and sees himself as a serial networker.
Board Member
Simon Rawlinson is the Operations Director of Trans Global Freight Management Limited and is based in the UK. Simon joined Trans Global in 1994 working in the Road Freight Division. Over the years he has advanced his career with Trans Global and has accepted various challenges as the business has evolved and developed, taking on the role of Director in 2014 to head the Surface Freight Division, including the supervision of several branches. Since the 2017 Macau WACO Conference, Simon has become a familiar representative for Trans Global at the WACO General Meetings.