The UPS Board of Directors has named David Abney, currently the company’s chief operating officer, as its new chief executive officer and appointed him to the board of directors. Scott Davis, 62, who has served as the company’s chairman of the board and CEO since 2008, will retire from UPS and assume the role of non-executive chairman. Both moves are effective September 1, 2014.
Abney, 58, becomes the 11th chief executive officer in the 107-year history of the company. He began his UPS career in 1974 as a part-time package loader. Over the course of his 40-year career, he held various operational positions leading to his current position. As chief operating officer, Abney had responsibility for UPS logistics, sustainability and engineering, leading the company’s significant investment in alternative fuel fleets, and implementing programs to expand the company’s total freight volume. In that role, he directed the UPS transportation network serving more than 200 countries and territories.
Prior to becoming chief operating officer, Abney served as president of UPS International where he led the expansion of the company’s global logistics capabilities. In that role, Abney oversaw several global acquisitions to expand service capacity and local market presence. His international experience includes leading the logistics and freight divisions in Canada and Latin America as well as heading global freight forwarding and customs brokerage.
