Ken Torok, who for the past five years has guided UPS's Asia Pacific operations, will retire this spring and be replaced by Derek Woodward, a long-time UPS manager who currently works as one of Torok's top deputies.
Woodward, 45, is a Canadian native who joined UPS in 1985 as a part-time package sorter and then driver. Seventeen of his 23 years in the transportation and logistics industry have been spent working outside North America for UPS in a wide variety of marketing, business development and sales positions. He moved to Singapore last year to serve as a senior vice president to Torok, responsible for all staff functions for the Asia Pacific Region.
The succession will take effect on April 1, 2008.
"Ken Torok has ably directed our Asia Pacific operations during a time of considerable change and extraordinary growth," said Dan Brutto, president, UPS International. "During his tenure, the company enhanced its basic network infrastructure serving the region; dramatically expanded its air links and services within Asia, and established the industry's first wholly owned operation in China and a new operating alliance in India.
Torok became the president of UPS Asia Pacific in 2003, assuming responsibility for all UPS package operations in more than 40 countries and territories. Prior to that move, he served as the South Florida District manager in the United States. South Florida is one of the company's busiest and most diverse operations and is UPS's gateway to Latin America.