ABS Nautical Systems Continues to Strengthen Management Team

(Houston, Texas) ABS Nautical Systems, the world’s fastest growing provider of fleet management software, announces the addition of four senior executives to lead the firm’s rapid growth globally and to better serve their customers.  

Thomas Blenk has been appointed Vice President of Global Operations for ABS Nautical Systems. Blenk, a veteran of ABS with over 12 years of experience in both classification and operations, oversees the account management and consulting teams and is overall responsible for implementation of the NS5 software suite for customers worldwide. Previously, Blenk was Country Manager, United Arab Emirates for ABS, and brings international expertise in directing complex state-of the-art marine projects. 

Brad Achorn has been appointed to the ABS Nautical Systems management team as Regional Vice President, working in the Piraeus office. A veteran of ABS for 13 years, Achorn started as a surveyor and has held a number of increasingly senior positions throughout his career, until his most recent as ABS Country Manager for Denmark. In his new role, Achorn is responsible for strategic business development and planning for his region, as well as overseeing the efforts of the account management and consulting teams in Europe.

Darren Unger has been promoted to Director of Global Account Management for ABS Nautical Systems. A 28 year veteran of ABS, Unger is responsible for client satisfaction and retention, as well as inside aftermarket sales, development of business plans and servicing key accounts.  For the last 11 years, Unger has worked within the Nautical Systems Division as Manager of Consulting Services and, previously, as Senior Product Consultant.

Alvaro Pozo has been promoted to Regional Director for the South America region. As former Regional Sales Manager, Pozo has been with ABS Nautical Systems since 1999 and has almost 20 years of IT experience in the maritime industry. Pozo is responsible for oversight and management of all activities in South America, including consulting, account management, sales and business development in the region.

The additions round out the existing management team, led by President and Chief Operating Officer Karen Hughey.

“ABS Nautical Systems is known for its customer-centric innovation, and these latest executive appointments will enable us to continue that legacy – better serving our clients and extending the fast-paced growth we’ve experienced over the past year through customer-driven advancements in fleet management software,” said Hughey. “I look forward to working with this team of progressive leaders, with strong credentials in customer service, to provide our clients with the solutions and service they have come to expect from ABS Nautical Systems.”

Blenk, Achorn Unger and Pozo join Hughey and existing management team members Joe Woods, Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing, responsible for overseeing and developing strategic marketing opportunities and sales efforts worldwide; Fernando Lehrer, Director of Global Product Development, responsible for implementing ABS Nautical Systems’ vision for innovation in fleet management solutions in the marine and offshore sectors; Kristofer Maanum, Regional Director for the Pacific Region of ABS Nautical Systems, responsible for managing all regional accounts for ABS Nautical Systems Pacific, as well as promoting business growth and expansion within the region; and Lefteris Maistralis, Regional Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), responsible for managing all regional accounts within ABS Nautical Systems EMEA, as well as promoting business growth and expansion within the region.

About ABS Nautical Systems
ABS Nautical Systems, a division of ABS, is the fastest growing provider of fleet management software in the world. Its offerings are at the forefront of software solutions that promote cost and operation efficiency for the maritime industry. Through these innovative and customer-driven investments in research and development, ABS Nautical Systems is able to supply its clients with practical software solutions that can have a measurable impact on a ship or offshore user’s operations and business. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, ABS Nautical Systems has offices around the world to serve its extended customer base.