AOI appoints new CFO

Alliance One International says that Joel L. Thomas, currently vice president, treasurer, is being promoted to the role of executive vice president, CFO, from Jan. 1.

Thomas will take over from Robert A. Sheets, who is retiring from AOI after more than 15 years with the company.

Sheets, who is currently executive vice president, CFO and chief administrative officer (CAO), will relinquish his role as CFO from Dec. 31 but will remain as CAO for a transitional period.

Thomas joined AOI in December 2005 as vice president, treasurer.

He has an MBA from Nova Southeastern University and a BA in political science from the University of California.

Meanwhile, also at AOI, Nichlas A. Fink has been promoted to the role of vice president, corporate controller and chief compliance officer.

And Hampton R. Poole, currently vice president, corporate controller, is to become director of supply chain reporting to Jose Maria Costa, executive vice president, global operations and supply chain. Poole’s new position has been created to continue the efficiency drive AOI launched in late 2011.