Pieter Sikkel will become president and chief executive officer of Alliance One International on March 1. Sikkel is currently the company’s president and a member of its board of directors. Mark W. Kehaya, currently chairman of the board of directors and interim CEO, will continue as nonexecutive chairman of the board of directors and will assist in the transition.
“This transition in leadership marks an end to our significant restructuring that began in December of 2010, and the company once again has a firm foundation. We want to thank Mark for his leadership and efforts in driving the restructuring and the refocusing of the business,” said William Sheridan, lead independent director.
“The board of directors and I are extremely pleased to appoint Pieter to the role of president and chief executive officer,” said Kehaya. “Mr. Sikkel has served Alliance One and predecessor companies for over 30 years as China country manager, Asia regional director, executive vice president [of] business strategy and relationship management, and most recently as president of the company and a member of the board of directors.
“Pieter’s exceptional experience, strategic insight and extensive industry knowledge make him well positioned to lead our global team, both to continue and expand on the company’s key initiatives and innovations, and to further strengthen the company’s market position by delivering additional value to our shareholders, customers and growers. I would personally like to thank all of our employees for their efforts, loyalty and talents that they have brought to bear during the last two years.”
“I’d like to thank Mark Kehaya for his excellent work leading the restructuring of the company,” said Sikkel. “As a result of his efforts, Alliance One is in a substantially stronger position to address the varied challenges and opportunities of this industry.
“Alliance One remains firmly focused on both the present and the future. From seed, through leaf and sales, we are committed to supplying the product type and quality that our customers require, to providing the highest quality service, and to being the lowest cost supplier in every market in which we operate.
“In addition, through our continued emphasis on agronomy ingenuity, we remain focused on improving farmer income and sustainable global supply security. We have also instituted programs that are targeted at reducing operating cycle and improving financial metrics, and through such initiatives are seeking to create and capitalize on opportunities that should enhance shareholder value.”