UPS announced today that Rhonda Clark will become the company’s Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) effective immediately. Clark will succeed Scott Wicker, who helped create UPS’s sustainability architecture and implemented numerous successful initiatives during his seven years leading UPS’s Sustainability group.
During this period, the company set aggressive sustainability goals, achieved success in key areas by improving efficiencies in operations and expanded its alternative fuel/advanced technology fleet by more than 50 percent.
Clark, a native of Knoxville, Tenn., most recently served as vice president of Plant Engineering for UPS Airlines. She was responsible for UPS Airlines’ sustainability initiatives and oversaw all areas of UPS facilities management in Louisville, Ky., along with all new development projects. The 25-year veteran has also served in several plant engineering roles throughout the company’s operations.
UPS also has named Amy Whitley as the company’s first Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer. Whitley will oversee global strategies to ensure that UPS leverages the talents and unique perspectives of a diverse workforce. She also will serve as vice president overseeing strategic human resources programs.
During her 31 year UPS career, Whitley has held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility in operations, human resources, airlines and supply chain solutions. Whitley created and successfully implemented the Women’s Leadership Development Program at UPS which subsequently led to the expansion of Business Resource Groups across many employee constituencies. These groups unite UPS employees globally by providing development opportunities and ways to make a positive impact in the communities in which they work, live and volunteer.
In November, UPS announced the launch of its route optimization software known as ORION (On-Road Integrated Optimization and Navigation), which the company said would save more than 1.5 million gallons of fuel and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 14,000 metric tons by the end of the holidays.
Speaking of women leaders, General Motors in December named a Mary Barra as its new CEO — making her the first woman to lead a major automaker. Barra previously served as an executive vice president in the company’s global product development unit.
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Founder, Hower Impact
Mike Hower is the founder of Hower Impact — a boutique consultancy delivering strategic communication advisory and support for corporate sustainability, ESG and climate tech.
Published Jun 13, 2014 1pm EDT / 10am PDT / 6pm BST / 7pm CEST