CEO Today Magazine April 2018 Edition

63 www.ceotodaymagazine.com APPOINTMENTS production and merchandising teams, as well as overseeing domestic wholesale distribution. Ms. Bakst joined Michael Kors in 2003, leading the successful launch of the company’s Accessories and Footwear businesses. “I am extremely excited about leading Kate Spade’s passionate and accomplished team and joining Tapestry’s house of brands,” said Ms. Bakst. “I believe the Kate Spade business has tremendous opportunity across product categories, channels and geographies. I look forward to leveraging the brand’s global potential and to bringing its unique and empowering feminine positioning to women around the world.” Seaboard Foods Names President and CEO Seaboard Corporation announced that Darwin “Duke” Sand has been named the next President and Chief Executive Officer of Seaboard Foods LLC. Sand, with more than 30 years of pork industry experience, is a 22‑year veteran of Seaboard Foods and has been instrumental in leading the company from a start‑up operation in the mid‑1990s to a leading connected food system company, producing and selling premium pork products throughout the United States and internationally. Sand assumed his new role immediately. Steven J. Bresky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Seaboard Corporation, stated: “As a pork industry veteran with vast experience and knowledge, Duke’s leadership will advance our uniquely connected food system to help achieve our vision to create the most sought‑after pork in the industry. I’m confident that with Duke’s energy, expertise and dedication, he will continue to lead us on a path that showcases our commitment to produce wholesome and delicious pork products to customers around the world.” Sand joined Seaboard Foods in 1996 and was instrumental in building Seaboard Foods’ reputation as a leading US pork exporter. Prior to becoming Seaboard Foods’ Senior Vice President of Sales with responsibilities for all sales and marketing in 2011, he was in charge of the Seaboard Foods’ pork export business as Vice President of International Sales. Nuance Appoints Mark Benjamin as Chief Executive Officer Nuance Communications, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously appointed Mark Benjamin as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Benjamin, who will join Nuance on April 23, 2018, is a dynamic leader who brings 25 years of experience in technology markets to the position. He succeeds Paul Ricci, who will retire from Nuance on March 29, 2018. A proven leader, Mark Benjamin currently serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of NCR Corporation, a leading technology company with software and hardware solutions for businesses. In his role, Mr. Benjamin is responsible for leading NCR’s sales, solutions management, business and product development, services and supply chain operations. Mr. Benjamin has established himself as a leader and expert in cloud-based services, software recurring revenue models and go-to-market strategies. He offers extensive experience in markets, sectors and solutions that are directly relevant to Nuance, including the cloud, software-as-a-service, mobile, big data and the Internet of Things (IoT). “After a comprehensive search process, on behalf of the Board and the Company, I am excited to welcome Mark Benjamin as the next Chief Executive Officer of Nuance,” said Robert Frankenberg, Nuance director and chair of the CEO Search Committee. “With a shareholder focus, proven history of results, stellar reputation in the industry, and wealth of leadership experience, we are confident that Mark is the right leader for Nuance.” “I am appreciative to the Board and am honored for the opportunity to lead this tremendous organization of innovative, talented and driven professionals,” said Mark Benjamin. “I am excited to join Nuance at this important moment in the Company’s history and am eager to work closely with the team. As I look ahead, I am confident that the Nuance team will continue to deliver important innovations for our customers and lead this dynamic field while creating meaningful value for our shareholders.” Erik Ahlberg Appointed New CEO of ahaWorld ahaWorld AB has appointed Erik Ahlberg as its new CEO. Erik’s latest position was with Jackpotjoy PLC (listed on the London Stock Exchange) where he served as Commercial Project Manager, Global CMO and Director Business Development for the group’s flagship product VerjaJohn.com over the last 5 years. Erik has previously held positions as CEO of platform provider Tain, President of poker network Tribeca Tables (acquired by Playtech) and CEO of gaming operator Youwin. Erik Ahlberg will assume the CEO position on the 3rd of April. “After several years with some of the most profitable and well-known brands in the gaming industry, I am very happy and proud to have been given the confidence to lead the continued development of ahaWorld. Our challenge is to create positive growth over time, and that has always been my main focus. I see many possibilities for ahaWorld’s products on both existing and new markets. Additionally, the re-regulation of the Swedish gambling market will give added trust to new licensees, which in turn will generate great potential for customer acquisition. That is an area where we will take a clear position,” says Erik Ahlberg, incoming CEO of ahaWorld AB. “We are very pleased with this appointment. Erik’s skills and experience within practical and strategic marketing of online gaming brands suits us perfectly in our continued efforts to strengthen our products, after a year that was mainly characterized by technical development and improvement of our portfolio. His background from a publicly listed environment is an additional factor which we believe will ensure that his focus will be on creating business growth which goes hand in hand with strong shareholder value. We look forward to a very exciting future under Erik’s leadership,” says Staffan Lindgren, board chairman of ahaWorld AB.