To further strengthen its management and accelerate the strategic development of core business areas, Aker Solutions has decided to adjust its executive management team.

Returning to Aker Solutions from Aker US Inc, Gary Mandel is appointed executive vice president (EVP) of the Process & Construction (P&C) business area. He replaces EVP Jarle Tautra who moves to a similar position in the Energy Development & Services (ED&S) business area. Nils Arne Hatleskog, previously head of ED&S, has unfortunately decided to leave the company.

Jarle Tautra has been part of Aker Solutions' executive management team since 2002 as EVP for the company's P&C business. In this period the business area has been successfully restructured, achieving strong performance with good profitability. Tautra has 25 years of experience from the offshore industry. From 1997, he served as President of Aker Oil & Gas and as EVP of EPC Norway in Aker Maritime ASA. Prior to this, he held various positions in Norsk Hydro ASA.

Gary Mandel has previously been CEO of Aker American Shipping. Prior to this, Mandel served as EVP from 2002 to 2007 for Aker Solutions' former Oil, Gas, Process and Energy business area. Through more than 25 years Mandel has worked within the oil and gas industry, both upstream and downstream. As the new EVP for P&C, Gary Mandel will be based in Houston. Gary will remain Vice Chairman of the board of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard and a Director on the board of American Shipping Company throughout the serving terms. As EVP in Aker Solutions he will continue coordinating Aker ASA Group activities, maintaining executive relationships with key clients and exploring new business opportunities across Aker companies in the US.

Nils Arne Hatleskog has decided to resign to seek opportunities outside Aker Solutions. Hatleskog was appointed EVP for the business area Energy Development last year. He led the successful merger of the two former business areas Field Development and MMO.

The changes will take effect 1 February 2009.

Tags: Aker Solutions