Holland America Line president
leads prestigious Fortune 1000 and Global 500 senior executive
leadership organization
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2017 /CNW/ -- Orlando D. Ashford, president of Holland America
Line in Seattle, Wash., has been
elected chair of The Executive Leadership Council (ELC), the
pre-eminent national organization composed of current and former
black CEOs, senior executives, entrepreneurs, global thought
leaders and board members of Fortune 1000 and equivalent companies.
The focus of the organization is the development of a pipeline of
global black executives for C-suites, corporate boards and global
enterprises to leverage the full power of diversity and inclusion.
Ashford's term as chair extends through Dec.
31, 2018.
"After serving on the board of The ELC for many years, most
recently as vice chair, I am honored and eager to join the new
slate of board directors in serving ELC members and significantly
expanding our reach and impact," Ashford said. "For 30 years The
ELC has worked tirelessly to build a strong channel of global black
leaders. As we extend our influence to black leaders globally, we
look forward to welcoming new thinking and ideas that will help us
increase the representation of men and women of color in leadership
roles worldwide."
Ashford succeeds Rhonda R. Mims,
senior vice president and chief public affairs officer of WellCare
Health Plans Inc., who served as ELC board chair in 2016.
"Rhonda served The ELC successfully and faithfully during a year
of transition as The ELC celebrated its 30th anniversary and
prepared for the future," added Ashford.
As Holland America Line president, Ashford oversees sales,
marketing, revenue management, deployment, itinerary planning,
public relations, hotel operations and strategy. Before joining
Holland America Line, he was president of the Talent Business
Segment of global consulting firm Mercer. Previously, he was senior
vice president, chief human resources and communications officer of
Mercer's parent, Marsh & McLennan Companies. He also held
executive positions at The Coca-Cola Co. and Motorola Inc.
"Orlando has demonstrated leadership and marketing savvy as
president of Holland America Line, a premium brand in Carnival
Corporation's portfolio of 10 world-leading cruise lines," said
Arnold Donald, chief executive
officer of Carnival Corporation. "Orlando brings tremendous talent
and creativity to The ELC at a time when the membership under his
leadership can chart a course of certainty through our world of
constant change."
In addition to being a transformational leader, Ashford also is
an accomplished author. His recent book, "Talentism," examines how
technology and human networks can bridge skills gaps, enhance
business performance and improve society. He is on the board of ITT
Corp. and Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) Seattle Chapter. Ashford
holds bachelor's and master's degrees in organizational leadership
and industrial technology from Purdue
University.
"Orlando has been a dedicated leader in his service to The ELC,"
said Ronald C. Parker, president and
CEO of The Executive Leadership Council. "As chair of the council
board of directors, Orlando will raise the profile and impact of
The ELC on the issues, challenges and opportunities most important
to our members and key stakeholders."
The executive committee of The Executive Leadership Council
board of directors includes Donna M.
Wilson of Johnson & Johnson, vice chair; Jeffrey G. Webster of Exxon Mobil Corporation,
secretary; and Gregory E. Deavens of
MassMutual Financial Group, treasurer. ELC board directors include
Crystal E. Ashby, Chloe Barzey, Leilani M.
Brown, Julia M. Brown,
Billy Dexter, Linda D. Forte, Arlene
Isaacs-Lowe, Tonie
Leatherberry, Valerie D.
Lewis, Larry Quinlan,
Kenneth B. Robinson, Sharon C. Taylor and Geri P. Thomas.
Editor's note: Photos of Orlando Ashford available at
https://www.cruiseimagelibrary.com/c/s71pm42z.
About The Executive Leadership Council:
The Executive
Leadership Council, an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation
founded in 1986, is the pre-eminent membership organization
committed to increasing the number of global black executives in
C-Suites, on corporate boards and in global enterprises. Comprised
of more than 600 current and former black CEOs, board members and
senior executives at Fortune 1000 and Global 500 companies, and
entrepreneurs at top-tier firms, its members work to build an
inclusive business leadership pipeline that empowers global black
leaders to make impactful contributions to the marketplace and the
global communities they serve. For more information, please visit
elcinfo.com.
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival
Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]:
Holland
America Line's fleet of 14 ships
offers more than 500 cruises to more than 400 ports in 98
countries, territories or dependencies around the world. From
shorter getaways to 113-day itineraries, the company's cruises
visit all seven continents with highlights including Antarctica explorations, South America circumnavigations and exotic
Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; four annual Grand Voyages; and
popular sailings to the Caribbean,
Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Bermuda, Europe and the Panama Canal. The line
currently has a new 2,650-guest ship, ms Koningsdam,
delivered in April 2016, as well as a
second Pinnacle-Class ship, ms Nieuw Statendam, due for
delivery in November 2018.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Michael
Dutton, The Executive Leadership Council, (703) 706-5203 or
mdutton@elcinfo.com
Sally Andrews, Holland America Line,
(206) 626-9890 or pr@hollandamerica.com
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visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/orlando-ashford-named-chair-of-the-executive-leadership-council-300389022.html
SOURCE Holland America Line