Giorgio Laccona Joins Walker SCM as COO
Veteran industry executive and renowned airfreight pundit enters partnership, agrees to merge GOAL with Walker.
NEW YORK – Walker Supply Chain Management, a minority-certified global transportation and logistics firm, is pleased to announce the addition of former AEI and IJS executive Giorgio Laccona as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and partner. In his new role, Mr. Laccona will bear responsibility for day-to-day operations, lead procurement and strategic planning, and help guide the organization’s future expansion. A 37-year veteran of the logistics industry, Mr. Laccona is well-known and widely cited for his insights on the future of global airfreight and international transportation. As part of his appointment, Walker SCM will acquire Global Ocean Airfreight Logistics (GOAL), the company Mr. Laccona launched in 2011.
“Giorgio and I have known each other for many years,” commented Emmett Walker, CEO of Walker SCM, which will celebrate 25 years in business in 2014. “Throughout the industry, Giorgio is regarded as a visionary, and as someone who, in previous roles, helped to build world-class organizations. After completing several successful projects with GOAL, we’ve agreed that the timing is perfect to merge GOAL into Walker and add Giorgio to our leadership team.”
“I’ve worked closely with Emmett and his team for the past two years,” Mr. Laccona added. “I’m excited to officially join Walker – a growing organization with a can-do attitude and a strong focus on service, where customers and employees come first. By joining forces, I know we will achieve our goals, which include developing the international side of our business, expanding our footprint in the U.S., and better supporting our overseas partners. I look forward to kick-starting a major expansion for Walker and helping the company reach the next level.”
Giorgio Laccona began his career in freight forwarding in 1976, when he joined the former Air Express International (AEI) Corp. During his 24-year tenure with AEI, he rose to the post of Senior Vice President for the Americas. In 2000, when Deutsche Post World acquired AEI, Mr. Laccona remained as President and CEO for the Americas of the newly formed Danzas AEI Intercontinental. In 2001, he joined Eagle Global Logistics as COO for International Operations, then became CEO of North America for the Italian forwarder Savino Del Bene. From 2006 through 2010, Mr. Laccona was instrumental in the launch of IJS Global, serving as its Chairman and CEO, before leaving in 2011 to launch GOAL.