ABS Appoints New Chief Technology Officer

(Houston) ABS, the leading provider of classification services to the global marine and offshore industries, announces the appointment of Howard Fireman to the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in a move that strengthens alignment and generates further synergies across all of ABS' technical programs.

Fireman, who will report to ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki, assumes this role following former Senior Vice President and CTO Todd Grove's appointment as ABS Group President and CEO.

Technology continues to be a core element of the ABS mission of protecting life, assets and the environment. Fireman's appointment further strengthens the ABS commitment to technology and innovation needed to support our members and clients.

Fireman joined ABS in 2013 following a 35-year career with the US Navy, where he was recognized as a technical leader in ship design, total cost of ownership, systems engineering, design integration, research and development and operational support. He also served as Chief Naval Architect and Director of Surface Ship Design and Systems Engineering.

Fireman holds a BSE and MSE in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the University of Michigan and has a Master's degree in Technical Management from Johns Hopkins University.

"ABS continues to lead the industry in advancing the application of technology to meet today's marine and offshore challenges while anticipating those on the horizon," ABS Chairman and CEO Chris Wiernicki said. "Howard's strong technical experience will be important to continue our long history of innovation and drive our global research and development agenda."

This appointment is effective 20 April.

Founded in 1862, ABS is a leading international classification society devoted to promoting the security of life, property and the marine environment through the development and verification of standards for the design, construction and operational maintenance of marine-related facilities.