Antonio Cristofanelli, Italian, was born in Belgium in 1956 and after having completed his Economics studies he held various positions within the Exports and Logistics areas. He became part of the Gearbulk organisation in 1986.

Antonio has worked internationally for most of his career. He has built an international network of relationships within the industry and he enjoys developing new approaches through sharing his knowledge and experience and learning from others.

His experiences accrued in the Supply Chain, Shipping and Marketing Management are key factors in driving his commitment to developing the skills that are needed for the future and to contribute to IFPTA as a candidate Director.

He has been a member of the IFPTA since 1986.

Einar Didriksen joined Star Shipping in 1984 and has held several positions within chartering and operations at the head office in Norway, as well as locations abroad.

On the demerger of Star Shipping at the end of 2008, Einar Didriksen was appointment Executive Vice President of Westfal-Larsen Shipping AS.

He holds a college degree in transportation economics.

Einar has been a member of the IFPTA since 1998. He served as a Regional Director from 1998-1999.

Louis Kanters graduated from Harbour and Transport College in 1985. After his military duties he joined the commercial department from Seaport Terminals Rotterdam. One of the companies dedicated markets was the forest products industry. He left Seaport as commercial manager Forest Products in 1995 and continued his career as Managing Director of a bulk terminal in Amsterdam.

Since 1999 he has been with Fr. Meyer’s Sohn. Initially, he started as branch manager of Rotterdam and was promoted to managing director in 2002. In this role he is responsible for the all related activities within the group for import of forestry products into North Europe and United Kingdom.

Louis joined the IFPTA in 1992. Serving his secon term as a Director, Louis was first elected to the Board of Directors in 2005.

Kenny Pettersson began his career as apprentice in the forwarding and shipping business in the late sixties.

In 1970, he joined Svea Line (Syd) AB, where he worked on the Helsingborg Liner/Container service from South Sweden/Denmark to UK Felixstowe and Middlesbrough.

Kenny served in the Swedish Air Force from 1972-1973.

In 1974, he accepted a position with the Worldwide Container Service in the operation department of Seatrain Lines AB in Helsingborg; which was the head office for Scandinavia.

He left Seatrain in 1980 and took a position with Gorthon Lines in the operation and traffic department. Since joining Gorthon, he has held a variety of positions and now serves as the Vice President of Marketing USEC/Canada/Caribbean.

He joined the IFPTA in 1990.

Karen Shanahan serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer as well as Director of Gillespie-Munro Inc. and Gillship Navigation (NVOCC division of Gillespie-Munro Inc.).

Her main responsibilities include the charter brokering of breakbulk cargoes, as well as overseeing management of all key accounts. She is also responsible for the personnel in the Montreal office.

Karen has been a member of the IFPTA since 1999. Serving her second term as a Director, she was first elected to the Board of Directors in 2005.