IFPTA - OFFICERSROBERT B. DAVIDSON, PRESIDENT
Leaving for a new opportunity with CellMark led to more experience with pulp from Sweden, Finland and Brazil. In 1996 Bob founded his own firm, Atlantic Cellulose, specializing in import and sales of softwood pulp from Sweden and eucalyptus pulp from Brazil, holding the exclusive sales agency for VCP (Votorantim Celulose e Papel) until its merger with Aracruz in 2009. Following a short stay with ITOCHU, managing pulp sales of Brazil’s CENIBRA to North America, Bob joined Eldorado Brasil in April of 2012 as General Manager, North America until December, 2022 when he returned to his agency roots with Atlantic Cellulose, LLC, providing commercial services to pulp manufacturers. Bob has a BA in Marketing and served as a pilot in the US Air Force prior to finding a home in the pulp business. TOM MUTZ, SECRETARY/TREASURER
After leaving Airborne, Tom worked for a few other global freight forwarders such as BAX Global, Exel, and then once again working directly for Mitsui & Co. Ltd., before joining PENN Warehousing & Distribution, Inc. in 2009. He has been a member of IFPTA since 2010 and was appointed Secretary/Treasurer in 2017. Born and raised in New York City and Long Island, Tom openly suggests his greatest accomplishments are his marriage to his wife Kathy for 41 years, and their three children. He is a graduate of West Virginia University with degrees in Biology and Business Administration. IFPTA - DIRECTORSGUSTAVO BERMUDEZ
Gustavo began his career in the forest products industry in 2012 with Fibria Celulose in Miami, Florida. Working as a Logistics Analyst, he was responsible for the supply chain management of Fibria’s sales to Proctor & Gamble, Kimberly-Clark, and Georgia Pacific. In 2017, Gustavo was promoted to Logistics and Planning Coordinator and transferred to Hong Kong. He assumed responsibility of that sector for Fibria Celulose, Asia, and managed vessel shipments from Brazil to eight ports across Asia. Gustavo holds a Bachelor of Sales Management Degree from Purdue University. He joined IFPTA in 2020. FLAVIO DA ROCHA COSTA
Flavio began his career in the 1990s, and for 27 years has worked in large multinational companies such as JBS S.A., Schwan's do Brasil and Fast & Food Distributor (specialized in serving franchise chains), holding executive positions and acquiring experience in the areas of supply chain management, national and international logistics, transport, production planning and control, budgeting and controlling, and people and team development. JUAN CARLOS CRUZAT
Juan Carlos began his career in logistics in December 2011 at Ultramar, a logistics provider based in Santiago, Chile. Prior to that, he worked for Terminal Puero Rosario in Argentina as head of the container terminal, along with working on various development projects for the port. Juan Carlos continued his career at Sitrans and Randu (fruits and vegetable) in various roles related to port management, warehousing, and inland logistics throughout Chile and Argentina before joining CMPC in 2022. Juan’s main strengths come from his working experience at many different points along the supply chain as a shipper, inland logistics provider and port operator. Juan graduated as an Industrial Engineer from Universidad de los Andes in Santiago, Chile. LARS GOTTSCHENKIS
In 2000, Lars decided to leave J. Müller and continued his career at Stora Enso in Hamburg, where he was responsible for the pulp coordination on the EU Continent as well as for deliveries from Brazil to Europe. The serious sickness of his father brought him back to J. Müller in 2008, where he took a position in the Sales Office for Agriculture goods. In 2015, Lars was appointed to a position within J. Müller’s Sales Team for Pulp & Paper, and in 2021 he became Senior Sales Manager Pulp & Paper, where he was involved in the total supply chain. Currently, Lars holds the position of Managing Director at NORD-OSTSEE Schiffahrtsges. mbH in Bremen, Germany — a position he was appointed to in April 2023. Lars holds a degree in State-Certified Business Economist Logistics. He joined IFPTA in 2015. SILVIA KRUGER PELA
Silvia has 18 years of experience in the pulp sector. She began her career at Votorantim Celulose e Papel with a background in supply chain. She has been able to lead different areas such as strategic sourcing, logistics projects, and logistics operations. Of note, Silvia participated in the merger process between Votorantim Celulose e Papel and Aracruz, which formed Fibria, and then later in the merger process between Fibria and Suzano. Silvia’s main contributions in the logistics and supply chain field are the development of the inland logistic setup for various new pulp mills to Santos Port, the T32 and DPW Terminals in Santos, highly specialized pulp terminals, as well as the long-term contracts in shipping and the global logistics setup for Suzano. Silvia holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Master’s Degree in Business & Management. ANDY POWELL
Andy is based in G2 Ocean's Atlantic Hub in Atlanta, Georgia. He has over twenty-five years of experience in the maritime industry, holding leadership positions within G2 Ocean and its predecessor companies, Star Shipping and Grieg Star. During his career, Andy has worked in locations such as Bergen, Norway; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Vancouver, Canada, before returning to Atlanta in 2010. Andy is a former member of the Trade and Transportation Advisory Council to the Atlanta Branch of the Federal Reserve and serves on the Board of Directors of the West Gulf Maritime Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina. JYRKI RANKI
Jyrki has over 25 years of experience in the Scandinavian forest products industry, beginning his career in 1993 when he joined Metsä Fibre (part of the Metsä Group) as a Logistics Manager. His primary responsibilities included creating and operating centralised maritime and port logistics solutions and organisation in the pulp sector. In 2009, Jyrki was appointed as a Vice President of Metsä Fibre logistics. In addition to the Metsä Group, Jyrki has held positions of leadership such as Chairman of the Board of Directors of stevedoring companies. DANIELA PEREZ SELVAS
With a background in Business Administration and International Trade from Tecnológico de Monterrey, Daniela began her career at IBM before immigrating to Canada in 2008. She has extensive experience working with Class 1 Railroads and Marine Carriers. At Navcor Transportation Services, a 3PL, she held positions of increasing responsibility, overseeing the 3PL operations and optimizing distribution processes for Conifex's lumber mills in Canada and the southern U.S. Additionally, Daniela has worked on rail, intermodal, marine and multimodal distribution solutions for various products, including dangerous goods and over-dimensional cargo. Daniela holds Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) and Canadian Customs Specialist (CCS) certifications. RHODA VOTH
When Saga Welco moved its headquarters from Atlanta to Norway, Rhoda opened their regional office in Savannah, serving as Commercial Manager. In this role she worked to develop and manage contracts of carriage for various commodities including pulp, newsprint, lumber, kaolin clay and wood pellets, originating from North America and going to various worldwide markets. Prior to working in shipping, Rhoda was on faculty at Mercer University, a Management Consultant with Deloitte & Touche, and an Engineer for Goodyear Aerospace. Rhoda holds an MBA from the University of Akron, and an Industrial Engineering degree from Purdue University. Following completion of the required courses for The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS), she became a member, and received the Port Strategy Award for the highest score worldwide on the Port and Terminal Management examination. Recently, she has been promoted to ‘Fellow’ within ICS. Rhoda joined IFPTA in 2013 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2017. |
Bob Davidson began his career in the pulp and paper industry in 1976 with Price & Pierce International selling domestic and imported pulp in the US northeast. Following various promotions and changes in responsibility, he was appointed President in 1987.
Tom Mutz began his transportation and logistics career in January 1980 as a Territory Sales Representative for Airborne Express in New Jersey. After transitioning through several positions in management over 16 years, Tom was selected to be the direct liaison in the Americas for Mitsui & Co. Ltd. At that time, Mitsui was a Joint Venture Partner, and one of Airborne’s largest shareholders.
Gustavo Bermudez became Commercial Director Asia, Euroports upon joining the company in 2020. In this role, he has overseen development of the company’s facilities in Changshu and Gaolan. In addition, he has organized the expansion of Euroports’ added services and new industries throughout Asia.
Flavio da Rocha Costa is General Manager of Logistics and Operations at Eldorado Brasil Cellulose S.A. and Director of the Cellulose Specialized Port Terminal at the Port of Santos, SP. He is globally responsible for managing the areas of Logistics, Transport and Integrated Planning.
Juan Carlos Cruzat is International Logistics Director - Supply Chain at CMPC, a Chilean producer of pulp, paper, tissue and paper products. He is responsible for the international CMPC logistics network and distribution of the pulp and wood products divisions. He also looks after the breakbulk and container shipping contracts, international ports, and inland services distribution in all the markets where CMPC holds a presence
Lars Gottschenkis started his career as a ship agent apprentice 1989 at J. Müller, gaining experience in the pulp, paper and lumber business. In 1995 he moved into the Terminal Operations for J. Müller and in 1997-1998 worked in the ports of Wesel and Emmelsum in Germany.
Silvia Pela is Head of Logistics and Sales & Operational Planning (S&OP) at Suzano Pulp, where she is responsible for the global logistics — end-to-end — and for the and global planning strategy. Prior to her current role, Silvia was responsible for business intelligence, products & marketing and revenue management at Suzano.
Andy Powell is Commercial Director at G2 Ocean.
Jyrki Ranki is Vice President, Maritime Logistics for Metsä Group, a position he has held since 2015.
Daniela Perez is Manager, Marine Transportation Global Supply Chain at Canadian Forest Products (Canfor), where she manages the Marine Transportation team, overseeing the offshore distribution for Canfor’s Canadian Lumber and Pulp portfolio. Having previously managed the Surface Transportation team, Daniela is dedicated to optimizing Canfor’s distribution network, ensuring timely and cost-effective product delivery through collaborative efforts with cross-functional teams.
Rhoda Voth is General Manager for Saga Welco, North America. The company operates a fleet of 52 vessels, designed specifically for carriage of forestry products. Rhoda joined Saga Forest Carriers in 1996 as Claims Manager, and in this role, worked with vessel operations to define corporate guidelines for stowage and protection of forestry products to ensure safe carriage by sea.