DHL, the worlds leading express delivery and logistics company, today announced the creation of its new office of Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Management for DHL in the Americas. The company has appointed Dan Ludwig as Senior Vice President to oversee the new area effective immediately.

In his new role, Ludwig will be responsible for providing corporate leadership, strategy and execution for the DHL response to major disaster events in the Americas. The DHL Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Management office will coordinate all DHL emergency management efforts throughout the Americas region and across business units.

Building on DHLs emergency management capabilities will help minimize the impact on our customers, our business, and our employees, said John Mullen, Chief Executive Officer for DHL Express Americas. Dans experience managing projects of large scope will help formalize emergency planning and response process for DHL, and to ensure we can deliver on our commitments to our customers and the communities throughout the Americas in which we work.

Ludwig has more than 18 years experience in the transportation and logistics industry, including logistics operations management and lead management for major strategic change projects. Prior to the acquisition of the Exel logistics company in 2005 by Deutsche Post World Net, DHLs parent company, Ludwig held senior positions with Exel in the areas of Freight Management, Financial Management and Supply Chain Services.

The breadth of DHL services, the skills of our people and our commitment to providing superior customer service form the basis of our expertise in the area of disaster preparedness and management, said Ludwig. We aspire to lead the industry in this practice. DHL will be the first choice for customers who are looking for performance and confidence in the continuity and consistency of our services, Ludwig added.

Ludwig will lead a team responsible for providing direction and support across business units for DHL planning, preparation and response to all emergencies, including natural disasters. He will work closely with government organizations and DHL partners, including the United Nations and local civil entities, on emergency planning and response.

DHL has also recently announced the creation of the DHL Disaster Response Team (DRT) Americas, which will provide logistical support to help governments organize the handling, warehousing and loading of relief goods for onward transportation, ensuring that relief goods will quickly reach victims of major sudden-onset natural disasters. The DHL DRT Americas has been established as part of a worldwide network of Disaster Response Teams to support the United Nations and the international communitys humanitarian relief efforts. The DRTs are the first initiative to result from a strategic partnership between DHL, its parent company Deutsche Post World Net, and the UN System in the area of disaster management. With a primary focus on Latin America and the Caribbean, the DHL DRT Americas will also serve the southern United States, as needed. Ludwigs office will maintain regional oversight for the group and coordinate all deployments.

In his new capacity, Ludwig will report directly to Scott Northcutt, Executive Vice President of Human Resources for DHL. Ludwig will be based at the DHL Americas corporate headquarters in Plantation, Florida.

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DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specializing in providing innovative and customized solutions from a single source. DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport, and contract logistic solutions as well as international mail services, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. DHL's international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide with over 285,000 employees dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers' expectations.