DHL Supply Chain North America and GXO each announce executive leadership changes

A pair of well-known third-party logistics (3PL) service providers each recently respectively announced changes at the CEO level.

Bonn, Germany-based DHL said that Mark Kunar, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Strategy Officer, for DHL Supply Chain North America, has been promoted to CEO, effective June 20, replacing Patrick Kelleher, whom stepped down from the position, adding that Kunar will report to Oscar de Bok, DHL Supply Chain CEO.

Kunar joined DHL Supply Chain in 1996 as a Financial Analyst and has been with the company for nearly 30 years in various roles, including operational, finance, commercial and functional management positions. In his role as Chief Financial Officer & Chief Strategy Officer, for DHL Supply Chain North America, he was responsible for the development and implementation of the North America strategy to facilitate growth of products and sectors in the region, according to the company, and under his leadership, the region has developed and executed against the core tenets of DHL’s Strategy 2030.  And DHL said he has also played a pivotal role in the company’s recent acquisitions in the North American market, including the recent acquisition of Inmar Supply Chain Solutions, a leading returns solutions provider, CRYOPDP, a leading specialty pharma courier and IDS Fulfillment, an e-commerce provider.   

“I am pleased to announce Mark Kunar as the new CEO of DHL Supply Chain North America,” said Oscar de Bok, CEO of DHL Supply Chain. “Mark’s broad supply chain and management expertise, paired with his proven commercial acumen and his balanced leadership style makes him the ideal candidate to take our business into the future in this key market. His leadership will be instrumental in guiding DHL Supply Chain North America as we continue to focus on excellence and innovation in our operations. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Patrick for his leadership over the years.”

Evan Armstrong, president of supply chain consultancy Armstrong & Associates told LM that Kunar’s promotion to CEO is a positive.

“Mark has grown through the ranks at DHL Supply Chain and should oversee its operations well,” he said. “Nowadays, it is refreshing to see an internal candidate get the nod for the top job at a large 3PL.”

GXO taps Kelleher: While Kelleher left his role as CEO of DHL Supply Chain North America, he won’t be idle for long, as Greenwich, Conn.-based global contract logistics services provider GXO Logistics Inc. recently announced he will assume the role as the company’s CEO, effective August 19, replacing Malcom Wilson, whom informed the company’s board of directors late last year that he would retire from his position in 2025.

Kelleher has 33 years of global supply chain experience, strategic leadership and operational excellence to GXO, having held senior executive roles at DHL Supply Chain, a division of Deutsche Post DHL Group, most recently, as CEO, North America, where he oversaw significant growth and operational improvements across the business, noted GXO.

And GXO added Kelleher has expertise across many key verticals, including consumer goods, healthcare, technology, ecommerce, and manufacturing and has also led strategic initiatives across transportation, supply chain planning, engineered solutions, and automation. What’s more, the company added that Kelleher has a distinguished track record of operational excellence, with a metrics-driven leadership style rooted in execution and innovation and has been at the forefront of DHL’s deployment of advanced robotics, including the Boston Dynamics Stretch Robot since 2023, and oversaw four M&A transactions in the past year.

“Patrick is a world-class operator with the relevant experience to lead GXO through its next phase of growth,” said Brad Jacobs, chairman of GXO’s board of directors. “His proven track record and deep expertise in engineered solutions, automation, and cutting-edge contract logistics make him uniquely qualified to drive value for our customers and shareholders. We’re thrilled to welcome him as our new CEO.”