Purfresh, a market leader of ocean transport and supply chain management technologies, has appointed Dr Brian Westcott as president and chief executive officer.
With more than 25 year's experience in operations, strategic management, and corporate development for both Fortune 500 and early stage companies, Westcott will be charged with growing the company and developing its leadership position.
Westcott succeeds David Cope, who will chair the company’s scientific advisory board.
“Purfresh is an industry disrupter, helping growers and shippers alike use the transformative powers of technology to change an age-old industry,” Westcott said in a media statement. “With a narrowed focus upon our Purfresh Transport technology, I’m excited to join an impressive team, along with worldwide recognised solutions and partners, operating the most innovative company in the space.”
According to the media statement, Westcott’s career has straddled both the business and academic worlds. He has published and lectured in the areas of leadership, business policy, technology strategy, company change programmes, product development, and operations management. His case studies on technology management are published through Harvard Business School and the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
“Brian’s breadth of experience and execution skills make him the right leader at the right time for Purfresh as the Company enters its next phase of growth,” said Dr Fred Grauer, chair of the board of directors for Purfresh. “Brian’s appointment plays a pivotal role in our ability to meet the rapidly increasing global demand for Purfresh services.”
Westcott’s career began at General Electric more than 25 years ago. Before joining Purfresh he held senior positions for JDS Uniphase, Inogen, and AT Kearney. He was also the first postdoctoral fellow at Stanford Graduate School of Business, earned a PhD in management science and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, and holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Lehigh University. Westcott has also been recognized as a Hero of US Manufacturing by Fortune Magazine and was the chief executive officer and founder of Westt, ranked the 34th fastest growing company in America by Inc Magazine.
