World Kinect names Ira Birns as CEO effective January 2026

World Kinect Corporation (NYSE: WKC) announced executive leadership changes effective January 1, 2026. The Board of Directors appointed Ira M. Birns as Chief Executive Officer and board member, succeeding Michael Kasbar, who will transition to Executive Chairman.

John Rau, currently Chief Operating Officer, was promoted to President and will continue overseeing global commercial operations. Mike Tejada, Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective after the company files its quarterly report for the period ending September 30, 2025.

Birns has worked at World Kinect for more than a decade and was named President in April 2025 while continuing as Chief Financial Officer. He previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

"I am honored to be appointed CEO and join the Board at such a pivotal moment in World Kinect's journey," Birns stated in the company announcement.

Rau joined World Kinect in 2011 and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in April 2025. "As President, my focus will be to continue driving operational excellence and efficiency gains while advancing our commercial strategy for long-term value creation," Rau said.

Tejada has held multiple finance leadership roles since joining World Kinect. "World Kinect has built a reputation for financial discipline, transparency, and strong performance," Tejada said. "I look forward to continuing that tradition."

World Kinect is a Miami-based global energy management company serving aviation, marine, and land-based transportation sectors, along with natural gas and power supply in the United States and Europe.

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