Foster Wheeler announces senior appointments
10 Jan 2011
London – Foster Wheeler AG has announced three executive promotions in its global engineering and construction (E&C) group.
Roberto Penno, previously MD, global sales and marketing, has been named CEO of FW’s Asia Pacific operating unit, based in Singapore.
Chris Brown, previously senior VP of operations for Foster Wheeler USA, has been named MD, global sales and marketing, based in Reading, UK.
Filippo Abba’, currently acting as project executive for a very large refinery and petrochemical project that FW is executing in Singapore, has been named MD of operations for Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd, based in Reading.
In his new position, he will work closely with the CEO of that unit, Troy Roder. Abba’ will assume his new duties upon completion of his current assignment in early 2011.
Penno has been with Foster Wheeler for 22 years. During his career, he has held increasingly senior roles in operating unit management, sales and commercial management in Europe, Asia and the U.S. - including a previous assignment as Director of Commercial Operations, Foster Wheeler Asia Pacific. He holds a doctorate degree in mechanical engineering from Politecnico di Milano in Italy.
Brown, who has more than 20 years of industry experience, joined Foster Wheeler USA in 2009 as Senior Vice President of Operations, after previously serving as President of Canadian Operations for KBR.
During his career, he has lived and worked in Canada, Europe, the United States, Africa and the Middle East. He holds an MBA degree from Henley Management College (United Kingdom) and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Hull (United Kingdom). He is a Professional Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Plant Engineers.
Abba’ joined Foster Wheeler Italiana in 1991 and during his career has covered a variety of positions with growing responsibilities. He served as Director of Engineering in 2003 after several years spent at construction sites in the Middle East and Europe. In 2005, he was named Director of Projects and Project Management Department Head.
In 2008 he was promoted to Director of Contract Operations for Foster Wheeler Asia Pacific. He holds a doctorate degree in mechanical engineering from Politecnico di Milano in Italy.
