Senior Management Team

Descartes' management team is comprised of experienced logistics operators that specialize in operations, technology, marketing and sales. The team has deep domain expertise in logistics and distribution and can use first hand experiences to address the challenges our customers face. The team is committed to building and managing a world-class organization focused on serving and delivering results for our shareholders and customers.

 

Arthur Mesher

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

As Chairman of the Board, Art manages the Board of Directors' execution of its mandate to oversee the management of the Corporation and provide strategic direction. As Chief Executive Officer, Art oversees the Company's executive management team, directs Descartes' investor relations activities and provides strategic guidance to Descartes' merger and acquisition activities.

In 1998, Mr. Mesher joined Descartes where he led the creation of the first on-demand logistics network that provides application and communication capabilities for all three major modes of transportation: truck, air and ocean. In his role as EVP Strategic Development, Mr. Mesher helped implement success-based pricing and logistics innovation services, enabling the acceleration of value for Descartes customers. In May 2004, Mr. Mesher was appointed to Descartes' Office of the CEO and subsequently appointed CEO in November 2004. In 2006, under Mr. Mesher’s guidance, Descartes was awarded the International Stevie Award for the “Best Business Turnaround" in The International Business Awards awarded to companies that showed a significant operational and financial improvement during 2006 over 2005 as well was recognized as The Best Canadian Company by Canadian Business Magazine.

As a thought-leader, innovator and business developer in the supply chain field, Mr. Mesher is a frequent keynote speaker at industry events and at academic institutions such as MIT, Penn State and Northwestern and the author of numerous articles and white papers.

Notably and most recently, Mr. Mesher was selected as the 2008 Council of Supply Chain Management Professional’s (CSCMP) 2008 Distinguished Service Award recipient. The CSCMP Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to the art and science of supply chain and logistics management. This award is considered by supply chain management professionals throughout the world as the highest honor bestowed upon an individual.

 

J. Scott Pagan

Chief Corporate Officer and Corporate Secretary

As Chief Corporate Officer, Scott oversees Descartes' corporate operations. This includes Descartes' Research & Development activities, Global Logistics Network service delivery, corporate development initiatives, corporate communication strategies, and legal and administrative functions. As Corporate Secretary, Scott supports the Board of Directors and its committees in Descartes' governance and strategic direction.

Prior to joining Descartes in May 2000, Scott worked in a private law practice in Southern Ontario, where he specialized in corporate and intellectual property law. Scott was a finalist in the Lexpert 2006 Top Lawyers and General Counsel under 40 and in the 2011 Canadian General Counsel Awards Business Achievement category.

 

Edward J. Ryan

Chief Commercial Officer

As Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Ryan is responsible for guiding Descartes' customer facing operations. He oversees and manages sales, marketing, product management, alliances, services, customer activations and business development worldwide for all Descartes offerings and solutions.

As part of the Descartes team since 2000, his keen understanding of logistics has played a key role in the expansion of Descartes’ network, helping the Company to connect over 6,000 connected trading partners worldwide and increasing transaction volumes by more than 70% over the past few years.

Prior to joining Descartes, Ed directed the global Marketing and Field operations areas for E-Transport and, as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, successfully grew the business from its early start-up days to the successful ocean rate management firm acquired by Descartes in 2000.

 

Stephanie Ratza, C.A.

Chief Financial Officer

As Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Stephanie Ratza is responsible for Descartes' worldwide financial and administrative functions.

Ms. Ratza brings more than 13 years of finance experience with public technology companies to Descartes. Since November 2005, Ms. Ratza had served as CFO of IPICO Inc., a Burlington, Ontario-based company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions. Her other public company finance experience includes over 6 years at Waterloo, Ontario-based MKS Inc., serving as Vice-President, Finance for 5 years and as Director of Finance for 1 year, and as Controller for more than 3 years at Open Text Corporation.

 

Raimond Diederik

Executive Vice President, Information Services

As Executive Vice President, Information Services, Raimond Diederik is responsible for Research and Development, Customer Support, IT Operations and Data Management solutions for Descartes.

Raimond has over 20 years of experience managing logistic information systems, and has played a key role at Descartes since joining the organization in 1993.  Prior to Descartes, Raimond worked as an Infrastructure Consultant with the Research & Development group of P&O Nedlloyd’s Information Technology Division.

 

Chris Jones

Executive Vice President, Marketing and Services

As Executive Vice President, Marketing and Services, Chris Jones is primarily responsible for Descartes marketing activities and professional services for Descartes' solutions.

With over 20 years of experience in the supply chain market, Chris has held a variety of senior management positions including: Senior Vice President at The Aberdeen Group's Value Chain Research division, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Development for SynQuest and Vice President and Research Director for Enterprise Resource Planning Solutions at The Gartner Group.