Clifford K. Otto, chief executive officer of Saddle Creek Logistics Services, Lakeland, FL., was elected the 2017-18 Chairman of the International Warehouse Logistics Association.

He became Chairman at the 2017 IWLA Convention & Expo in March held in Palm Springs, CA. He previously served as the association’s Vice Chairman and as Chairman of the 2017 IWLA Convention Planning Committee.

He succeeds Mark DeFabis, who is CEO of Integrated Distribution Services, Inc., Plainfield, IN, and who now becomes IWLA Immediate Past Chairman.and will continue to serve as a member of the IWLA Executive Committee.

Before joining Saddle Creek in 2001, Otto was with CHEP USA since its founding in 1990, eventually becoming senior vice president for North American sales. Prior to that he served in executive positions in logistics and finance with Baxter Healthcare and American Can Company.

Otto has held leadership posts with grocery industry associations, the Warehouse Education and Research Council and Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.

Also elected to be board officers of IWLA are:

• Frank Anderson, vice president of RBW Logistics, in Augusta, Ga., as Vice Chairman And Chairman-Elect. He previously served as IWLA Treasurer.
• Brett Mears, president of Palmer Logistics, based in Houston, moves to Treasurer from board Secretary.
• Leslie Ajlouny, vice president of business development for Evans Distribution Systems, headquartered in Melvindale, MI, was elected to serve as the new IWLA board Secretary.