World Kinect Corporation Appoints Greg Piper to Board of Directors, Enhancing Leadership with Decades of Energy and Commodities Expertise
World Kinect Corporation (NYSE: WKC), a global energy management and logistics company, announced today that Greg Piper has been appointed to its Board of Directors. This strategic addition to the Board reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team with seasoned industry experts who bring broad operational insight, deep market knowledge, and proven success in energy and commodities sectors.
Michael J. Kasbar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of World Kinect, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment. “We are delighted to welcome Greg to our Board of Directors,” said Kasbar. “Greg is a highly respected executive with decades of leadership in the energy and commodities markets. His operational acumen, strategic vision, and extensive industry relationships will be invaluable as we continue to expand our global footprint and evolve our service offerings.”
A Proven Industry Leader with Broad Experience
Greg Piper brings to World Kinect over 35 years of experience spanning operational leadership, mergers and acquisitions, business development, and strategic consulting across the global energy, commodity, and agriculture industries. His multifaceted background includes executive leadership at both public and private companies, as well as advisory roles to C-suite leaders and institutional investors.
Since 2020, Mr. Piper has served as a senior independent adviser, supporting executive teams, boards of directors, and investment funds with insights on operational efficiency, strategic alignment, and growth execution. His work as a trusted advisor reflects a career built on creating value through transformative business leadership.
From 2014 to 2020, Piper served as Director and Chief Executive Officer of CP Energy, a privately held midstream energy company based in the United States. During his tenure, he led the company’s integrated crude oil and natural gas operations, overseeing purchasing, logistics, marketing, and risk management functions. Under his leadership, CP Energy expanded its market presence, developed new customer relationships, and improved its operational efficiency across a broad network of energy infrastructure assets.
Prior to CP Energy, Mr. Piper held the position of Chief Executive Officer at Gavilon Energy, a private company that specialized in midstream energy operations and refined products marketing. At Gavilon Energy, he led a pivotal corporate restructuring process—successfully spinning off the energy business from parent company Gavilon Group. His leadership culminated in the sale of Gavilon Energy to NGL Energy Partners in 2014, a transaction that demonstrated his ability to guide complex M&A processes and deliver shareholder value.
Before taking on the CEO role at Gavilon Energy, Piper served as Chief Commercial Officer of Gavilon Group. In this capacity, he played a critical role in driving the company’s strategic growth initiatives, including the landmark sale of Gavilon’s global agriculture division to Japanese trading giant Marubeni Corporation in 2013. That transaction marked one of the largest acquisitions in the global agricultural commodities market at the time, further highlighting Piper’s expertise in structuring and executing high-impact deals in capital-intensive industries.
Academic Background and Technical Expertise
Greg Piper’s professional track record is underpinned by a strong academic foundation in engineering and business. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, one of the world’s leading institutions for energy and earth sciences. He also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin, known for producing influential business leaders across the energy, finance, and technology sectors.
His combined technical training and business education have enabled him to bridge the gap between operations and strategy, making him especially effective in complex, asset-heavy industries such as energy, commodities, and agriculture.
Strengthening the Strategic Outlook of World Kinect
World Kinect’s decision to add Greg Piper to its Board of Directors signals a continued focus on strategic growth, operational excellence, and global expansion. The company, formerly known as World Fuel Services Corporation, has evolved in recent years from a fuel distribution enterprise to a broad-based energy solutions provider with services in energy procurement, price risk management, logistics, and sustainability advisory.
In today’s rapidly shifting global energy landscape—characterized by volatile commodity prices, evolving regulatory environments, and the accelerating transition to renewable energy—World Kinect aims to provide comprehensive solutions to meet the changing needs of its customers. The appointment of someone with Piper’s range of expertise reinforces the company’s dedication to staying ahead of market shifts while optimizing internal capabilities.
Piper’s leadership at both entrepreneurial and established companies also aligns well with World Kinect’s hybrid model of organic and acquisition-driven growth. His experience in identifying growth opportunities, evaluating new market segments, and executing strategic divestitures complements World Kinect’s current efforts to diversify its energy solutions portfolio while maintaining strong operational controls.
Broader Implications for Governance and Industry Positioning
In addition to adding operational strength, Greg Piper’s appointment is expected to enhance World Kinect’s corporate governance capabilities. His experience working with boards and senior executives provides him with valuable perspective on enterprise risk, compliance, and shareholder engagement—core pillars of good governance in today’s public company environment.
Furthermore, Piper’s insights into global commodity flows, energy logistics, and supply chain economics will be instrumental as World Kinect navigates the complexities of the modern energy ecosystem. Whether dealing with traditional hydrocarbon markets or emerging sustainable energy platforms, his understanding of market dynamics will help shape the company’s long-term strategy.
By bringing in a director with deep roots in energy trading, infrastructure, and midstream logistics, World Kinect is positioning itself to capitalize on growth opportunities across both legacy and renewable energy domains. Piper’s advisory background also ensures that he can contribute not only as a director but also as a thought partner for the executive team.
