Travis Leonard joins Lockton's Global Leadership Team as Chief Financial Officer

KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockton is pleased to announce that Travis Leonard has joined the firm as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), succeeding Troy Cook who has occupied the role since 2020. Cook will transition to the role of Corporate Development as an advisor to Ron Lockton, Chairman and CEO.

Leonard is a highly regarded and deeply qualified finance executive with experience working in global markets. He will begin serving as Lockton's CFO on July 8, 2024, and will work closely with Cook to execute a transition of duties and an in-depth onboarding process.

"We are excited Travis is joining Lockton's global leadership team," said Ron Lockton, Chairman and CEO. "He brings a wealth of financial experience, a global perspective and great energy to support the future growth of Lockton."

Leonard has worked across various industry segments and global markets, excelling in financial leadership roles and leading significant transformation projects. Most recently, Leonard was the CFO of Hostess Brands, until the sale to J.M. Smucker Co. in November 2023. Prior to that, Travis was the CFO of the medical segment at Cardinal Health and held financial leadership roles at Kraft Foods, including time in Brazil, and Cargill after beginning his career at Arthur Andersen as a finance and economic consultant.

Travis was raised in the Kansas City metropolitan area and went on to attend the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign where he earned his BS in Finance followed by earning his MBA at Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management.

Cook will remain on the Lockton, Inc. board of directors and will move into the role of EVP of Corporate Development, reporting to Ron Lockton, Chairman and CEO. In this role, Troy will actively assist in the transition of duties and onboarding of Travis while partnering with leadership on global development opportunities and playing an advisory role to the CEO.

"I am grateful for Troy's commitment and leadership as CFO during a very important growth period for the company," said Lockton. "When Troy transitioned from the role of independent board member to CFO in 2020, it was planned to be a 5-year term. He has helped position Lockton for strong, sustained growth and will continue to have a positive impact on Lockton through this planned transition and leadership in corporate development."

Lockton, Inc. is excited to welcome Travis Leonard to the team and looks forward to the contributions he will make to the company's future growth and success.

About Lockton

What makes Lockton stand apart is also what makes us better: independence. Lockton's private ownership empowers its 11,700+ Associates doing business in over 140 countries to focus solely on clients' risk, insurance and people needs. With expertise that reaches around the globe, Lockton delivers the deep understanding needed to accomplish remarkable results. For more information, visit www.lockton.com 

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Travis Leonard joins Lockton's Global Leadership Team as Chief Financial Officer

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --The Literature, Publishing & Translation Commission, part of the Saudi Ministry of Culture, has revealed that the Riyadh Book Fair 2024 is its largest edition yet, featuring a diverse range of translated international books. With more than 2,000 local, Arab, and international publishers participating, the Fair has strengthened its position as a leading cultural event in the Arab world. This year's edition promotes Saudi Arabia's cultural openness and supports the spread of cross-border knowledge.

The 2024 Fair edition stands out for hosting renowned thinkers, intellectuals, and global figures in literature, art, and knowledge who share their insights and success stories with the public. Among the key speakers are Fareed Zakaria, acclaimed media personality and author; Walter Isaacson, world-renowned biographer; poet and writer Kwame Alexander; and acclaimed novelist Jonathan Franzen. The Fair also features prominent literary and artistic figures from the Middle East.

Dr Mohammed Hasan Alwan, CEO of the Literature, Publishing & Translation Commission, emphasised the significance of the Fair, stating: "The Riyadh International Book Fair is not only one of the most important book fairs in the Arab region but also a premier platform for publishers and authors to expand their reach in the Arab cultural market. This year's edition is especially notable for its focus on cultural diversity and translation, with an exceptional programme featuring some of the world's leading intellectuals."

During his visit, His Excellency Chang Hua, the Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, expressed admiration for the Saudi public's enthusiasm for reading. CNN's Fareed Zakaria praised the Kingdom's remarkable transformation and its growing global influence.

This year also marks the return of the popular "Riyadh Reads French" initiative, featuring several French publishers. Al-Saeed Ezz, Communication Officer at the French Embassy, noted that this year's programme has expanded to include children's activities and free French language courses in collaboration with the French Cultural Institute, bringing French culture closer to Saudi visitors.

The Riyadh International Book Fair plays a key role in supporting Saudi Vision 2030's cultural goals, contributing to the Kingdom's cultural economy, projected to reach $9.3 billion. Attracting over one million visitors annually, it ranks among the highest-selling book fairs in the Arab world.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Riyadh International Book Fair 2024: Expanding Global Dialogue through the Largest Collection of Translated Works