Recently the doors at IATA Cargo seem to be revolving, at least when it comes to air cargo executives.
     A couple of years back Jens Tubbesing departed the CNS presidency almost overnight, and without warning.
     Then Des Vertannes said he was quitting his post as IATA head of cargo, a position this great air cargo pro had called “the job of a lifetime” prior to his departure.
     Now Warren Jones was apparently kicked out of his position as U.S.-based president of IATA Cargo Network Services (CNS).
     Two letters here reveal a glimpse at the most recent dismissal of Jones.
     Actually, CNS’s loss may be TIACA’s gain.
     Warren Jones is a hard worker who doesn’t take no for an answer and frankly has shown over the years that he believes in the impossible.
     Shortly after he assumed the post as cargo development manager at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta Airport, we were standing on a downtown rooftop looking at a Coca Cola sign, and Warren said to me:
     “We will host TIACA ACF and it will break all records.”
     Well some years later, when Atlanta did host the event, it did exactly that, delivering millions into the TIACA coffers.
     “I was in shock when I was told I was out by Glen Hughes,” Warren said.
     “I loved my job.
     “I recall that even my dear Mom was upset and shed some tears.
     “She knew what that CNS job meant to me,” Warren Jones said.

Dear Geoffrey,

     Today, IATA posted the President of CNS position for applications.
     This is only a few months after Warren Jones supposedly stepped down.
     I have learned that Mr. Jones did not step down but was fired for Performance Reasons.
     When I called Mr. Jones to confirm, all he could tell me legally was that yes, that was what he was told, but to this day he has not been told exactly what that meant despite his numerous attempts to find out.
     When investigating further with my other contacts at the CNS Advisory Board, we were told that they also had been completely left in the dark on the issue, with no communication from IATA, and [they] only had received a letter (attached below) from Warren Jones to Tony Tyler asking for an investigation on his dismal.
     We do know Mr. Jones was very successful in his two years at CNS and was well liked in the industry as he had been brought up in it.
     From his days at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to his days at CNS, he made every effort to bring the industry together and create awareness for an industry he truly loved.
     Warren sent me a copy of his letter as a reference in case Tony Tyler wanted to hear from people that mattered in the industry, and not the bean counters of the IATA executive board.
     He did not call or email me.
     Simply put, IATA does not care but for one thing: money.
     I do wish Warren all the best on his new role at TIACA as they are an organization that gets it and truly believes in the role of air cargo.

Name Witheld

Copy of letter Mr. Jones sent to Tony Tyler, IATA Director General & CEO

Dear Mr. Tyler,

     I am writing you in reference to the termination letter I received on June 10, 2015. As the letter states my termination is for Performance Reasons.
     I do not believe that this is reflected in my performance reviews, and in fact the opposite is shown on a consistent basis. I would like to discuss this with you as a matter of urgency, as I fail to understand why I have been terminated when I have met my objectives and targets over the last two years. My recent PAs reflect this along with the recent pay raise and bonus I received on April 1st, 2015.
     During my latest IATA Performance Management Year End review, I was assigned six key objectives that I was rated on, they included:

    •  2014 CNS Budget- Employee rating: Consistently Meets. CNS delivered a net income in 2014 of $1.2 million and where Mr. Hughes’ comments were in agreement as in fact the final financial numbers show a big improvement vs. budget.
   • CNS Annual Conference and Outreach Programs- Employee rating: Consistently Meets
   • For the 2015 CNS Partnership Conference- A revenue budget of $220,000 was set for CNS and in reality, $256,000 was produced along with a record attendance.
   • CNS CASS operations: Partially Meets. While the goal of reduced checks was achieved, issues with the migration in October created challenges that were successfully overcome in the 1st quarter 2015.
   • Deliver e-AWB global penetration of 22 percent and in the U.S. 17 percent. Employee rating: Exceeds. In the U.S., a final of 22 percent e-AWB for the U.S has been achieved.
   • Lead IATA Cargo’s securities and safety goals. Employee Rating: Consistently Meets
   • People Management: Employee Rating: Consistently Meets

     Overall rating, Partially Meets. Manager comments; Overall I think 2014 was a good year, with some noteworthy successes in the CNS Conference and eAWB penetration level. The CASS migration did have some issues that impacted the market but those issues were quickly resolved. The Exec. Board did raise some concerns with regards to how the Advisory Board was managed and I am pleased to see these are being addressed.

     This PA along with my two previous PAs reflected a solid work ethic and because of my efforts, I was awarded a Performance bonus of $2,500.00 and a 3.00 percent merit salary increase on April 1, 2015. This is the 2nd bonus and salary increase I have been awarded as I received the same in 2014.
     I came to CNS in April 2013 full of energy and with a passion for air cargo and was appointed after two previous CNS presidents failed in a four-year period. The first task I was asked to do by PPD GVA was to knit together the CNS team and to work on the cargo agenda provided to me by IATA. Additionally my role at CNS is to work with the U.S. air cargo industry on key issues and to communicate with the Advisory Board, which comprises fifteen industry leaders; they along with me work on issues that directly affect them and the companies that they work for, but more importantly the industry they represent. There is regular communication on a monthly basis with the Advisory Board, but we have seen little response on our communications from the CNS Executive Board with the only feedback from the Executive Board being Glyn Hughes and J.C. Odele.
     The CNS Executive Board comprises intellectual people who serve IATA and the industry well, but they are not in a role where they use business relationships on a daily basis. They direct staffs, and they manage goals and objectives. I was hired by Des Vertannes for my ability to put people 1st, which is #1 on IATA’s Core Values. This is what I do; I work with our cargo industry to create opportunities, to promote the IATA/CNS air cargo agenda, and to help people understand the role of air cargo and the value it gives to our members. I am very passionate when it comes to my job and helping people, and my reputation and performance in the industry clearly show this.
     The members of the CNS Advisory Board have from day one supported me and pointed out areas within CNS they feel are important to the industry. From e-AWB and lithium batteries awareness to developing the next generation of air cargo professionals (FACE), these board members have expressed their confidence and the board members listed here are ready to discuss with you the value I bring to the industry and IATA/CNS. They include:
Mick Fountain- Chairman Advisory Board and CEO of Toll Logistics
Robert Kimotek- Vice President Carrier Procurement, Americas DHL Global Forwarding
Jan Krems- President, United Cargo, Vice President, United Airlines
Ray Curtis-Vice President Sales and Marketing, Delta Air Lines
Brandon Fried- Executive Director Airforwarders Association
Jim Butler-President Cargo America Airlines Cargo

     While these are just a few members of the CNS Advisory Board as there are fifteen in all, everyone listed above has expressed their support and concern over this development.

     Moving forward, I look back on the work we have accomplished at CNS in the last two years, and with that, the great success stories.
     eAWB penetration in the U.S. market of 22 percent in 2014
     Migration to a $1.6 million IATA owned CASS-USA electronic payment and presentment platform
     Reduction in paper checks as payment by 60 percent
     2015 State of Florida Training Grant $430,000
     2015 State of California Training Grant $100,000
     2016 State of California Training Grant $200,000
     Two consecutive years of successful CNS Partnership Conferences
     Wide industry awareness on CNS/IATA on cargo issues
     In scholarships awarded since 2014 $17,500

      These are just a few things accomplished here at CNS that we are proud of. I think the top accomplishment I can speak about is anytime I speak to the industry or public on the value of air cargo and what IATA/CNS is doing for you. When you get a chance to show your passion for an industry you love and when you get to present and have the privilege to explain to the audience what the IATA/CNS logo means in excellence, commitment, and dedication, people do listen. This is what I do at IATA/CNS, I ask you to question the reasons behind this termination, and reinstate me to my position. I believe that if you will to allow me to work through the creative differences with the Executive Board and to continue the work I have started, we will be well positioned to lead CNS for the years to come. We will then accomplish the goals they set and that are clearly for the good of the air cargo industry.

     I am available via phone or if needed, able to fly to meet with you in person to discuss.

     Thank you for your time and consideration today.

Warren Jones