The Association of Corporate Travel Executives board of directors appointed as its next president Kurt Knackstedt,

Rio Tinto category lead for global sourcing in travel and expense management, effective Jan. 1, 2014. Knackstedt has served as an ACTE board member since January 2012, and is a 13-year industry veteran with prior roles at American Express, Rosenbluth International and Travelport. Based in Singapore, Knackstedt would be the first ACTE president from the Asia/Pacific region. "I'm passionate about continuing to drive ACTE's global expansion," Knackstedt told BTN. "For me, it's exciting to take the reins from a different part of the world." He will replace Suzanne Neufang, who will become chair of ACTE's foundation, known as the ACTE Centre.