MORRISVILLE, N.C., Aug 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliance One International, Inc. (NYSE: AOI) today announced the appointment of John R. Heffernan as Vice President and Treasurer effective August 1, 2014. Mr. Heffernan brings more than 25 years' experience in domestic and international finance, treasury and capital markets. Prior to joining AOI, John held finance leadership roles at several leading U.S corporations most recently as Director of Long Term Investments at Duke Energy Corporation and prior to Duke at Caterpillar Inc. Mr. Heffernan holds a Master of Business Administration degree and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering degree from Bradley University.
Joel Thomas, Alliance One's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, remarked, "John's experience in a number of finance roles at Duke Energy including its investment in IPS Cinergy in Nairobi, Kenya as a Director and its down-stream investment in Tsavo Power Corporation as an Executive Director provide excellent operating experience in Africa, one of our key growth regions. In addition he served as General Manager at Caterpillar International Finance PLC in Ireland. John's international operating experience is a strong addition to our global finance team and we are pleased he has decided to head our global treasury group and its expanding requirements."
Pieter Sikkel, Alliance One's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "John has a proven record of financial innovation and delivery of results. As the Director of Corporate Finance at Duke Energy, he created programs to diversify funding and enhance operational flexibility. He has worked in the U.S., Europe and Asia leading finance organizations and managing joint ventures and partnerships. We are pleased that John has joined our finance team."
Alliance One International is a leading independent leaf tobacco merchant serving the world's cigarette manufacturers. For more information on Alliance One, visit the Company's website at www.aointl.com.
SOURCE Alliance One International, Inc.
