MIAMI, Feb. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world's largest leisure travel company, today announced Savoy Magazine has named Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald and the company's Holland America Line president, Orlando Ashford, to its list of "Top 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America" -- the definitive roster of African-American executives, influencers and achievers in corporate America.
Donald and Ashford join some of the nation's most accomplished executives and business leaders who were selected based on their exemplary record of accomplishments and influence within their company and community.
"Savoy is proud to balance and diversify the mainstream narrative and perspective on professional success in America. From our cover story with Microsoft Chairman John Thompson, to the executives recognized in our 2016 Savoy Top 100, we cover black leadership, influence and achievement in important ways," said L.P. Green, II, publisher of Savoy Magazine. "We are continually inspired by the success of the executives recognized and we salute the corporations that support and value their diverse contributions."
Donald has been president and CEO of Carnival Corporation, the world's largest leisure travel company with 10 global cruise line brands, including Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises, since July 2013. He has also been a director of Carnival Corporation since 2001 and a director of Carnival plc since 2003.
Donald was president and CEO of The Executive Leadership Council, a professional network of African-American executives of major U.S. companies, from 2010 to June 2012. He previously served as president and CEO of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International from 2006 to 2008. From 2000 to 2005, Donald was Chairman of the Board of Merisant Company, a manufacturer and marketer of tabletop sweetener products, including the Equal® and Canderel® brands. From 2000 to 2003, he was also CEO of Merisant Company. From 1998 to 2000, he was a senior vice president of Monsanto Company, which develops agricultural products and consumer goods, and president of its nutrition and consumer sector. Prior to that, he was president of Monsanto Company's agricultural sector.
He has been a member of the boards of directors of Bank of America Corporation since January 2013 and Crown Holdings, Inc. since July 1999. He was a member of the board of The Laclede Group, Inc. from January 2003 to January 2014, Oil-Dri Corporation of America from December 1997 to January 2013 and The Scotts Company from March 2000 to January 2009. He is also principal of AWDPLC LLC, a private investment company.
Ashford serves as president of Holland America Line, leading the award-winning cruise line's brand and business, including its fleet of 14 premium vessels — including the new 2,650-guest ms Koningsdam to launch in April — carrying approximately 850,000 guests annually to all seven continents. He oversees Holland America Line's sales and marketing, revenue management, deployment and itinerary planning, public relations, hotel operations and strategy.
Ashford is on the board of directors for global manufacturing company ITT Corp. He was named to the "Directorship 100" of the National Association of Corporate Directors in 2013 and 2014, and is a Purdue University School of Technology Distinguished Alumnus. An active community supporter, he is on the board of directors of the Executive Leadership Council, the preeminent membership organization for the development of global black leaders; and for Streetwise Partners, which brings together low-income individuals and volunteer business professionals to develop workplace skills and employment networks. Ashford holds a Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership and Industrial Technology from Purdue University.
Donald and Ashford were both recognized in Savoy Magazine's 2014 "Top Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America." Ashford made that list while he was president of the Talent Business Segment for Mercer, the global consulting leader in talent, health, retirement and investments.
Selection of the "Top 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America" begins by examining the landscape of spheres of influence impacting Savoy Magazine's readership, including corporate sector influence, scholastic achievement, career growth, community outreach and recognition.
The information received from over 500 prospective candidates in diverse fields was pre-screened by the selection committee. The selection committee includes the Savoy Magazine editorial board and community leaders with representatives from the academic and business arenas. The committee reviewed information on executives in human resources, information, real estate, finance, investment banking, diversity, foundations, procurement, business development, marketing, sales, health care, manufacturing and legal.
After reviewing all of the profiles, the field of candidates was narrowed to the 2015 "Top 100 Most Influential" listing based upon their exemplary record of accomplishments and influence while working to better their community and inspire others.
About Savoy Magazine
Savoy Magazine is a national publication covering the Power, Substance and Style of African-American lifestyle. From entertainment to sports, business to politics, design to style, Savoy is a cultural catalyst that highlights timely topics and drives positive dialogue on and about Black culture. Savoy is published quarterly with a worldwide distribution via subscriptions and newsstands. Connect with Savoy: Twitter - www.twitter.com/savoynetwork, Facebook - www.facebook.com/savoymagazine, LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/savoy-magazine.
About Carnival Corporation & plc
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) is the largest leisure travel company in the world, and among the most profitable and financially strong in the industry. With a portfolio of 10 cruise brands in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Line, Fathom, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK).
Together, these brands operate 99 ships totaling 216,000 lower berths with 17 new ships scheduled to be delivered between 2016 and 2020. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, the leading tour companies in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the only group in the world to be included in both the S&P500 and the FTSE 100 indices.
Additional information can be found on www.carnival.com, www.fathom.org, www.hollandamerica.com, www.princess.com, www.seabourn.com, www.aida.de, www.costacruise.com, www.cunard.com, www.pocruises.com.au and www.pocruises.com.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160229/338400
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/carnival-corporation-ceo-arnold-donald-holland-america-line-president-orlando-ashford-named-to-savoy-magazines-top-100-most-influential-blacks-in-corporate-america-list-300227634.html
SOURCE Carnival Corporation & plc
Carnival Corporation Media Contacts: Roger Frizzell, Carnival Corporation, rfrizzell@carnival.com, (305) 406-7862, Mike Flanagan, LDWWgroup, mike@ldwwgroup.com, (727) 452-4538
