Key Takeaways
- AIT Worldwide Logistics has named Justin Kosslyn as its Chief Digital and Technology Officer (CDTO).
- Kosslyn will report directly to President and COO Keith Tholan and lead the company’s global technology strategy, focusing on AI, data, and digital transformation.
- He brings more than 15 years of senior experience from Google, including product management for Google Trends and Search Console, and security‑focused work at Google Jigsaw.
- Leadership views the hire as a step toward making technology a strategic differentiator that reinforces AIT’s people‑centric, entrepreneurial culture.
- Kosslyn holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Yale University and lives in New York City.
Appointment Announcement and Reporting Structure
AIT Worldwide Logistics announced on July 13, 2026 that it has appointed Justin Kosslyn to the newly created role of Chief Digital and Technology Officer. In this capacity, Kosslyn will report directly to President and Chief Operating Officer Keith Tholan, placing him at the top of the technology hierarchy within the organization. The creation of the CDTO position underscores AIT’s commitment to elevating technology as a core pillar of its business model. By placing Kosslyn under Tholan’s direct oversight, the company aims to ensure tight alignment between technology initiatives and overall operational goals. This reporting line also facilitates rapid decision‑making and enables the CDTO to influence cross‑functional strategies that span logistics, data analytics, and customer experience.
Core Responsibilities and Strategic Focus
As CDTO, Kosslyn will lead AIT’s global technology strategy, overseeing the continued evolution of its existing digital programs while accelerating the development of next‑generation integrated systems. His mandate includes advancing the company’s transportation management system (TMS), broadening digital transformation efforts, and driving enterprise‑wide AI adoption that supports smarter decision‑making, innovation, and heightened customer value. He is expected to strengthen alignment across AIT’s fragmented technology landscape, ensuring that disparate tools and platforms work together seamlessly. By empowering teammates with improved connectivity, transparency, and efficiency‑boosting tools, Kosslyn’s leadership should help AIT deliver more consistent, scalable, and customer‑focused logistics solutions.
Leadership Endorsement from COO Keith Tholan
Keith Tholan praised the hire, noting that Kosslyn’s background places him at the forefront of global technology and innovation. “Justin brings the kind of forward‑looking perspective we believe can help AIT lead the next evolution of logistics,” Tholan said. He emphasized that Kosslyn’s proven ability to build digital products and lead technical teams will complement the deep expertise already present within AIT in areas such as logistics, infrastructure, cybersecurity, data, and AI. Tholan viewed the appointment as a natural extension of AIT’s strong technology foundation, one that will enable a true digital transformation capable of unifying the company’s diverse network of shippers and partners worldwide.
Vision for Technology as a Differentiator
Tholan expanded on AIT’s broader ambition, describing the firm as a disruptor in the forwarding industry thanks to its people‑centric culture, entrepreneurial mindset, and unique global strategy. He observed that as technology, data, and AI continue to reshape logistics, AIT sees an opportunity to build on its legacy by developing capabilities that help customers navigate complexity with greater clarity, speed, and confidence. The vision for the company’s next chapter is that technology will evolve from a support function into a strategic differentiator—redefining how logistics services are delivered and setting a new benchmark for the industry. This strategic shift aims to translate technological advancements into tangible competitive advantages for AIT and its clients.
Kosslyn’s Google Tenure and Expertise
Justin Kosslyn brings more than 15 years of experience leading high‑performing technical teams in the development and scaling of cutting‑edge digital products. Most recently, he held senior leadership roles at Google, where he served as product manager for the company’s news ecosystem. In that capacity, he oversaw widely used platforms such as Google Trends and Search Console, guiding their product roadmaps, user experience enhancements, and data‑driven feature releases. His work at Google involved balancing large‑scale technical execution with nuanced product strategy, giving him a deep understanding of how to build scalable, user‑friendly solutions that meet the needs of diverse audiences—a skill set directly transferable to AIT’s global logistics challenges.
Earlier Security Work at Google Jigsaw
Prior to his news‑ecosystem role, Kosslyn spent a decade at Google Jigsaw, the company’s incubator focused on tackling global security challenges through technology. There, he led initiatives to enhance digital and information security, developing tools designed to mitigate threats from cyberattacks, disinformation, and online abuse. His contributions included creating resilient infrastructure, improving threat detection mechanisms, and fostering collaborations with partners to strengthen the overall security posture of Google’s services. This background equips Kosslyn with a strong grasp of cybersecurity best practices—an essential asset as AIT looks to safeguard its data‑intensive operations and protect the integrity of its supply‑chain solutions.
CEO Vaughn Moore’s Endorsement
Vaughn Moore, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AIT Worldwide Logistics, welcomed Kosslyn as a reflection of the company’s forward‑looking strategy. “By hiring him into this new role, the company is positioned to further disrupt the industry by setting a new standard for logistics technology while continuing to deliver world‑class supply chain solutions for our clients,” Moore stated. He highlighted that Kosslyn’s appointment aligns with AIT’s ongoing effort to marry its consultative, relationship‑driven approach with advanced technological capabilities. Moore’s endorsement signals confidence that Kosslyn will help AIT translate its cultural strengths into measurable technological advancements that benefit both internal operations and external customers.
Specific Initiatives at AIT: TMS, AI, and Digital Enablement
At AIT, Kosslyn will concentrate on advancing the company’s technology enablement strategy. Key focus areas include the continued evolution of its global transportation management system, which serves as the nerve center for coordinating multimodal shipments across sea, air, road, and rail. He will also spearhead broader digital transformation initiatives aimed at integrating data streams, enhancing real‑time visibility, and automating routine processes. Additionally, Kosslyn will drive enterprise AI adoption, leveraging machine learning models to improve demand forecasting, route optimization, and risk assessment. By aligning these efforts, he hopes to create a cohesive technology ecosystem that empowers employees with tools that boost efficiency, connectivity, transparency, and overall customer service.
Kosslyn’s Own Statement on Collaboration and Impact
Expressing enthusiasm for his new role, Kosslyn remarked, “AIT has a real opportunity to use technology not just to improve how global logistics works, but to establish a new benchmark for the industry as a whole.” He emphasized his excitement about collaborating with teams across the organization to develop practical, flexible digital solutions that deliver maximum impact for both AIT and its customers. Kosslyn’s comment reflects a belief that technology should be an enabler of human expertise rather than a replacement, reinforcing AIT’s people‑centric ethos while pushing the boundaries of what logistics providers can achieve through innovation.
Education, Personal Background, and Company Overview
Justin Kosslyn earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Yale University and resides in New York City. AIT Worldwide Logistics, headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, is a global freight forwarder that helps companies expand market access by moving raw materials, components, and finished goods worldwide. For over 45 years, the Chicago‑based firm has relied on a consultative approach to build a trusted network spanning aerospace, energy, high‑tech, life sciences, marine, specialized home delivery, and numerous other industries. Backed by scalable, user‑friendly technology, AIT offers flexible, end‑to‑door delivery via sea, air, road, and rail—ensuring timeliness and budget adherence. With more than 170 locations across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America, AIT provides value‑added services such as customs clearance, warehouse management, and white‑glove handling, all underpinned by a high‑performance culture.
Mission Statement and Closing Details
AIT’s mission is to earn customers’ trust by providing solutions that leverage its products, regional reach, and vertical market expertise, all supported by a high‑performance organizational culture. The press release concludes with contact information for media inquiries, including Communications Director Matt Sanders, and provides the company’s address, phone number, and website (www.aitworldwide.com) for further information. This summary captures the essential elements of the announcement while highlighting the strategic significance of Justin Kosslyn’s appointment for AIT’s digital and AI‑driven future.