Continuity in Motion: OL International Taps Veteran King as New CEO

WESTBURY, NY – June 09, 2026 – In a move that signals both profound continuity and a clear vision for the future, OL International Holdings LLC has announced that Carrie Murphy King will take the helm as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2026. The appointment marks a pivotal moment for the global logistics company as Alan Baer, its President and CEO for over a decade and an industry figure for 50 years, transitions to a strategic Executive Advisor role.

This carefully orchestrated succession places a long-time company architect in the top position, ensuring the firm’s foundational values and operational DNA are carried forward. For a company operating in the turbulent waters of global logistics—a sector recently battered by pandemics, geopolitical conflicts, and canal disruptions—this transition is a masterclass in planned stability, aiming to preserve the very culture that has yielded an almost unheard-of 99% client retention rate.

A Legacy of Innovation and Trust

To understand where OL International is going, one must first appreciate the foundation built by Alan Baer. His career is a microcosm of the modern logistics industry's evolution. Since joining the shipping world in 1975, Baer has been a force for growth and technological adoption. Before his tenure at OL, he grew Ocean World Lines (OWL) into one of the world's largest Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCCs), a feat supported by his early embrace of technology. He championed one of the industry's first systems to automate rate quotes, a move that armed his sales team with the speed and accuracy needed to win in a competitive market.

His influence extended beyond corporate walls, representing the industry's interests before Congress during the drafting of the pivotal Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998. At OL International, which he has led since 2012, Baer cultivated what many describe as a "people-first" culture. This philosophy was not just an internal mantra but a core business strategy, centered on a simple but powerful idea: "When you solve the customer's problems, you earn their trust," as Baer noted in the announcement.

This consultative approach, combined with a continuous investment in technology, created a powerful feedback loop of efficiency, transparency, and client loyalty. During a period of unprecedented supply chain stress, Baer’s leadership was a steadying hand. "Over the last several years the shipping industry has faced some of the most difficult conditions possible with Covid, the canal disruptions, war, and tariffs. Carrie's leadership has really shined throughout," Baer stated, underscoring his confidence in his successor. His transition to Executive Advisor ensures his half-century of experience remains a strategic asset for the company.

The Architect of Growth Steps into the Spotlight

Carrie Murphy King is no newcomer waiting in the wings; she has been a central architect of the company’s success for nearly three decades. Her career is deeply intertwined with Baer's, a partnership that has spanned multiple companies and milestone achievements. Baer himself recalled her potential from their very first meeting, noting, "it was clear that she was going to be a tremendous success in the industry and I offered her a job on the spot."

Her track record validates that initial assessment. In 1997, she joined Baer at OWL, where she successfully opened and grew the company's Chicago office. She repeated this success in 2012 at TTS Worldwide, which would later become OL USA. Her rise within the organization was marked by tangible contributions; as Vice President, she launched the company's critical import division and was a driving force behind the creation of its online track and trace system—a key piece of the tech infrastructure that clients rely on today.

Promoted to Chief Commercial Officer in 2017, Murphy King was instrumental in the company's international expansion, helping to build the global network of 18 offices and nearly 500 agents across 140 countries that exists today. Her ascent to CEO is the natural culmination of a career spent mastering every facet of the business, from on-the-ground operations to global commercial strategy. Her appointment is not just a story of individual achievement but also a powerful statement about the value of cultivating leadership from within.

"It is hard to believe Alan and I have worked together for nearly 30 years," Murphy King said. "That so many of our clients have been with us since the 1990s says everything about his leadership and the culture he built at OL." Her vision for the future is clear and pragmatic: "Our team will be focused on maintaining our 99% customer retention, while leveraging our operational excellence and advances in technology to grow market share."

The Engine Room: Technology and Talent Driving 99% Loyalty

In the logistics sector, a 99% client retention rate is not just a statistic; it is a powerful competitive moat. For OL International, this figure is the direct result of a dual-pronged strategy that seamlessly blends human expertise with sophisticated technology. As a non-asset-based NVOCC, the company’s value lies not in owning ships or trucks, but in its ability to orchestrate complex global movements with precision and reliability.

The technological backbone is crucial. Systems like the proprietary OL MOVE platform provide clients with end-to-end shipment visibility and integrated purchase order management. This level of transparency is no longer a luxury but a necessity for businesses managing just-in-time inventory and complex global supply chains. This digital infrastructure allows the company to offer the efficiency and competitive pricing of a large-scale operator.

However, technology alone does not create loyalty. The second, and perhaps more important, component is the "consultative problem solving" that Baer championed and Murphy King has helped execute. The company’s teams act as strategic partners rather than mere service providers. When disruptions occur—a container gets delayed at port, a customs issue arises, or a shipping lane is rerouted—it is the human element, backed by robust data, that finds solutions. This high-touch service, consistently delivered across its global network, is what transforms a transactional relationship into a long-term partnership and keeps clients from looking elsewhere.

Navigating the Future: Continuity in a Competitive Landscape

The leadership transition at OL International stands as a case study in strategic succession planning. By promoting a seasoned internal leader and retaining the outgoing CEO in an advisory capacity, the company mitigates the risks of disruption often associated with executive changes. This approach ensures that the institutional knowledge and cultural values that have defined the company's success are not only preserved but actively leveraged for future growth.

Carrie Murphy King inherits a healthy, growing organization with a clear identity and a strong market position. Her challenge will be to build upon this legacy—to drive further market share growth and innovate technologically without diluting the client-centric culture that underpins its 99% retention rate. Her deep operational expertise and long history with the company make her uniquely qualified for this task. As she takes leadership of OL's global team, the focus will be on steering the company through the next wave of industry evolution, proving that the steadiest path forward is often the one built on a foundation of proven success and trusted leadership.