CNF gets new vp

Mitchell E. Plaat has been promoted to vp of procurement for San Mateo, CA-based transportation conglomerate CNF. He previously served as director of contract services, based at CNF’s administrative and technology center in Portland, OR.

Plaat, a 17-year veteran of CNF, is now the company’s chief procurement officer, overseeing the design, development and implementation of specifications and purchasing programs for all supplier goods and revenue equipment to meet the operating, fleet resource, freight handling and terminal network needs of CNF’s operating companies in transportation, logistics and supply chain management services.

He succeeds D. Wayne Byerley Jr., CNF’s vp-purchasing and the company’s top purchasing executive for more than 15 years. Byerley is retiring after 37 years with the company.