Who is Rinaldo Vels?
Educational and working experience
I was born in 1978 in Apeldoorn, The Netherlands. My ultimate dream was to become a commercial pilot, but unfortunately due to a small medical issue (hearing) I did not pass, which was a big pity as I passed all theoretical pre-exams at that time.
In 1996 I started to study Aviation Logistics in The Netherlands (Material Management & Physical Distribution). During my studies I started to work at the airport to learn more about the day to day operations at a forwarder, which obviously supported my (practical) educational development significantly at that time.
After my studies I worked for freight forwarding companies: Emery Worldwide a CNF Company (now UPS) and Road Air (now Rhenus Logistics).
From 2006 I wanted to explore the Cargo and Ground Handling at the airport, where I started at Menzies Aviation. A significant personal development in a number of years, from Account Manager Cargo, Commercial Manager Ramp/Cargo/De-icing/Lounges in The Netherlands and later in Continental Europe upto Vice President Commercial Continental Europe at the end in 2012. The commercial skills and drive to deliver results were my key focus.
End 2012 I joined Jan de Rijk Logistics as Commercial Director. The main focus was to drive the sales (team) for Airfreight Trucking, Industrial Trucking and Warehousing.
From the start of 2014 I rejoined Menzies within the Air Menzies International division as Vice President Continental Europe. Starting up a greenfield Airfreight Wholesale office at Amsterdam Airport, National and International commercial support as well being part of the Global Management Team until nearly the end of 2019.
Considering my working experience as well personal interest, I can say I 'love' the airline business in general. Jet-A1 fuel in my vaines is one of favorite sentences, as I have it.
Competences and Interests
My main competences are within the following areas:
- Airline business (Passenger handling, Ground/Ramp handling, Cargo handling, De-icing, Lounges and (wholesale) freight forwarding)
- Sales and Business Development
- Management and Strategy
- Finance and Operations
- Result driven
- Teamplayer
- Entrepreneur
Family facts
I am happily married with my wife Gonda Meurs. She is running here own photography business (www.gondafotografie.nl & www.dayinmylife.nl).
We are parents of two boys, Jippe and Abel.
As a family we live in Hilversum, The Netherlands
You can also check my Linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rinaldovels