UWL Appoints Pat Cooney as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships to Support Sun Chief Express Expansion

Cleveland, OH — January 6, 2026 — UWL today announced the appointment of Pat Cooney as Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, a new role established to support the rapid expansion of the company’s Sun Chief Express service. Cooney will lead efforts to strengthen industry partnerships and accelerate commercial growth as Sun Chief targets weekly frequency in 2026.

Cooney brings more than 20 years of senior leadership experience across freight forwarding, contract logistics, and technology-enabled supply chain solutions. His career spans executive roles at EGL/CEVA, UTi/DSV, Javelin Logistics, KlearNow.AI, and most recently at Yusen Logistics’ Contract Logistics Group, where he led customer solutions for complex global operators. Throughout his tenure, Cooney has led global sales organizations, built market-defining service models, and served as Executive Sponsor to several Fortune 500 companies.

Widely regarded as a connector and transformation leader, Cooney has deep relationships across global brands, major BCOs, and upstream manufacturing partners throughout Asia. His network includes long-standing ties with senior leaders across the footwear and apparel industries, major technology manufacturers, and global supply chain innovators. He has also played a significant role in advising and developing partnership strategies for both privately held and PE-backed logistics organizations.

“Pat brings a rare combination of global experience, commercial leadership, and deep industry connectivity,” said Chris Krawczyk, SVP Sun Chief. “As we scale the Sun Chief Express toward weekly frequency, his ability to open doors, shape strategy, and deepen partnerships will be instrumental in helping us build the next era of our business.”

Cooney’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment as UWL and Emirates Shipping Line (ESL) prepare to introduce three new vessels, expand origin capabilities in Vietnam and South China, and enhance North American inland connectivity as part of the 2026 Sun Chief Express weekly service expansion.

“I’m thrilled to join UWL at such an important inflection point,” said Cooney. “Sun Chief Express is one of the most compelling products in the market—high-velocity, highly reliable, and built with the customer at the center. I’m looking forward to helping scale the service and building the partnerships that will define its future.”

Cooney is based in Portland, Oregon, and will work closely with UWL’s global leadership team, strategic partners, and enterprise customers across the Sun Chief Express network.