Walter Energy has named its board member Joseph Leonard, former chairman and CEO of AirTran Holdings, as its interim CEO. Mr Leonard succeeds Victor Patrick, who announced his retirement. The effective date of the transition will be close of business March 12, 2010.

Descartes Systems Group, a federated global logistics network, has unveiled its e-freight solution, Descartes e-Pouch, created specifically to address the IATA e-freight initiative and the needs of the air freight industry to automate and standardize the cargo shipment process.

Oil and gas company Rheochem has acquired the remaining 50 percent shareholding of Zeus Petroleum in a cashless transaction. Following this transaction, Rheochem's fully owned exploration and production subsidiary, Lochard Energy, now owns 100 percent of Zeus.

American International Group (AIG) has signed a definitive agreement for the sale of American Life Insurance Company (ALICO) to MetLife for approximately $15.5 billion, including $6.8 billion in cash and the remainder in equity securities of MetLife, subject to closing adjustments.

UK-based construction firm Costain, in joint venture with Skanska, has bagged a £15m contract from Crossrail, as part of the enabling works framework, to construct the Royal Oak Portal, the first tunnel-related construction contract for the Crossrail project.

Modern Times Group (MTG), a Sweden-based entertainment broadcasting company, has appointed Laurence Miall-d'Aout as chief of staff for its Free-TV operations, and Martin Lewerth for the newly created role of chief of staff for the group’s Pay-TV operations.

James J. Boyle & Company (JJ Boyle), an international freight forwarder and customs broker providing transportation services, has formed a strategic partnership with ComSec International, a cargo screener located at DFW International Airport.

DaVita, a US-based provider of kidney care services, has named Luis Borgen as its new CFO, effective March 29, 2010. Mr Borgen joins the company after spending more than 12 years at Staples.

Eagle Rock Energy Partners, a limited partnership engaged in midstream business, has reported total revenue of $151.41m for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009, compared to $504.18m for the same period in 2008.

Opexa Therapeutics, a developer of patient-specific cellular therapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, has reported a net loss of $1.43m, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the full year ended December 31, 2009, compared to $11.85m, or $1.12 per diluted share, for the year ago period.

Navistar is proposing to invest more than $100m to move its world headquarters to Lisle, Illinois, at the site of the former East Lucent Campus, generating and preserving more than 7,000 direct and indirect jobs for Lisle–all with a plan that is compatible with the surrounding community and preserves a Fortune 500 headquarters in Illinois.

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) and Poland-based power company Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE) have signed a new agreement to collaborate on Poland’s initiative to build next-generation commercial nuclear power plants.

Despite the economic doldrums which required downward adjustments to radio-frequency identification (RFID) forecasts for 2009 and 2010, the outlook is good for steady growth through the next five years, according to new market data released by ABI Research.

Standard Motor Products, a manufacturer of automotive replacement parts, has reported net sales of $160.12m for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009, compared to $148.87m for the same period in 2008.

First Citizens Bank, the primary subsidiary of First Citizens BancShares, has entered into an agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to purchase substantially all the assets and assume the majority of the liabilities of Sun American Bank of Boca Raton, Florida.

Beasley Broadcast Group, a large-and midsize market radio broadcaster, has reported a net revenue of $26.16m for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009, a decrease of 14.1 percent, compared to $30.47m for the same period in 2008.

Gazprom has signed a cooperation agreement with the city of Perm Krai for an indefinite period. In addition, the parties will create in the region an energy-saving program providing for the utilization of energy-saving technologies and modern gas-powered facilities.

Arcadis, an engineering and management services company, has signed a five-year multi-country agreement with Esso Belgium, a division of ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical, for providing environmental services in ten European countries.

Emcor Energy Services unit of EMCOR Group has won a nationwide blanket purchase agreement (BPA) to provide comprehensive energy services for the General Services Administration (GSA). Emcor Energy Services was one of 19 organizations to win a BPA by the GSA, a building manager.

Knightscove Media (Knightscove) has entered into an agreement to acquire The Magazine, a Canada-based youth lifestyle magazine. The purchase price for The Magazine shall be C$650,000. The acquisition is expected to be completed in March of 2010.