Bermuda-based Foster Wheeler Ltd. has announced that James E. Schessler has been promoted to senior vice president and elected a member of the company's board of directors.

Before this new appointment, Mr. Schessler, 55, was vice president, human resources and administration and a member of the company's executive committee. In his new position he will continue to be responsible for these areas, such as management development, compensation and performance incentives, staffing, employee benefits, manufacturing and construction labour relations, safety and health.

In making the announcement, Richard J. Swift, chairman, president and CEO, said: "Jim Schessler has been an invaluable member of this company's senior management and has done an outstanding job developing our human resources needs, which has been a continuing factor in our growth. I am confident that he will play an important role as a member of our board of directors."

During his 32-year career with Foster Wheeler, Schessler has held a number of human resources positions.

He joined the company's headquarters in 1977 as director of personnel, becoming vice president of personnel and industrial relations in 1988. Prior to this he was plant personnel manager at the company's manufacturing facility in Dansville, New York and before that personnel manger at its Houston engineering centre.