2002 International Golden Compass Award Recipients Announced
Seafarers’ House at Port Everglades, Fla., has announced the recipients of its 2002 International Golden Compass Award. Alan Kehrer, director of cruise marketing for Port Everglades, and the late Carl Thorsen of Eller & Company, will both be honored for their joint efforts and accomplishments to develop Port Everglades as one of the world’s leading cruise ports. A gala dinner to present the awards will be held in Fort Lauderdale on April 13, 2002. Kehrer began his professional career in 1963 with American Export Lines. In 1972, he joined the Business Development staff of Port Everglades. When Port Everglades began its business diversification plan in 1976, Kehrer emerged as its Manager of Passenger Development.
J. Erik Hvide Steps Down From Helm At Hvide Marine
On June 2, J. Erik Hvide, chairman and CEO of Hvide Marine has decided to step down from his position effective immediately. Hvide's decision, formally stated at Hvide Marine's Board of Directors meeting was furthered by two factors - Mr. Hvide's own personal reasons and the company's declining profits. Hvide, who has been with the company that bears his name for the past 29 years, took the small-family-owned operation started by his father, Hans J. Hvide in 1958, to a leading international provider of marine support and transportation services. The former head executive was a key player in crossing Hvide Marine over to a publicly-traded company in 1996, as well as skyrocketing the company's profits from $40 million to $400 million over the past five years.
Seabulk International: The Metamorphosis Continues
Over four decades ago, Hans J. Hvide and three partners formed Port Everglades Towing Company, the predecessor company of Hvide Marine, started with two harbor tugs. Under Hvide’s leadership, Port Everglades Towing expanded rapidly, eventually forming the three major business segments—Offshore Energy Support, Offshore & Harbor Towing, and Marine Transportation—of Hvide Marine Incorporated (HMI). Today, the company has grown into a worldwide enterprise, publicly traded on the Nasdaq stock exchange, with a fleet of nearly 240 vessels, more than 2,000 employees worldwide, and annual revenue exceeding $320 million. However, the past three years have been anything but smooth sailing for Hvide Marine.
