The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA) announced that Herschel Vinyard, vice president at Atlantic Marine Holding Company, has been elected its new chair. Mr. Vinyard takes the leadership role of the Council after two successful years that saw increased membership and an expansion of services provided by the SCA under the chairmanship of Steve Welch, CEO and President of Todd Pacific Shipyards. Chris Bollinger, executive vice president of Bollinger Shipyards, was elected to the position of vice-chair. The elections occurred during the Council’s annual Spring General Membership Meeting, held April 27 - 29, in Washington, DC.
Past chair Steve Welch commented, "It was truly an honor to serve as chair of SCA. Over the past two years the association continued to grow its visibility in Washington and tackle a broad agenda. I have no doubt that Herschel Vinyard and Chris Bollinger will lead SCA to further success and new accomplishments.”
SCA President Matt Paxton praised the outgoing chair for his strong leadership and tireless efforts to promote the Council’s work. “Steve did an incredible job growing SCA as a broader coalition of new build and repair shipyards and has positioned SCA well for both the opportunities and challenges facing the U.S. shipyard industry going forward.” Mr. Paxton added, “I am excited for the leadership that Herschel Vinyard and Chris Bollinger will provide for the SCA during a time of growth of the Council and at such a time of promise for the shipbuilding and repair industry.”
SCA is the largest and most broadly-based trade association representing the U.S. shipyard industry. SCA members build, repair and service America's fleet of commercial vessels. Member companies constitute the shipyard industrial base that maintains and repairs Navy ships and other government craft, in addition to building vessels for the Coast Guard, Navy, Army, NOAA and other government agencies. The Council represents 40 companies that own and operate over 100 shipyards, with facilities on all three U.S. coasts, the Great Lakes, the inland waterways system and Hawaii. SCA also represents 26 affiliate members that provide goods and services to the shipyard industry.
(www.shipbuilders.org)