Tom Crowley Jr., Chairman, President and CEO of
Crowley Maritime Corporation, received an
honorary doctorate degree from the
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY, at today's commencement
exercises.
USMMA officials presented the degree to Mr. Crowley for outstanding service
to the academy, and to the public, government and industry the academy
serves.
In addition to being a staunch advocate for the U.S. merchant marine and the
Jones Act, Crowley has supported men and women at the USMMA with
scholarships, internships, and jobs after graduation. Through the Thomas B.
Crowley, Sr., Memorial Scholarship, which Mr. Crowley established in memory
of his late father, the company has awarded tens of thousands of dollars to
deserving cadets.
"It is truly an honor and a privilege to be recognized by one of this
country's most outstanding and important institutions of higher learning,"
said Crowley. "I look forward to continuing our relationship with the
academy as we work together to strengthen the U.S. merchant marine."
Today, Crowley directs a company with about $1 billion in annual
revenues, approximately 3,800 employees and more than 300 vessels around the
world. The corporation is engaged in worldwide logistics, liner cargo
services, energy and marine services, ship assist and escort services,
petroleum and chemical transportation and vessel design/build technical
services.
During the past nine years, Mr. Crowley has worked to expand and position
the 111-year-old company for success in the 21st Century, focusing on growth
as it relates to the company's expertise on water, while leveraging into new
business areas. His portfolio approach to the business protects the company
from assuming too much risk, while maximizing opportunities to grow. He and
his management team have forged enlightened relationships with employees and
with organized labor to build a resilient, well-trained organization
dedicated to customer responsiveness and service excellence.
Among his many achievements during his tenure as CEO, Crowley has
aggressively directed efforts to preserve the Jones Act; spearheaded a
management re-engineering, embraced and invested in cutting edge
technological advances; initiated and completed the sale of non-core
businesses, and expanded into logistics services and breakbulk and petroleum
transportation. He also launched the largest vessel fleet revitalization in
recent industry history with the construction of 26 new tugs, including the
most powerful cycloidal-propulsion tugs in the world.
In 2001, Crowley acquired Marine Transport Lines (MTL), a storied U.S.
company engaged in chemical parcel transportation, refined petroleum
transportation, crude oil lightering, and ship management. In addition, he
positioned Crowley to be the first U.S. ocean cargo carrier to serve Cuba in
over 40 years through a licensing agreement with the U.S. government. The
historic first shipment of frozen poultry arrived in Havana December 16,
2001. In 2002, the company took delivery of four U.S.-built 155,000-barrel,
double-hulled articulated tug/barge units (ATBs).
He is widely respected in the maritime industry through his involvement with
organizations such as the Sea-Lift Committee of the National Defense
Transportation Society, the American Bureau of Shipping, the Transportation
Institute, the International Council of Container Operators, World Shipping
Council,
Mystic Seaport National Council of Advisors, Marine Transportation
Council and the American Waterways Operators. Additionally, he is a member
of the Barbary Coast Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization.
Mr. Crowley, who earned a finance degree from the
University of Washington,
has received several distinguished awards during his career, including last
year's United Seamen's Service 2002 Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) Award.