Northwestern University News

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) has named Assistant Chief Melanie Montroll as Chief of its Harbor Police Department (HPD), following a rigorous national search that included a number of highly qualified candidates. She is a 21-year veteran of the force and will serve as the department’s first woman Chief of Police. Montroll succeeds Chief Robert Hecker, who will retire after having led HPD for more than 26 years.“The Port, our tenants and the region rely on our strong, ethical, and professional Harbor Police Department,” said Brandy D. Christian, Port NOLA President and CEO.

Crowley Maritime Corporation said senior executive Dan Warner has been promoted to chief financial officer, consolidating company’s enterprise-level financial strategy, resources and services under his leadership. Warner has served as senior vice president and treasurer and member of the company’s senior leadership team since 2005. He began his career with Crowley in 2001 as a senior analyst for the corporate planning group, and later served as finance director for both the company’s…

Brunswick Corporation today announced the formation of its Advanced Systems Group and appointed Brett Dibkey President – Advanced Systems Group. The new appointment is effective on January 1, 2020. The Advanced Systems Group consists of the 11 leading Power Products brands from the acquisition completed in August of 2018 in addition to the Attwood Group of businesses with its industry-leading brands, including Attwood, Garelick, MotorGuide, and Whale - all supported by a comprehensive, industry-leading systems design and integration capability.

Exploration travel and cruising company Hurtigruten said it has appointed John Downey as President for the Americas, based in its Seattle regional headquarters.Downey is charged with driving sales and profitability across the U.S., Canada, and South America and will work to broaden and deepen key travel agent relationships and open new channels for growth. He is also tasked with increasing brand awareness and market share by ensuring effective brand positioning, marketing, and…

Adm. Charles Michel, vice commandant of the Coast Guard, presided over a ceremony commissioning the 20th Fast Response Cutter, Lawrence Lawson, in Cape May Saturday. The Lawrence Lawson and crew are homeported in Cape May, where they will perform multiple Coast Guard missions along the Mid-Atlantic coast such as law enforcement, search and rescue and protecting America’s infrastructure from New Jersey to North Carolina. The cutter is named after Lawrence O. Lawson, who, as keeper of the Evanston…

BRP has appointed Olivier Pierini to fill the position of director of global marketing and strategic planning for the Marine Propulsion Systems Division (MPS). In this new role, Pierini is responsible for leading the MPS team to deliver its marketing strategy that includes reinvigorating the Evinrude brand and helping to define its mission, vision and purpose in the marketplace. His primary focus includes identifying the most impactful commercial marketing strategy for the company’s groundbreaking design efforts…

Ken Cohen, vice president, Public and Government Affairs, Exxon Mobil Corporation, has announced his intention to retire effective Jan. 1, 2016, after more than 38 years of service. It is anticipated that the board of directors will elect Suzanne McCarron as vice president, Public and Government Affairs, Exxon Mobil Corporation. McCarron is currently general manager, Public and Government Affairs, and president, ExxonMobil Foundation, the primary philanthropic arm of the Exxon Mobil Corporation in the United States. The ExxonMobil Foundation is focused on creating economic opportunities for women, support for math and science education and efforts to combat malaria.

It's a career-defining moment for 36 college and university faculty April 30, as the Department of the Navy announces the recipients of its 2015 Young Investigator Program, one of the oldest and most selective scientific research advancement programs in the country. Collectively, awardees will receive $18.8 million in grants to fund research across a range of naval-relevant science and technology areas. This is a banner year for the program, administered by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), which increased funding by 50 percent over last year. "These recipients demonstrate the type of visionary, multidisciplinary thought that helps the U.S. Navy anticipate and adapt to a dynamic battlespace," said Dr. Larry Schuette, ONR's director of research.

Following the previous announcement regarding two group presidents’ retirements and new responsibilities for another group president, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) today announced related changes at the vice president level, including the retirement of Vice President Steve Gosselin. After more than 35 years of outstanding service with the company, Steve Gosselin, 56, vice president with responsibility for the Customer Services Support Division, has elected to retire. Gosselin’s retirement will be effective February 1, 2015. “Much of Steve’s career has been spent in marketing and product support roles, and in his most recent position, he has provided critical leadership in strengthening and aggressively growing Caterpillar’s aftermarket parts and product support business…

Port industry veteran Don Allee will assume control of the Port’s Cruise and Tourism Division in January, following the retirement of current Director J. Robert Jumonville. Jumonville, who will retire in January after 25 years at the Port, oversaw the planning and construction of all three Julia St. Cruise Terminals, including the present consolidation of the two terminals into one modern terminal completed in 2011. Jumonville was also instrumental in the design and construction of the Erato Street Cruise Terminal and Parking Garage Complex…

Following the previous announcement regarding two group presidents’ retirements and new responsibilities for another group president, Caterpillar Inc. today announced related changes at the vice president level, including the retirement of Vice President Steve Gosselin. After more than 35 years of outstanding service with the company, Steve Gosselin, 56, vice president with responsibility for the Customer Services Support Division, has elected to retire. Gosselin’s retirement will be effective February 1, 2015. “Much of Steve’s career has been spent in marketing and product support roles, and in his most recent position, he has provided critical leadership in strengthening and aggressively growing Caterpillar’s aftermarket parts and product support business…

Maui Acquisition Corp, the parent corporation of The Safariland Group, has  announced the appointment of Christopher E. Kubasik to its Board of Directors effective immediately. In addition to serving on the Board, Mr. Kubasik will also serve as the Chairman of the Company’s Audit Committee. “We are pleased and excited to welcome someone of Chris’ caliber to our Board of Directors,” said Warren Kanders, Chairman and CEO of the Company. Mr. Kubasik added, “I am excited to join this…

Maui Acquisition Corp, the parent corporation of The Safariland Group, a global provider of a diverse range of safety and survivability products designed for the public safety, military, professional and outdoor markets has announced the appointment of Christopher E. Kubasik to its Board of Directors effective immediately. In addition to serving on the Board, Mr. Kubasik will also serve as the Chairman of the Company’s Audit Committee. “We are pleased and excited to welcome someone of Chris’ caliber to our Board of Directors,” said Warren Kanders, Chairman and CEO of the Company. Mr.

Rear Admiral Susan L. Dunlap commissioned into the United States Maritime Service by Deputy Secretary of Transportation John Porcari. The ceremony was conducted in the presence of administration, faculty, staff and the Regiment of Midshipmen. Maritime Administrator David Matsuda also attended the commissioning ceremony along with Marlise Streitmatter, chief of staff for the Department of Transportation. "We're thrilled to welcome Captain Dunlap on-board to help continue the important work of training and preparing the next generation of Merchant Mariners," said deputy secretary Porcari.

VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VT Halter Marine) announced the appointment of Rear Admiral (Ret.) John J. Prendergast, III to the position of Executive Vice President (EVP). Mr. Prendergast will be responsible for a broad range of functions including Government Contracts, Organizational Excellence, Human Resources and DoD/DHS Interface, Procurement and Inventory Management. Prendergast holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and is a distinguished graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School…

Transocean Ltd. has appointed Rob Shaw to serve as Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer, effective December 1, 2011. Until Shaw assumes this position, Robert L. Herrin, Jr. will serve as interim Vice President and Controller and Ricardo H. Rosa, the company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will serve as interim Principal Accounting Officer. Herrin has served as the company’s Vice President of Internal Audit since 2007, but will not act in that capacity during the period that he serves as interim Vice President and Controller. Shaw, age 48, has served as Vice President and Treasurer since joining the company in July 2010. Previously, Shaw served as Head of Corporate Finance and Treasury at Air Liquide, based in Paris France.

Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG) (SIX: RIGN) announced today that Rob Shaw has been appointed to serve as Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer, effective December 1, 2011. Until Mr. Shaw assumes this position, Robert L. Herrin, Jr. will serve as interim Vice President and Controller and Ricardo H. Rosa, the company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will serve as interim Principal Accounting Officer. Mr. Herrin has served as the company’s Vice President of Internal Audit since 2007, but will not act in that capacity during the period that he serves as interim Vice President and Controller. Mr. Shaw, age 48, has served as Vice President and Treasurer since joining the company in July 2010. Previously, Mr.

TranSystems, an engineering and consulting firm that provides integrated solutions for transportation infrastructure challenges to facilitate the movement of goods and people, announced the addition of Frederick (Rick) Ferrin to our Jacksonville, Fla., office. Ferrin brings 22 years of marine experience as both an engineer and port director. In his new role as Vice President, he will focus his efforts on developing business and serving the firm’s clients in the Southeast and Gulf Coast regions. Ferrin comes to TranSystems from the Jacksonville Port Authority where he served as CEO directing all facets of daily port administration, operations, planning, engineering, maintenance, finance, security, marketing and business development.

Brunswick Corporation announced that William Seeley has been named vice president-corporate accounts and distribution, reporting to George W. Buckley, Brunswick’s chairman and chief executive officer. In this newly created position, Seeley will focus on building closer relationships with key partners and marketers globally, seeking ways that Brunswick can utilize its unique strengths to add mutual value through new products or services, joint ventures or other operating relationships. Seeley will also be available to the Brunswick Boat Group and Mercury Marine to help drive cross-channel, intercompany distribution of Brunswick products.

Marc D. Bumgarner has joined Matson Intermodal System in Oakbrook Terrace as vice president, International. In this position, Bumgarner will be responsible for Matson Intermodals’ entire international business sector, including current customers and strategic growth opportunities. Bumgarner comes to Matson Intermodal with over a decade of intermodal marketing experience. He has held director posts at Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, with an emphasis on sales, marketing and pricing. Most recently, he was vice president, pricing and schedules, for Webmodal, a business-to-buisness web-based platform for the purchase of freight transportation. Bumgarner was one of the seven founding members of the ocmpany’s management team.

Lasco Shipping Co. (LASCO), announced that the Board of Directors has appointed Anton U. Pardini as President and Chief Operating Officer. In making the announcement, Novack stated the Board’s strong support for Pardini was based in part on Pardini’s clear vision for the company’s future direction, his skill in forging strong strategic business alliances with global partners, and commitment to enhancing the company’s core value through vessel and asset acquisitions, partnerships, pooling arrangements and continuing development of LASCO’s reputation as a provider of efficient, reliable vessel services for customers world-wide. Industry…

Crowley Maritime Corporation has promoted Ed Fortunato to vice president, Government Business Development, with marketing, sales and budgetary responsibility for the company's government services sector. In his new position, he remains domiciled in the Washington, D.C. area. He continues his activities with senior government agency councils and committees. Since joining Crowley in 1997 as Director of Government Services, Fortunato has been instrumental in managing government contracts. Prior to joining Crowley, Fortunato worked for the Logistics Management Institute providing transportation/logistics advice and analytical support to the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He also taught graduate level transportation and logistics at the National Defense University.

Crowley Maritime’s board approved the appointment of Dan Warner to Senior Vice President and Treasurer effective January 1. In his new position, Warner is responsible for the direction and management of the treasury activities of the total organization. He ensures that financial transactions, policies and procedures meet corporate objectives and regulatory body requirements. He also manages the corporate banking and investment functions and is responsible for negotiating all company-wide short and long-term debt financing. Warner will remain domiciled in Jacksonville, and will report to Bill Pennella, Crowley's Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President. Reporting to Warner are Senior Treasury Analysts Momodou Sallah and Jennifer Pope.