Mary Beth News

Holland America Line has hired Kathryn Geivett as director, social media. In this capacity Geivett’s primary responsibility will be to drive, plan and oversee the execution of strategic social media and digital initiatives for the cruise line. She will report to Mary Beth Wressell, vice president, marketing communications, for Holland America Line. “Social media is an important way we communicate with our fans, and we’re thrilled to have someone of Kathy’s caliber join the company to oversee all of our different engagement channels,” said Wressell. Geivett has more than 12 years of marketing and advertising experience with an emphasis on digital and social media. Prior to joining Holland America Line she was at Microsoft Corp.

Joe Farrell needs no introduction to the marine salvage community or, for that matter, MarineNews readers. Originally from the Boston, Mass., area, he began by enlisting in the United States Coast Guard, eventually attending the U.S. Navy diver school, becoming a ship’s diver. After two years at sea and diving in Arctic waters, he volunteered for service and became an explosives advisor, offloading ammunition ships in Vietnam. Eventually, Farrell became a civilian diver at the U.S.

The Port of Houston Authority has been inducted into the Houston Independent School District Partnership 'Hall of Fame'. Gilda Ramirez, the port's Vice President, Small Business Development, accepted the award on behalf of the Port Authority. The award is presented to community partners for the exemplary services they provide to HISD students and recognizes such initiatives as partnerships, support for district-wide programs and sponsored special events that have a multiple school or district-wide impact and serve as a model for other partnerships.

Crowley's newest heavy-lift series deck barge 455-5 was christened and launched May 16 at Gunderson Marine Shipyard in Portland, Oregon - the latest in a bevy of new vessel deliveries for Crowley already this year. Christened by Mary Beth Davis, the wife of Rich Davis, the BP manager for the Liberty Rig, the 400 ftlong by 105 ft wide heavy-lift barge will be used to transport the world's largest land based drilling rig for Parker Drilling and BP. Crowley's Bruce Harland, vice president of contract services in Alaska…

Philadelphia Gear Corporation announces the hiring of Stephen Verget to the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Verget replaces Matt O'Reilly, and will be responsible for leading all accounting, financial analysis and treasury functions for Philadelphia Gear. He will also play a key leadership role in defining and executing Philadelphia Gear's evolving business model focused on specialized gear aftermarket service and marine propulsion drives. Verget brings with him 23 years of experience as a finance leader with E.I. DuPont de Nemours in a number of roles. He has held several business unit CFO positions within DuPont, including Agricultural Biotechnology, Advanced Materials, Agricultural Products North America, and Information Technology.

Port industry veteran Lori A. Baer has been appointed director of communications of the American Association of Port Authorities. "We are pleased to be able to bring to this key position an experienced professional with such familiarity with the goals of ports throughout the Western Hemisphere," said Kurt J. Nagle, president of the AAPA. Baer began her port industry career at AAPA in 1982, initially as executive assistant to the president and then as director of membership services. She was involved in the development of the AAPA's highly successful education and training programs. In 1985, Baer began a 12-year stint at the Port of Miami, serving four years as marketing and public relations assistant and the final eight of those years as director of promotions and advertising.