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Michael Roberts News

20 Feb 2020

Fitzgerald to Rejoin Crowley as COO

Ray Fitzgerald (Photo: Crowley)

Crowley Maritime Corp. announced today that Ray Fitzgerald, who began his career with Crowley and most recently served as president and chief operating officer of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Solutions, and chairman of American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier (ARC), will rejoin the company March 1 as chief operating officer reporting to Tom Crowley, company chairman and CEO. He will be based at the company’s headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla.Fitzgerald will lead the team of Crowley’s four senior vice presidents and general managers: Rocky Smith…

23 May 2018

Tim Bush Promoted to Crowley VP, Deputy General Counsel

Crowley Maritime Corp. has announced that Tim Bush has been promoted to vice president and deputy general counsel. In his new position, Bush will help support the company’s growth as a provider of solutions for the U.S. government and various public-sector agencies. He will be based in Houston and report to Michael Roberts, senior vice president and general counsel. “Tim is an outstanding lawyer, and adds a great deal of value to the Crowley team,” Roberts said. Bush will continue to serve as Crowley’s lead attorney on several large projects for the U.S government, including the Defense Freight Transportation Services (DFTS) contract for the U.S.

10 Jan 2018

Woodruff Named American Maritime Partnership President

Matt Woodruff

The American Maritime Partnership (AMP) today announced the election of Matt Woodruff of Kirby Corporation as its new President. He succeeds Thomas A. Allegretti, President & CEO of The American Waterways Operators. “Leading the American Maritime Partnership – which speaks for the half a million American men and women whose employment depends on the domestic maritime industry – is a great honor. Our vibrant domestic maritime industry is an essential foundation for America’s economic, national, and homeland security,” Woodruff said.

19 Aug 2016

Focus on Safety, Future Drive Operator Success

Barge No. 272, looking back towards M/V Donna J. Bouchard during the Christening Ceremony in New Orleans, LA, February, 2016. (Photo: Bouchard)

The hallmarks of a successful vessel operator are the same whether they are carrying liquid, physical or human cargo: A laser focus on safety, a twin commitment to customers and crew, and the vision to embrace and invest in the future. However obvious the bar, it is not easy to meet. “I don’t think there is any magic formula,” says Rob Grune, senior vice president and general manager, petroleum services, Crowley Marine Solutions. “The difference is that everything we work on regards providing a high quality of service to customers, pays off. In a rising market, it’s easy to do well.

29 Apr 2016

Crowley’s Roberts Outlines Support for Puerto Rico, Jones Act

Michael Roberts, Crowley's senior vice president and general counsel (Photo: Crowley)

As U.S. lawmakers address means to stabilize Puerto Rico’s economy, Crowley Maritime Corporation’s senior vice president and general counsel, Michael Roberts, was called upon to offer recommendations for supporting the island’s economy and strengthening the U.S. domestic shipping industry. In a written and oral testimony provided last week before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security, Roberts outlined areas of support for Puerto Rico and the Jones Act.

14 Jul 2010

MCTF: False Jones Act Criticism Distracts from Clean-up

The Maritime Cabotage Task Force (MCTF) said that recent Jones Act criticism is false and is only distracting from the job of cleaning up the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Responding to these misleading and inaccurate claims, those leading and coordinating the response as well as independent news organizations have said that the Jones Act is not preventing or delaying foreign vessels’ ability to assist with cleaning the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The Jones Act mandates the use of American vessels and American workers in U.S. domestic maritime trade. However, it does not impede foreign oil skimmers, which are already being used in the clean-up effort. Retired U.S.

18 Jan 2010

Crowley's Puerto Rico Liner Settlement

Crowley Liner Services, Inc. (Crowley) has entered into a settlement agreement with the plaintiffs in the Puerto Rican Cabotage Antitrust Litigation. Although the company specifically denied violating the antitrust laws, it agreed to the settlement given the high cost and burden of litigation, which is expected to continue for several more years. Following the announcement in April 2008 of a government investigation of pricing practices of ocean carriers operating in the Puerto Rico trade, several class action lawsuits were filed against Crowley and other domestic ocean liner carriers on behalf of those who directly purchased domestic ocean shipping services in the Puerto Rico tradelane between 2002 and 2008.

12 Jun 2008

Hearing on Vessel Rebuilding

The Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure conducted a hearing on Rebuilding Vessels under the Jones Act. The law requires, for vessels eligible to engage in the coastwise trade, that any rebuilding, including the construction of any major component of the hull or superstructure, be done in the . Committee Chair James Oberstar (D-MN) noted the need for consistency in application of the rebuild regulations. Subcommittee Chair Elijah Cummings (D-MD) expressed concern about the lack of transparency in the rebuild determination process. Rear Admiral James Watson, USCG, urged Congress to bring greater legislative clarity to the Jones Act. Mr.

11 Sep 2003

Management Dynamics Hires Three Regional Sales Directors

Management Dynamics, Inc. the market leader in tariff and contract management solutions for the ocean transportation industry, today announced that the company has hired three regional U.S. sales directors to support the company's continued expansion into the shipper, freight forwarder, and Non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) markets. Michael Roberts will be responsible for Rate Explorer® product sales in the Southeast region; Patrick Taylor will lead Management Dynamics' sales operations in the Midwest; and John Christensen will direct the company's Northwest sales program. Management Dynamics President and COO, John Preuninger, said, "We are extremely pleased to add three proven sales executives to the Management Dynamics team.