US Invests Nearly $10 Million to Advance Marine Energy
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced nearly $10 million for seven projects that will accelerate development and testing of marine energy technologies. These investments advance research on wave-powered technology for use in seawater desalination and support a feasibility study for a potential ocean current test facility. “Marine energy technologies have incredible potential to provide clean electricity as well as clean water,” said Alejandro Moreno, Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Brennan Named Director of NOAA’s National Hurricane Center
NOAA has selected Mike Brennan, Ph.D., to serve as the next director of NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, as preparations continue ahead of the 2023 hurricane season. He will assume this new role effective today, April 10, 2023.“The NHC director is one of the most visible and important jobs in the nation, and Mike possesses the right combination of experience, leadership and personal traits to prepare and guide us through major storms,” said Rick Spinrad, Ph.D., NOAA Administrator.
Brandi Smith Named VP of Newport News' Columbia-Class Program
Global defense and technologies company HII announced Thursday that Brandi Smith has been named vice president of the Columbia-class program at the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding division. Smith will succeed Charles Southall, who will retire July 1 after more than 35 years of distinguished service.The U.S. Navy has identified the Columbia class as its No. 1 acquisition priority. Twelve Columbia-class boats will replace the fleet of Ohio-class nuclear ballistic submarines and take over the role of the nation’s sea-based strategic deterrent…
Smith Named Director of Columbia-class Sub Program
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced Brandi Smith has been named program director of the Newport News Columbia-class submarine program.Smith will be responsible for leading the company’s construction activities for the U.S. Navy’s new class of ballistic-missile submarines, as well as maintaining strong relationships with General Dynamics Electric Boat and Navy customers. She will report to Jason Ward, Newport News vice president for Columbia-class submarine construction.Smith began her career at Newport News in 2002 as an engineer in the carrier overhaul program.
Panama Canal Appoints New Administrator
The Panama Canal Board of Directors announced the appointment of Ricaurte Vasquez as the next Panama Canal Administrator.According to a press note from the artificial 82 km waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean, Vasquez will take office on September 4, 2019, succeeding current Administrator Jorge L. Quijano, who concludes his seven-year term at the helm of the waterway.The decision was made by the Board of Directors in accordance to an independent, transparent and rigorous process mandated by the Panamanian Constitution and Organic Law of the Panama Canal Authority."As part of the Panama Canal Authority's autonomous institutional process…
Huntington Ingalls Industries Announces Leadership Changes
Huntington Ingalls Industries announced changes to its senior leadership team. Michael Smith, executive vice president, strategy and development, is moving to HII’s Technical Solutions division, where he will serve as president of the SN3 business and report to Michael Lempke, president of the Nuclear & Environmental group, effective immediately. Scott Stabler, executive vice president, internal audit, is moving into a new role as HII’s executive vice president and chief transformation officer, reporting to Mike Petters, HII’s president and CEO.
31st Edition of Cruise Shipping Miami
Cruise Shipping Miami 2015 is gearing up to offer the most comprehensive and robust roster of panel discussions featuring the industry's most knowledgeable and experienced executives. The panels will be grouped under several broad themes based on industry trends during the four-day conference. The 31st edition of Cruise Shipping Miami is scheduled for March 16-19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Organized by UBM Connect, thematic topics include The Geography of Cruise Tourism, Safety and Ship Operations, Market Segments and Cruise Product Development. On Tuesday morning, March 17, the conference will open with the popular State of the Industry session. Participants in that plenary session will be announced in the coming weeks. This program may be subject to alterations and additions.
Vacon, One of 18 Selected by DoE
Global AC drives manufacturer, Vacon, has been named one of 18 industry-leading companies to participate in the Next Generation Power Electronics Institute at North Carolina State University. The Institute will bring research and commercial product development resources together in a centralized location to improve and make cost-competitive wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductor-based power electronics. Over the next five years the institute will be financed with $70M in Department of Energy (DoE) support plus a collective $70M contribution from participating companies and other partners. “Vacon is honored and excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with some of the best minds from industry leading companies…
Taylor Made Appoints New Sales Director
Taylor Made Environmental has elected Ned Trigg to the position of international and domestic OEM sales director. Trigg will be responsible for all aspects of sales operations, including assigning OEM territories, OEM relations and coordinating requirements between sales and production, applications and engineering. Upon receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University in 1987, Trigg joined Marine Development Corporation (MDC) as an applications engineer. Two years later, he became an OEM sales manager and called on key domestic accounts for over 10 years. In 1997 he was given the added responsibility of Southeast Asia.
Northrop Grumman Restructures Several Business Areas
Northrop Grumman Corporation has announced several organizational changes and associated executive-level appointments within its Electronic Systems sector. These changes will better position the sector for future business opportunities. “This reorganization will enable us to better focus sector resources on targeted business growth areas, while maximizing the use of executive leadership strengths, especially in such areas as military intelligence, space sensors, naval and marine systems and process and program management,” said Robert P. Iorizzo, president of the Electronic Systems sector. • George W. • Taylor W. • John V. • Robert W. • James L. • John C. • Charles J. • Thomas F. Kline, sector director, Quality Assurance. George W.
NOAA Presents Excellence Awards
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has announced this year's recipients of the Walter B. Jones Memorial and NOAA Excellence Awards for Coastal and Ocean Resource Management. The awards honor excellence in unique coastal and ocean resource management programs, as well as in public and private endeavors to conserve America's coasts. Winners of these prestigious awards will be recognized on Oct. 21 in Washington, D.C. The Walter B. Jones Memorial and NOAA Excellence Award winners demonstrate the positive impact public and private organizations and citizens can have on coastal and ocean problems. The winners were chosen from a pool of more than 60 qualified nominees by an independent panel of judges.
