Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute News

Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA welcomes Michelle Kruger as vice president of global services and support. Operating from Austal’s San Diego waterfront services facility, Kruger is responsible for Austal USA’s global post-delivery repair and warranty efforts, including the development of business strategy and strategic alliances. As the primary customer interface for ship repair and maintenance services, Kruger will lead the pursuit of future government and commercial business…

Crowley has appointed Bob Karl as senior vice president and general manager of the company’s new business unit, Crowley Wind Services. As Crowley elevates the scope of its offerings in wind energy, Karl will lead the company’s wind services team in the strategic development and expansion of services to support the emerging sector. The development of a wind service business unit will see the company continue to leverage its expertise and assets to provide landside and marine logistic solutions throughout the wind lifecycle.

The American Pilots’ Association (APA) announced Clayton L. “Clay” Diamond will assume the duties of Executive Director and General Counsel effective January 1.Diamond succeeds Paul Kirchner, who has been APA Executive Director-General Counsel since 1992. Kirchner will continue with APA as Senior Counsel focusing on issues and projects related to State pilotage and international matters.Diamond, who has been APA’s Deputy Director-Associate General Counsel since 2008, is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

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…

Harvey Gulf International Marine’s parent, HGIM Corp., has announced the appointment of a new Board of Directors to serve following the company’s emergence from Chapter 11 proceedings.The seven member Board includes two current members remaining on the Board and five new members, each with expertise in individual areas particularly suited to support the company’s operation and development and collectively, creating a leadership platform that will enable Harvey Gulf to adjust and thrive in an ever-changing market. Shane Guidry. Mr. Guidry remains the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer for HGIM Corp. Mr. Guidry is the third generation in his family to lead Harvey Gulf. Mr.

Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. (BHGI) announced the addition of naval architect Zachary Gilfus and mechanical engineer Marissa Stutzman to its naval architecture and marine engineering practice. Gilfus is the most recent addition to BHGI, joining the team at the end of August as a naval architect and marine engineer. Gilfus graduated this past spring from Webb Institute with a Bachelor’s of Science in naval architecture and marine engineering. During his time at Webb, Gilfus interned at four different companies including Carnival Cruise Lines and General Dynamics NASSCO.

A vote by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (BHE) has confirmed Francis X. McDonald has been selected as the 38th president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. McDonald, a 1985 graduate of the school, has worked on campus since 1994. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President of the nation's oldest continuously operating maritime academy and has earned degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Northeastern University. McDonald topped an impressive field of five that included Coast Guard Captain Melissa Bert, retired Coast Guard Captain Kurt Colella and retired Navy Admirals Michael Nowakowski and Ann Rondeau.

EVP Fran McDonald tops a field of five; choice still must be approved by Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. Pending a confirmation vote by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (BHE), Francis X. McDonald has been selected as the 38th president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. McDonald, a 1985 graduate of the school, has worked on campus since 1994. Currently, he serves as Executive Vice President of the nation's oldest continuously operating maritime academy and has earned degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Northeastern University. McDonald topped an impressive field of five that included Coast Guard Captain Melissa Bert, retired Coast Guard Captain Kurt Colella and retired Navy Admirals Michael Nowakowski and Ann Rondeau.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the appointment of seven members to the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Advisory Board. The USMMA Advisory Board serves as an independent body whose purpose is to examine the course of instruction and management at the Academy and advise the USMMA Superintendent and Maritime Administrator to ensure the best possible educational atmosphere for all midshipmen. “The Department is committed to providing every midshipman at Kings Point the highest-quality education possible,” said Secretary LaHood.

Huntington Ingalls Industries said that Peter Diakun, vice president and chief technology officer of its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division, has been appointed to vice president of energy programs. Diakun, a 26-year veteran of the shipyard, will assume responsibility for energy programs while maintaining certain aspects of his current position. Integration Center (VASCIC) operations, including operational concepts and modeling and simulation work. In this new role, Diakun will also become the general manager of Newport News Nuclear, Inc.

The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command welcomed its new executive director John Thackrah Jan. 24. Thackrah - a member of the Senior Executive Service - will oversee MSC's business operations and serve as a senior advisor to MSC's commanding admirals. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., MSC is the ocean transportation provider for the Department of Defense - responsible for the operation of more than 110 civilian-crewed, noncombatant ships supporting military and humanitarian missions worldwide. Thackrah comes to MSC from the Navy's Strategic Systems Program, where he served as the principle deputy. SSP provides the nation's sea-based deterrent missile systems. Thackrah began his Navy career in 2005 as the deputy assistant secretary for management and budget.

Northrop Grumman Corporation has appointed Peter C. Diakun to vice president of platform integration and technology development. He reports to Eric Womble, vice president of the advanced capabilities group for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, the newly-formed sector of Northrop Grumman Corporation, is made up of the former Northrop Grumman Ship Systems and shipbuilding sectors. Diakun's responsibilities include leading technology development and platform integration programs for the and shipyards. Specific programs include warfare systems, networks, integrated power, operations research, operational capabilities analysis, and modeling and simulation.

Driven by decade-high oil prices, industry leader Baker Hughes Incorporated reported operating profit after tax from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2000, excluding non-operational items, was $70.6 million, up 456% compared with $12.7 million for the third quarter of 1999, and up 72% compared with $41 million for the second quarter of 2000. Net income for the third quarter of 2000 was $66.7 million compared to $13.2 million for the third quarter of 1999. Results for the third quarter of 2000 include the impact of losses, net of tax, totaling $3.9 million related to the company's holdings of Varco International, Inc. stock and the sale of the Norward product line of Baker Atlas. Michael E.

Duramax Marine, a world leader in water-lubricated rubber bearings, recently broke ground on a new facility that will streamline the company's current manufacturing operations. The facility, with approximately 65,000 sq. ft. of factory and office space will consolidate production and administration into one centralized location in Troy Township, Ohio, approximately 40 miles south east of Cleveland. The expected grand opening will be the first quarter of 2001. Watson Coatings Inc. said that Gordon Watson, founder and CEO, retired on Nov. 2, 2000. Gordon founded Watson Coatings in 1987 with his wife Carol, and sons, Tom and Gary. Carol Watson will continue as Office Manager…

In addition to managing his regular duties, the executive officer (XO) of the USS Guardian (MCM 5) is preparing to be the first surface warfare officer to "fleet-up" to commanding officer (CO). Lt. Ted Essenfeld, who arrived at the ship in January 2007, will lead the way in what will be a Navywide standard for surface warfare officers in line to become commanding officers. Under the fleet-up plan, officially set in motion in December 2005, XO’s serve 18 months and then transition to CO, for their command tour on the same ship. For Guardian, which is an O-4 command ship, it will only be 15 months for Essenfeld before he becomes commanding officer.

National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) has appointed new Vice Presidents of Human Resources, Finance and Production Outfitting. NASSCO is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD). Donald H. Dame has been named Vice President – Human Resources ; he will report to Harris. Dame has over 30 years of human resources business experience. For the last seven years, he has been Vice President of Human Resources and Government Relations for Freeman Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, headquartered in Springfield, Ill. Dame holds a degree in Mining Technology from Rend Lake College in Ina, Ill. and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Education from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.