Search Committee News

Webb Institute announced on Wednesday that Mark Martecchini will become the 16th president in the school's history, effective July 1, 2022. Selected by a Webb Board of Trustee search committee Martecchini will succeed R. Keith Michel who has served as Webb’s president for the past nine years.Board of Trustees chair Bruce S. Rosenblatt, said, “[Martecchini] is a visionary leader who is passionate about the mission of Webb Institute and is committed to building upon our 130-year history of excellence in engineering education.” During a 38-year career with Stolt-Nielsen…

After nine years president of Webb Institute, R. Keith Michel announced plans to retire effective June 30, 2022, and the search is on for his successor at this top-ranked undergraduate institution specializing in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Founded in 1889 by New York-based shipbuilder William H. Webb, Webb Institute is the only full-tuition scholarship, private undergraduate program of its kind in the United States, with a maximum of 28 students being accepted…

William J. Brennan, president of Maine Maritime Academy, announced he will retire after the upcoming school year, capping off 12 years of service to the institution.“It is an exciting moment for me, but I really do have mixed emotions about the announcement,” Brennan said. “This is truly the best job I have ever had. MMA’s mission, our students and our staff and faculty, they all mean the world to me. Still, I feel this is the right decision for me and for the academy.”In a letter announcing his decision to Earle Cianchette…

The Virginia Port Authority Board (VPA) of Commissioners today introduced Stephen Edwards as the next leader of The Port of Virginia. He succeeds John F. Reinhart who for the last seven years has led the VPA as its CEO and executive director.Edwards has extensive experience in the global transportation industry most recently as the president and CEO of TraPac, LLC (TraPac), which operates container terminals in Los Angeles, Oakland and Florida. His tenure with the VPA begins on January 19, 2021.“I am delighted to be joining the Virginia Port Authority team in January,” Edwards said.

Former Dredging Contractors of America (DCA) executive director and Weeks Marine’s corporate and government relations director Mark D. Sickles will serve as Interim CEO and executive director as the organization searches for new staff leadership to succeed outgoing DCA head William P. Doyle, who has been appointed to lead the Maryland Port Administration, and Executive Director of the Port of Baltimore.Sickles was unanimously approved by the DCA board of directors and general membership during its annual meeting on July 9.

William P. Doyle is the incoming Executive Director of the Maryland Port Administration. A former U.S. Federal Maritime Commissioner, Doyle currently serves as CEO & Executive Director of the Dredging Contractors of America – and the group's member companies have recently made a series of announcements to build new dredges of several types and sizes. We caught up with the incoming Port of Baltimore head to discuss his initial goals for the new role. How do you feel about being selected the head of MPA and Executive Director of the Port of Baltimore?I feel terrific.

The Seamen’s Church Institute of New York & New Jersey (SCI) selected Rev. Mark S. Nestlehutt as its new President & Executive Director, succeeding the Rev. David Rider, effective February 18, 2020.With more than two decades of church experience in Massachusetts, Illinois, Maryland, Australia and South Africa, Mark joins SCI from Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania where he serves as Rector. His previous employment and interests include service as an officer in the U.S.

Gulf of Mexico vessel builders – and their customers – adapt to a lean offshore market. After oil prices plunged in late 2014 – pressured by shale output – demand for offshore vessels in the Gulf of Mexico shrank, day rates for boats fell and non-working units were idled. This year, several GoM boat builders filed for Chapter 11, or voluntary bankruptcy, while others consolidated. The most diversified companies kept their heads above water. Today, the outlook's a bit brighter. Crude oil prices hit bottom early last year. Tidewater Inc.

Larry T. Rigdon will serve as interim president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Tidewater Inc. while a search committee seeks a permanent successor to Jeffrey M. Platt, who has elected to retire from his role as director, president and CEO of offshore service vessels (OSV) owner and operator effective October 15, 2017. “Having successfully completed the financial restructuring of Tidewater at the end of July, which positioned the company to weather current industry conditions and achieve success in the future…

The State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College has selected Dr. Richard Burke and Dr. Christopher Clott as its inaugural ABS chairs following a comprehensive search that drew an expansive range of applicants, the college announced today. Made possible through the financial support of ABS (formerly the American Bureau of Shipping), which provided an endowment of $3 million dollars, the positions aim to allow SUNY Maritime to remain “first and foremost” in the maritime education and training field.

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners is scheduled to vote Monday, June 30, to name Jon W. Slangerup, a veteran corporate executive with extensive experience in global logistics and environmental technologies, as the Port of Long Beach’s new Chief Executive. “After an extensive, nationwide search, the Board of Harbor Commissioners is very pleased to recommend the appointment of Jon Slangerup as the Port’s new Chief Executive,” said Harbor Commission President Doug Drummond. “He’s an extremely capable leader, proven team-builder and expert at managing a world-class organization. With the pending expansion of the Panama Canal and the aftermath of the 2008 recession, port communities throughout North America have been highly focused on maintaining and growing their business.

Ellen Gray has decided to step down as Executive Director of Lincoln Maritime Center at the end of the summer.  Rick Pedone, President, Board of Trustees said, "Ellen’s dedication to Lincoln is unsurpassed and her leadership will be missed." She informs that over the next two months a search committee comprised of members of the board of  trustees will be conducting a search for a new executive leader for Lincoln who can help us expand our rowing and sailing programs and secure additional funding.  The institute welcomes support in providing inputs and will provide updates on the Center’s website as the search progresses.  A complete job description can be found here.  website:http://lincolnmaritime.org/

Dr. Michael A. Alfultis, a retired U.S. Coast Guard captain, and the director and chief administrative officer of the University of Connecticut’s Avery Point campus, has been named as the next president of the SUNY Maritime College. Dr. Alfultis’ appointment was affirmed today by the SUNY Board of Trustees who met in Buffalo. He will begin his Maritime presidential duties on Monday, July 14. With more than 20 years of undergraduate teaching experience and 13 years of progressive academic administrative responsibility at both military and civilian institutions of higher education…

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the launch of a global executive search to fill the the top post at the Port of Los Angeles. Under Mayor Garcetti’s direction, the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners established an ad hoc search committee to oversee the process, which is comprised of Harbor Commission President Vilma Martinez and Commission Vice President David Arian. “The Port of Los Angeles is a critical economic driver of our region and plays a central role in L.A.’s reputation as a global city and leading Pacific Rim trade gateway,” said Mayor Garcetti. “The Port operates in a fiercely competitive global economy and international trade arena,” said Board President Martinez.

SUNY Maritime College President Rear Admiral Wendi B. Carpenter, USN (Ret.), announced on Friday, September 6, 2013, that she will step down shortly after the completion of the Fall semester. Admiral Carpenter has served as President since August 31, 2011, and has decided to step down in order to have more time for family and to pursue both personal and professional priorities and passions. SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher will work with the College to form a search committee and will ensure leadership at the campus continues uninterrupted.

Dr. George Campbell Jr. R. Keith Michel, Chairman of the Board of the Herbert Engineering Group of Companies, has been appointed President of Webb Institute, the country’s foremost school of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, effective July 1, 2013. The appointment was made following the recently announced retirement of RADM Robert C. Olsen, Jr. USCG (Ret.), who will have filled this role for eight years. “Keith was a natural choice for us. His professional business experience will help open doors for our students as well as for fundraising,” stated John Russell, Chair of the Search Committee. “Keith is highly regarded throughout the marine industry and will be an asset to Webb Institute,” added outgoing President Olsen. Webb also announced that, effective immediately, Mr.

The California State University Board of Trustees has named Thomas A. Cropper, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy, as president of California Maritime Academy. "I am pleased and honored to be chosen as the next president of the California Maritime Academy, and look forward to working closely with the exceptional students, staff and faculty," said Cropper. Cropper was among the finalists for the position to succeed retiring President William B. Eisenhardt, who has served as president since 2001. He is expected to begin in his new role as president on July 1 following retirement from active duty.

The California State University Board of Trustees will begin the search next month for a new president of the California Maritime Academy to succeed  President William B. Eisenhardt, who is retiring after serving as president of the university since 2001. The first meeting of the search committee will be held in an open forum from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, March 7 at the Rizza Auditorium on the Cal Maritime campus, followed by a closed meeting of the committee at 1 p.m. This is the only meeting of the committee that is an open meeting. CSU Trustee Peter Mehas will chair the Trustees’ Committee for the Selection of the President. The other trustee members of the selection committee include Steven Glazer, Bob Linscheid and Henry Mendoza, as well as Trustee Chair Herbert L.

Singapore-based container shipping group, Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), has appointed David Lim as group president and CEO. Lim will assume his new role on July 10, where he will join Group CFO Lim How Teck as an executive director on the NOL Board. Lim has experience in both the public and private sectors, including as CEO of the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA), where he initiated the global expansion of the world leading transportation hub with the acquisition of the Dalian Port in China; as CEO of China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park in China, CEO of Jurong Town Corporation and most recently as a Singapore Government Cabinet Minister.

The State University of New York Board of Trustees on June 30 unanimously appointed Rear Admiral Wendi Carpenter, USN, president of State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College. Admiral Carpenter is currently serving as the Commander of the Navy’s Warfare Development Command. The SUNY Board of Trustees voted on her appointment at a special meeting held on Thursday, June 30, 2011. Rear Admiral Carpenter is the first woman to serve as president of  SUNY Maritime College. Speaking of the newly appointed SUNY Maritime College president, SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher  said, “Admiral Carpenter’s 30-plus years of naval experience and leadership make her ideally suited to be the next president of SUNY Maritime…

On July 27, 2011, the U.S. Naval Institute (USNI) begins an important new chapter with the appointment of Vice Admiral Peter H. Daly, U.S. Navy (Ret.) as the professional society’s Chief Executive Officer. Daly served from August 2008 until June 2011 as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. He brings more than 30 years experience as a commissioned naval officer, to include command of the destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59); Commander, Destroyer Squadron 31; and Commander, Carrier Strike Group 11. He has also served as Deputy for Resources and Acquisition (J-8), Office, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and as Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy.

Gary Frommelt, Hornblower Marine Services, Elizabeth, Ind., was elected 2003 PVA President on February 18 during the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2003 held in Long Beach, CA. Other officers elected were PVA Vice President, David B. Clark, Golden Gate Ferry , Larkspur, CA, and PVA Secretary-Treasurer, Cornel Martin, Delta Queen Steamboat Company, New Orleans, LA. Frommelt serves as project manager for Hornblower Marine Services as director of marine operations for Caesars Indiana-home to the largest riverboat casino in the world. Frommelt was most recently PVA Vice President, has served on the PVA Board of Directors since 1996, and has been a long-term member of the Safety Committee.

Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) Chairman Dan Mecklenborg announced that an executive search has begun to identify a successor for R. Barry Palmer, WCI President/CEO, who has announced his intention to retire at the end of this year. WCI’s Executive Committee has retained JDG Associates, Ltd., , to conduct the national search for a successor for Mr. Palmer. A search committee to evaluate both internal and external candidates, led by Chairman Mecklenborg, has been organized and is composed of WCI Executive Committee members Rick Calhoun…