Texas Tech University News

Jeffrey G. Sipes has been named chief executive officer at engineering and construction firm S&B, parent company to naval architecture and marine engineering firm TAI Engineers.“S&B has a remarkable record of growth and success over the past sixty years, and we look forward to decades of further success. The markets we serve are changing, creating new opportunities for growth. Jeff is the leader who can successfully guide the company to capitalize on these opportunities. He brings extensive experience and a deep understanding of both S&B’s markets and the company’s distinctive capabilities…

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.

Maine Maritime Academy faculty member, Dr. George Harakas, has coauthored a patent with colleague and business partner, Scott Eaton, for glycerol-containing fuel aimed at reducing emissions in large diesel engines. The two are members of the SeaChange Group LLC a private company formed in 2009 to develop low-emissions fuels. They recently received notice from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that patent # 8,679,202 was formally issued. SeaChange Group (SCG), headquartered in Brunswick, is an entrepreneurial high-tech start-up with strong ties to Maine Maritime Academy. The company is developing Eco-Hybrid fuel technology, a low-cost, low-emissions “drop-in” fuel for marine, rail and power-generation industries.

Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) apprises that faculty member, Dr. George Harakas, has co-authored a patent with colleague and business partner, Scott Eaton, for glycerol-containing fuel aimed at reducing emissions in large diesel engines. The two are members of the SeaChange Group LLC a private company formed in 2009 to develop low-emissions fuels. They recently received notice from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that patent # 8,679,202 was formally issued. The Academy explains that SeaChange Group (SCG)…

Attorney Stephen H. DonCarlos was appointed to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority by the Harris County Mayors and Councils Association on Sept. 19. The Harris County Mayors and Councils Association is an organization representing 26 cities in Harris County. Port Commissioners serve two-year terms without pay. DonCarlos was named to the seat previously held by Jimmy Burke. Burke  had served as Port Commissioner since 1999. An attorney with Reid, Strickland & Gillette, L.L.P., DonCarlos was elected as Mayor of the City of Baytown in May 2006.

Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano presented the Panama Canal Expansion Program during his recent visit to Lamar University, in Beaumont, Texas. During the conference, Quijano highlighted the impact of the Panama Canal Expansion on the U.S. Gulf ports, focusing on those located in Texas. “An important number of the vessels of various segments that transit the Canal today have as port of origin or destination the U.S. Gulf ports. Furthermore, once the Panama Canal Expansion…

H2O, Inc., a leading water system equipment provider, has named David N. Dixon Project Manager, announced H2O President Jess Fike. Based in Lafayette, La., Dixon’s responsibilities include project management and scheduling for complex engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) projects; as well as overseeing day-to-day activities. He will also be tasked with guiding new product development efforts. “Creating this position will allow us to better manage high-specification projects and raise the bar on completing projects on-time and under-budget,” said Fike.

To put its marine insurance experience closer to their clients, agents and brokers, the Marine insurance unit at XL Group plc (NYSE: XL) announced additional underwriting appointments further establishing its inland marine field operation. XL’s new Inland Marine Field team includes Michael Perrotti, Senior Vice President, Marine Field Operations based in Cleveland, Ken Mueller, Regional Vice President in Atlanta, and Ryan Faris, Marine Underwriter in New York. According to Richard DeSimone, President of XL’s US Ocean and Inland Marine unit, “New York, Cleveland and Atlanta are key trading hubs. With these appointments, we’re putting our inland marine underwriting expertise out in our key markets and in closer proximity to our clients.

Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG) (SIX: RIGN) announced today that Rob Shaw has been appointed to serve as Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer, effective December 1, 2011. Until Mr. Shaw assumes this position, Robert L. Herrin, Jr. will serve as interim Vice President and Controller and Ricardo H. Rosa, the company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will serve as interim Principal Accounting Officer. Mr. Herrin has served as the company’s Vice President of Internal Audit since 2007, but will not act in that capacity during the period that he serves as interim Vice President and Controller. Mr. Shaw, age 48, has served as Vice President and Treasurer since joining the company in July 2010. Previously, Mr.

Tidewater Inc. (NYSE: TDW) announced that Deborah Willingham has joined Tidewater as Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. Willingham will report to Chairman, President and CEO Dean Taylor, and will be responsible for worldwide Human Resources for the company. Willingham joins Tidewater with over 25 years of Human Resource experience, most recently as Vice President of Human Resources for BMC Software, which she joined in 2006. Prior to that, she had similar responsibilities with Hewlett Packard, Compaq Computers and Motorola.

W&T Offshore, Inc. announced the appointment of Karen S. Acree as Vice President and Controller. John D. Gibbons, the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has assumed the additional position of Chief Accounting Officer. William W. Talafuse, formerly Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, has accepted other duties with the Company. Acree has 25 years of public company accounting and financial reporting experience, including most recently as Vice President and Controller of Bois d'Arc Energy, Inc. an NYSE-traded company. Prior to joining Bois d'Arc, Ms. Acree was with Global Santa Fe Corporation, beginning her career there in 1982, holding the position of Assistant Controller at the time she left the company in March 2006. She earned a B.B.A.