OMSA Enters Leadership Transition

The Offshore Marine Service Association announced that it will begin a transition of leadership. Several months ago, President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Adams informed the OMSA Board of Directors that he would be stepping down by the end of the year to manage a startup business that he and his partners have developed in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.

“Jim has done an outstanding job and he will be genuinely missed. He has expertly guided OMSA through some difficult waters. However, I am pleased that he and the Board have had the opportunity to plan for a smooth transition of leadership,” said OMSA Chairman Robert Clemons.

Clemons added, “I am extremely pleased to announce that Ben Billings has been selected to assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer. Ben will join OMSA on November 1, 2013 for a month of transition work and begin his role as President and CEO on December 2, 2013.” Billings comes to OMSA from Washington, D.C. where he has worked for the past nine years on maritime issues in the U.S. Senate for Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

“The offshore marine service industry continues to innovate and build, create new jobs, and grow our economy. By providing a critical lifeline to America’s offshore energy, OMSA’s members play an indispensable role in powering our nation, and it will be my privilege to represent and serve them,” Billings said. “I thank Jim Adams for his counsel and support and commend him for his considerable achievements at OMSA’s helm. I look forward to building upon those efforts in continued partnership with the maritime community, and I thank the members of the Board of Directors for the opportunity to lead this organization and advance its mission.”

Jim Adams said, “Leading OMSA has been a highlight in my career. I will be forever grateful to the Board for the opportunity they provided me over three years ago and the support I have received every day of my service to OMSA members. I am extremely proud of my OMSA colleagues whose talents serve our membership so well. I have made so many good friends and together we achieved real progress, most notably on fighting the Administration’s offshore drilling moratorium, repealing the Coast Guard’s flawed Notice of Arrival regulation, and taking a leadership position in the American Maritime Partnership (AMP) to strengthen the U.S. maritime industry. The Board made a smart choice in selecting Ben Billings. Ben will take OMSA to the next level and he has my full support.”

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