News: Newport Shipyard Announces Promotions

Bruce Brown, Chief Operating Officer, announced a number of new staff appointments at the Newport Shipyard. The shipyard is expanding its management team so that the yard can better handle an influx of new work. Mr. Brown said, "These senior staff appointments greatly enhance the shipyard's ability to successfully contract and manage both yacht and commercial work."

Mark Mutty, with over 28 years in the boating industry and well versed in both yacht and commercial applications of yacht repair and maintenance, is the Yard Manager for the shipyard. He was previously Facilities/Yard Manager for Hinckley Yacht Services (formerly Little Harbor Marine) and for Newport Offshore Ltd. A lifelong resident of Portsmouth, R.I. Mark has been involved in three America's Cup Campaigns.

Ann Souder, the Director of Marketing, has been a consultant on marketing and promotions to the super yacht industry. She has over 25 year's experience in marketing both in the U.S. and Europe. In addition to her marketing responsibilities, she will coordinate the various special events that take place at the shipyard.

Captain Tom Donovan is the Commercial Projects Manager. He holds a 1,600-ton Master's License and has 27 year's experience in the commercial fishing industry throughout the world. His duties include the recruitment of new commercial work, project management and liaison between the commercial industry and the shipyard.

Michael Ashby, a native of Argentina, is the Shipyard's Yacht Designer and a Project Manager, currently supervising the ongoing conversion of a 105 ft. tug to a yacht. As a designer he has worked for German Frers Design Studio in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Ted Hood Design Group in Portsmouth; and Little Harbor Custom Yachts where he was involved in the production of the Little Harbor Whisper-jet Power Boat Series. Michael has considerable sailing experience culminating in 10 years as a professional sailor in the maxi class. Newport Shipyard, located on Newport Harbor, offers a 1,300-ton marine railway that will accommodate yachts up to 400 ft., a 330-ton and a 70-ton Travelift.