Tidewater CEO Steps Down; Dean Taylor Takes Over

William C. O'Malley, chairman, president and CEO of Tidewater, Inc. has officially given up his post as CEO of the New Orleans-based company - handing over the title to Dean E. Taylor.

Taylor, who has served as Tidewater's president since October 2001, when O'Malley first announced his impending retirement, began his career with Tidewater more than 20 years ago as an assistant manager in the company's Morgan City, La. office. He eventually worked his way up to executive vice president in December 2000; less than one year later it was decided that he would serve as O'Malley's successor.

O'Malley, who has been with Tidewater since 1994, will continue to serve as the company's non-executive Chairman until July 2003.