Maritime Leadership News

Guice Offshore, a leader in the offshore maritime mini supply vessel specialty market, announced the appointment of veteran energy finance executive Trey Stolz as Chief Financial Officer. Stolz brings more than 20 years of experience as an investment banker and equity research analyst focused on the oilfield services industry. He has spent the past nine years in senior operational roles within the sector, most recently serving as CFO for a consolidator of oilfield services companies.

The Transportation Institute (TI), representing U.S.-flag American shipping companies, announced the appointment of Sara Fuentes as President of the organization. Fuentes previously served as the organization’s Vice President for Government Affairs and will lead TI’s continued work to advance a strong U.S.-flag merchant marine and a resilient American maritime workforce.“I am honored by the confidence of the board and grateful for Jim Henry’s extraordinary leadership. TI has long been a leading voice for the U.S.-flag maritime industry and the American merchant marine.

Ship technology pioneer EcoNavis Solutions has appointed Neil Logan as Executive Chair, formalizing a more hands-on leadership role as the company prepares to scale up operations and expand across global maritime markets.Logan has been involved with EcoNavis since the company’s formal University spinout in August 2025. His initial advisory role has now transitioned into an executive position, reflecting both the company’s progress and the increasing operational demands associated with scaling technologies internationally.With experience in building and expanding technology-led businesses…

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Sang Yi as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective May 4.Most recently, Yi served as Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD), where he oversaw key programs supporting the nation’s commercial and strategic maritime infrastructure. Before his appointment to MARAD, Yi served in the U.S. House of Representatives for almost a decade and a half. Prior to his congressional career, he served in the Intelligence Community.

ABS has appointed U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral (Retired) Ronald J. Rábago as Senior Vice President of Government Services.“Admiral Rábago brings exceptional government and industry experience that will further enhance the support we provide to our government clients in the U.S. and around the world,” said John McDonald, ABS Chairman and CEO. “His leadership and deep expertise across shipbuilding, acquisition and fleet lifecycle management as well as marine safety, security and…

Regal Rexnord Corporation announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Aamir Paul to serve as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), commencing no later than July 1, 2026, upon the conclusion of his responsibilities with his current employer, Schneider Electric SE. The Board has also determined that Mr. Paul will serve as a member of the Board of Directors effective upon the commencement of his employment with the Company, with an initial term continuing until the Company's 2027 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.As previously disclosed on October 29…

On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF) recognized Indiana Senator Todd Young for his commitment to the Great Lakes Navigation System and the nation’s maritime revitalization.“Senator Young understands the importance of U.S. shipping on the Great Lakes with interconnected harbors that depend on each other and a healthy maritime highway. He has advocated for another heavy U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker on the Lakes fully comprehending the importance…

A Taiwan-based NYK Group ship-management company, NiMiC Ship Management Co., Ltd. (NiMiC), has appointed Louise Lin (Lin Yi-chun) as captain of Taitar No. 4., a NiMiC-managed liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier and she assumed her duties. This milestone marks the first time a woman has been named captain of an LNG carrier within the NYK Group.Lin began her maritime career at NiMiC as a deck cadet in 2011 and advanced to full-time service as a third officer on an LNG carrier managed by NiMiC in 2015.

Jones Walker LLP has welcomed Kelly Haas as partner and associate Hayley Stancil as members of the Maritime Practice Group in the firm’s Houston office. Kelly represents vessel owners, charters, shipyards, offshore operators, and energy clients regarding collisions, property damage, personal injury, pollution, environmental, cargo, insurance, construction, and contract claims related to the Jones Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, OPA 90, Limitation of Liability, COGSA, and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.

Cellula Robotics has announced the appointment of Colleen Hahn as Vice President, Technology Transfer and Strategy, strengthening the company's senior leadership team as it continues to expand its presence in the United States and advance its global growth strategy.In her new role, Hahn will focus primarily on the United States market while supporting Cellula's wider global strategy through market intelligence, customer engagement, strategic outreach, and partnership development across the company's subsidiaries and partner network.Hahn brings experience in partnership development…

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. announced that Mr. Eli Glickman, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, informed the Board of Directors of his decision to depart from the Company. Mr.Glickman will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company during a six-month notice period, to ensure orderly operations of the Company during the interim period until his replacement assumes the role.The Board of Directors intends to initiate a search process to select a successor to Mr. Glickman in the coming weeks.Mr.

RightShip, a maritime digital platform for safety, sustainability, and supply chain risk management and assurance, continues to strengthen its leadership team as part of its ongoing evolution and growth strategy.Over recent years, RightShip has expanded beyond its traditional strengths in vetting and inspections to deliver more connected, insight-led, and customer-centric solutions to the maritime supply chain. As the organization evolves, building the rightl eadership capability remains central to enabling this transformation.As part of this evolution…

Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) announced that George Whittier is returning to lead FMD as its Chief Executive Officer. Across the defense and industrial sectors, Whittier is recognized as a trusted and highly respected leader. Having spent more than a decade at FMD, including six years as its CEO, Whittier is situated to lead the company through this pivotal period as he brings a deep understanding of the business and its critical role within the defense industrial base. “Fairbanks Morse has been integral to America’s industrial and defense strength for more than a century…

ClassNK has carried out a regular reshuffle of its full-time executives effective March 17, 2026. Yoshifumi Miyatake has been appointed as Senior Executive Vice President, and current Corporate Officer Toshio Kurashiki has been appointed as Executive Auditor. President & CEO Hayato Suga, Executive Vice President Masaki Matsunaga, Yoshiya Yamaguchi, and Fumihiko Higashi continue in their current roles.Former Senior Executive Vice President Junichiro Iida, Executive Vice President Toshiro Arima, and Executive Auditor Katsuhide Kuno have assumed the position of Advisor to the Society.

The Greater Houston Port Bureau Board of Directors has announced the promotion of Corrina Ott to Vice President. Ott joined the Port Bureau in April 2025 and has been responsible for managing the Port Bureau’s Efficiency and Dredging Committee’s as well as maintaining the Port Bureau’s links with industry and Federal Partners. Additionally, she provides support for the Houston Ship Channel Security District and the Marine Exchange of Texas.Ott’s previous USCG experience includes certification as a Marine Safety Professional…

Prysmian, a leader in energy and data wire and cabling solutions, recently announced changes to its leadership structure in North America to further strengthen the company’s market position in the region. 2025 marked the best year yet for Prysmian, with global revenues reaching USD$23.08 billion (€20 billion). North America’s net profit exceeded $9 billion, accounting for 40% of the company’s total sales. Over the past two years, Prysmian’s North American footprint has grown through the acquisitions of Encore Wire and Channell…

HII announced the selection of two vice presidents at its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division. Christie Miller has been promoted to the role of vice president of communications and Christian Ortego will join the division as vice president and NNS chief counsel.In her new role, Miller will have responsibility for internal and executive communications, special events and protocol, and tradeshows and tours for NNS.Starting her career with the company in 2011, Miller has held positions of increasing responsibility…

Following three consecutive years of revenue growth and expanding international demand for efficient offshore power delivery, Verlume is evolving its leadership structure to support its next phase of global expansion transitioning from technology commercialization to global scale-up.After founding Verlume and leading the company as CEO for 13 years, Richard Knox will transition into the role of Founder-CTO. In this position he will focus on customer engagement, innovation and technology strategy.

Island Marine Electric has appointed marine technology sales veteran Doug Bennis as Vice President of Sales & Marketing.Bennis brings experience in the maritime and satellite communications industries, where he has led global sales initiatives, developed strategic channel partnerships, and driven revenue growth across commercial and recreational marine markets. With a career rooted in marine connectivity and technology solutions, he has built a reputation for aligning evolving onboard systems with customer and vessel requirements in an increasingly connected marine environment.In his new role…

At this year’s annual Legislative Summit, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) proudly named U.S. Representative Mike Ezell (MS-04) as the 2026 Port Person of the Year for his commitment to the seaport and maritime industry. AAPA celebrates his leadership as a champion of many port industry priorities, including his advocacy for the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 and his efforts to incentivize the reshoring of port crane manufacturing to the U.S."It is…

The Supervisory Board of AS Tallink Grupp has appointed Peep Jalakas as the new Chairman of the Management Board of the Group. His term will begin on April 6, 2026, and will last for three years. As of tomorrow, February 27, Margus Schults will step down from the Group’s Management Board and will continue working in the company as the head of the Finnish unit. Jalakas has been a member of the Management Board of AS SEB Pank and Head of Corporate Banking since 2023. Over the past 20 years…

The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority has elected Governor Tate Reeves of Mississippi to serve as Chairman for 2026. Governor Reeves will lead the four-state interstate compact as it advances economic development, freight mobility, and recreation along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and the broader M-65 Marine Highway corridor.The M-65 Marine Highway is a federally designated inland waterway corridor extending from Paducah, Kentucky, to the Port of Mobile, Alabama…

Boksa Marine Design (BMD), a full-service naval architecture and marine engineering firm based in Tampa, announced a strategic leadership transition and the opening of a new Fort Lauderdale, FL, office.After more than 20 years as Founder and President, Nick Boksa will transition into the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Senior Engineer. In this capacity, Boksa will focus on technical leadership, complex engineering initiatives, and guiding the firm’s long-term direction.Jeff Kuenning has been appointed President of BMD.