USA: Bollinger Shipyards Appoints New Vice President Government Relations

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. has appointed Charles “Skip” Bowen as Vice President Government Relations. Mr. Bowen joined Bollinger in April 2011 as Program Manager for the FRC “Sentinel” Class Patrol Boat building program at Bollinger’s Lockport facility, following a very successful 32 year career with the United States Coast Guard, culminating with the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, from 2006 to 2010. As the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, Skip served as a senior advisor to the Commandant of the Coast Guard.

The Vice President Government Relations is based at the corporate office in Lockport, Louisiana reporting directly to the Executive Vice President of Bollinger Shipyards New Construction, Chris Bollinger. Bowen’s duties include interfacing with current Coast Guard customers and assisting with Coast Guard, Navy, and other government agency customer outreach. He will serve on Bollinger’s quality, production, and business development management teams providing valuable insight to customer requirements, fleet introduction of Bollinger products, training and lifetime logistic support.

Mr. Bowen graduated with distinction from the U. S. Army Sergeants Major Academy and has been awarded numerous awards and medals, including the Distinguished Service Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, four Commendation Medals and three Achievement medals. He holds a BS degree from Excelsior College, an MBA from Touro University International, and a Project Management Professional certification from PMI.

Chris Bollinger, Executive Vice President of New Construction for Bollinger Shipyards said, “Skip’s extensive Coast Guard experience and proven leadership abilities have proven invaluable as we have built the first Fast Response Cutters. In the future, his in-depth understanding of what the Government customer needs will prove even more valuable as we look toward the Coast Guard’s future Offshore Patrol Cutter contract and other potential Government programs.”

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., owns and operates ten shipyards strategically located between New Orleans and Houston with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi River and Intracoastal Waterway. Bollinger is a leading provider of new construction and other services to offshore energy, commercial and government marine markets and is the largest vessel repair/conversion company in the Gulf of Mexico region with a total of 28 dry-docks in Louisiana and Texas.

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Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, August 10, 2012; Image: bollingershipyards