Capt. Richard Phillips, Vigor Industrial CEO and MARAD Administrator to Present Keynote Addresses During 2014 International WorkBoat Show and Conference in New Orleans, December 3-5

    NEW ORLEANS, LA, October 08, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- One was captured by Somali pirates and was the subject of a very successful movie starring Tom Hanks. One is a CEO of a Northwest shipyard with eight locations, over 1,800 employees and annual revenues of more than $500 million. One is the top ranking official at the U.S. agency that deals with all waterborne transportation.

And they all will be presenting keynote addresses during the 2014 International WorkBoat Show and Conference, which will be held in New Orleans Morial Convention Center from Wednesday, December 3, through Friday, December 5.

"We are very excited to have the participation of Capt. Richard Phillips, Vigor Industrial's Frank Foti and Paul Jaenichen, MARAD Administrator, at this year's WorkBoat Show," said Bob Callahan, Show Director. The International WorkBoat Show is North America's largest commercial marine trade show and conference and is produced by Diversified Communications. "This is a tremendous opportunity for participants to hear from three outstanding leaders in the maritime industry."

There is no cost to attend the keynote addresses and to view the exhibit hall if attendees register before December 3. Registration after that date is $50 per person.

Capt. Richard Phillips
11:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 3
Keynote Stage
Sponsored by: RSCBiosolutions

For five days in April 2009, the world was glued to their TV screens as Capt. Richard Phillips became the center of an extraordinary international drama when he was captured by Somali pirates who hijacked his ship, the first hijacking of a U.S. ship in more than 200 years.

President Barack Obama, who spoke with Capt. Phillips by phone after he was freed, said, "I share the country's admiration for the bravery of Capt. Phillips and his selfless concern for his crew. His courage is a model for all Americans." Capt. Richard Phillips is the author of A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea, about his experience and his remarkable rescue. This dramatic story also made it to the big screen as a movie titled "Captain Phillips."

Capt. Phillips is a graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy a member of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots Union, and a licensed American merchant mariner. He became Captain of the MV Maersk Alabama in 2009.

Frank Foti
President and CEO, Vigor Industrial
11:30 a.m., Thursday, December 4
Keynote Stage

With eight locations in Washington, Oregon and Alaska, Vigor Industrial is the leading provider of shipbuilding, ship repair, and other industrial services in the Pacific Northwest. Foti is the President and CEO of the privately held company and is also serving his second term as Chairman of the Shipbuilders Council of America, which represents 41 companies that own and operate over 120 shipyard facilities.

Foti will provide a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the shipbuilding industry. "The U.S. shipyard industrial base that includes shipbuilders, ship repairers, machinery and components suppliers, and various other associated companies, has met many challenges from building the most sophisticated and complex Navy and Coast Guard in the world to building and maintaining the critical commercial vessels that keep domestic commerce and trade moving as a maritime nation," he said.

During his nearly 20-years at the helm of Vigor, Foti has grown the company from a single Portland shipyard to operations throughout the Northwest, with more than $500 million in annual revenue. Looking ahead, he aims to grow the company to more than $1 billion in annual revenue and has plans to expand well beyond the West Coast.

Paul Jaenichen
Maritime Administrator,
U.S. Department of Transportation
2:30 p.m., Thursday, December 4
Keynote Stage

Paul "Chip" Jaenichen was appointed by President Obama and sworn in as Maritime Administrator on July 25, 2014. Before his appointment, Administrator Jaenichen served as Acting Administrator beginning in June 2013. He joined the U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration in July 2012 when he was appointed Deputy Maritime Administrator.

Capt. Jaenichen was a career naval officer, retiring in 2012 after serving 30 years as nuclear trained Submarine Officer in the U.S. Navy. His final assignment was as Deputy Chief of Legislative Affairs for the Department of the Navy from October 2010 to April 2012.

The Maritime Administration works in many areas involving ships and shipping, shipbuilding, port operations, vessel operations, national security, environment, and safety. The Maritime Administration is also charged with maintaining the health of the merchant marine, since commercial mariners, vessels, and intermodal facilities are vital for supporting national security, and so the agency provides support and information for current mariners, extensive support for educating future mariners, and programs to educate America's young people about the vital role the maritime industry plays in the lives of all Americans.

International WorkBoat Show and Annual Conference 2014
"The WorkBoat Show and Annual Conference continues to be the premier marketplace for businesses working on the coastal, inland and offshore waters," said Callahan, who noted that "Tradeshow Week" ranks the Show as one of the Top 200 largest U.S. trade shows.

Callahan said last year's WorkBoat Show was a record setter, attracting 1,100 exhibitors and more than 14,500 visitors from 45 states and 27 countries.

Registration for the WorkBoat Show and Annual Conference is available at www.workboatshow.com.

About the WorkBoat Show
The International WorkBoat Show is part of the Diversified Communications portfolio of commercial marine events, publications and e-media products. The WorkBoat brand has been connecting qualified buyers with leading suppliers for more than 45 years. In print through WorkBoat magazine, online at WorkBoat.com, and face to-face at the WorkBoat Show & Annual Conference, WorkBoat delivers high quality information to all segments of the commericial marine industry in North America.

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