Last night, we made some waves with the women of the maritime industry!

It was an amazing night of networking and we thank all our attendees for making this inaugural event such a success!

Thanks also goes to our co-hosts, WISTA USA of Hampton Roads and the Virginia Maritime Association for their support and collaboration.

And a round of applause for our amazing sponsors!

Making Waves with Women in Maritime was presented by...

Carroll Trucking Inc.

with

MES - Nationwide Blast & Paint Rentals & Supplies

and

CROFTON
Courtney Culpepper Consulting
Tidewater Staffing

Cheers!

What a wonderful night! Thanks to everyone who attended our Summer Networking Event at Decoy's!

Special Thanks to our Sponsors!

WILDCAT PROPELLERS, INC.
Avoler Group, LLC
T. Parker Host
CROFTON
Collins Machine Works
Riverside Shipping, LLC
ILA
CMP Global
Waters Law
Hampton Roads Utility & Heavy Contractors Association
Studio Center
Virginia Maritime Association

The Propeller Club Port of Norfolk celebrated National Maritime Day virtually on May 22, 2020. As we could not gather together this year, we believed it was still important to honor those who sail the rivers and seas and keep the ships afloat. 

The one-of-a-kind virtual event included:

-Wreath Laying Ceremony (courtesy of the Virginia Pilots, McAllister Towing and Moran Towing)

-Awards and Recognitions

-Special Remarks from Members of the Maritime Community

Thank you to all who joined us. If you weren’t able to attend, you can still watch the event here:
https://youtu.be/nDLZpPjwcII

Special thanks to Primm Advertising for drone footage and video compilation.

Kevin Speers - T Parker Host

Marilynn Ryan - AW Trucking

Cynthia Gibson - Carroll Trucking  Inc.

David Carmody - Military Sealift Command

On December 10, 2019, The Propeller Club Port of Norfolk announced the Propeller Club Norfolk Judy Barrett Fund at the organization’s annual meeting.

Named in honor of the club’s long-time officer and board member, Judy Barrett, the fund will support the Nauticus Foundation’s Sail Nauticus program. Sail Nauticus serves as a community sailing center and school for a diverse group of need-based students from Hampton Roads. These students are provided an experiential form of education that develops academic, social, and leadership skills through sailing and STEM principles while introducing them to careers in the maritime industry.

For nearly 20 years, Judy has served on the Propeller Club Port of Norfolk’s board in several capacities, including board member, secretary, and advisor. She also represented the Norfolk chapter on the International Propeller Club board, where she served as regional vice president and treasurer for ten years. She has volunteered countless hours of her time to ensure the club’s success, directly impacting donations to numerous local maritime charities.

Judy is a Hampton Roads native and senior vice president of private banking for Townebank’s Norfolk corporate offices. In addition to the Propeller Club, she has served on the boards of the Virginia Maritime Association, Festevents, Nauticus, the Schooner Virginia, and Park Place School—which is a non-profit organization that benefits at-risk students. The Propeller Club Port of Norfolk established this fund in recognition of Judy’s dedication to the community and her passion for serving others.

“I am extremely honored that The Propeller Club Port of Norfolk has created an endowment in my name to ensure that local children are able to attend the Nauticus Sailing program for many years to come,” said Judy. “Without this program, many children would not be exposed to water safety, learning to sail, and establishing life skills through teamwork both on land and water. Words can’t express enough how much I appreciate this kind gift and legacy. I will treasure this always and watch it grow with contributions.”

If you are interested in contributing to the Propeller Club Norfolk Judy Barrett Fund, please contact Nauticus Development Director Rehn West at Rehn.West@norfolk.gov.

 We are pleased to welcome our newest members to the Club!

Joesph Cartoski - J-Sea Ship

Chip Chappell - CTG

Bryan Hall - Barnhart Crane & Rigging

Cody McMahan - Host Agency LLC

John Morris - EA Engineering 

Rosalie Wyatt - CCROA/Ready Community 

Leia Gramaldi - Bay Diesel

Kathy Bryan - Shipyard Staffing, LLC

Matt Carroll - Carroll Trucking Inc.

Randall Crutchfield - Colonna's Shipyard

Tiffany Curran - Primm Advertising

Prominent maritime industry stakeholder Niels Aalund has been elected President of the International Propeller Club. Mr. Aalund will serve a two-year term, commencing from October 17th. Aalund, a well-known maritime subject matter expert and executive, currently serves as an Officer and as Senior Vice-President of the West Gulf Maritime Association (WGMA). 

"I consider it a great honor and a true highlight of my career to be selected to lead such a storied group. This is an exciting time for the International Propeller Club," said Aalund, adding, "On behalf of our members worldwide I would like to thank our past President, U.S. Coast Guard RADM (ret.) Joel Whitehead, for the outstanding job he did, while at the same time, taking our International Propeller Club to a new level. "

Robert Coles - Walashek Industrial & Marine Inc.

Wiley Grandy - Crenshaw, Ware & Martin PLC 

Matthew McKeen - CMA CGM

Mike Seluga - Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. 

Rhen West - Nauticus

Ricky Wiatt - Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc.

Today’s Propeller Club, Port of Norfolk Member Spotlight is shining on Captain George E. Watkins.

Captain Watkins joined the Propeller Club, Port of Norfolk in 1962 because he “wanted to meet the movers and the shakers in the maritime community.” A mover and shaker himself, he says sharing their stories has been his favorite part of membership.

He appreciates the informality and welcoming nature of the Propeller Club events. “We have members from all parts of the maritime industry in every phase of their careers, and everyone has a friendly attitude.”

His greatest memory from his time in the Propeller Club is from 1994. Serving as the Club’s president, he received the request and granted the approval of funds to help bolster the Old Dominion University Propeller Club. Today, 25 years later, we continue our support of the ODU chapter, sharing funds and offering a variety of networking opportunities to the members.

Captain Watkins acquired his Unlimited Pilots and Master’s License in 1962 and worked as a Virginia Pilot for 42 years. During that time, he held the role of vice president of the Virginia Pilot’s Association for two years, and for almost half of his career, he worked as a special pilot for aircraft carriers and the USS Wisconsin. He also served as a member of the Board of Branch Pilots of the Commonwealth of Virginia for 20 years.

He says what he likes most about the ports of Virginia and the surrounding maritime businesses is “the way we share information and work together.”

When we asked what advice he’d give to anyone just now starting their maritime career, he said:

“Never tell someone you’ll have their cargo there tomorrow.
Never tell an untruth. You are only as good as your word.
Stay on your side of the channel.
And keep a bright stern light.”

In addition to the Propeller Club, Captain Watkins has also been a member of the following organizations:

• Virginia Conference on World Trade (Past Chairman)
• Portsmouth Museums Foundation (Past President)
• Virginia Maritime Association (Board of Directors, 1989 to present)
• Society of Maritime Industries
• Portsmouth Port and Industrial Commission

Throughout his career, he has received several awards, including:

• Lifetime Membership Award for Outstanding Service to the Organization, Virginia Maritime Association (2019)
• The Alli Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Cultural Life of Greater Hampton Roads, Cultural Alliance of Hampton Roads (2006)
• The Eure Award for Outstanding Maritime Professionalism, The Propeller Club Port of Norfolk (2000)
• Maritime Person of the Year, Hampton Roads Global Commerce Club (1999)
• Professionalism in the Maritime Industry Award, Society of Maritime Industries (1998)

Hear more stories and advice from Captain Watkins at one of our networking events! View our calendar and membership opportunities here: http://propellerclubnorfolk.org/events