By Tony Munoz

Phillip C. Allen has served as Port Director for Port Everglades Department of Broward County since January 2006. Prior to that, he was Interim Port Director in 2001 and 2002. Responsible for overseeing the port's $117 million operating budget, he also headed the 1994 transition of the former Port Authority into a department of county government. Before joining the port, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Broward County for almost 20 years.

By Joseph Keefe

In October, Managing Editor Joseph Keefe went to Harvey, Louisiana to visit a company with one of the better-known names in the U.S. Gulf Coast marine industry. And while many in the business know about Harvey Gulf and what it does, very few have the full picture of where this unique, family-run firm came from and how they did it. It is a fascinating story, but the best may be yet to come. Its plans for the future may take you by surprise, but after reading the comments of Harvey Gulf's senior leadership it will all probably make perfect sense. Read on to see why.

By Joseph Keefe

There are arguably no hotter issues confronting today's marine vessel operator than managing the changing face of the 21st century mariner, navigating the regulatory environment that is driving those changes and then integrating the two components to provide a safer and more efficient work platform. As the shipyards crank out the most efficient and modern vessels the maritime industry has ever seen, reconciling these futuristic industrial workhorses to today's mariner has already become "job one."

Randall "Ran" Blank's career at SEACOR began in 1984 when he joined Charles Fabrikant's Mississippi River barge company, SCF Corporation, as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Business prospered and soon Ran took over the presidency of the company.

By Joseph Keefe

Getting to Pascagoula, Mississippi to visit Brigadier General Boyd E. "Butch" King, U.S.A. (Ret.) was easier said than done. However, my epic journey is a story for another place and time. The mission at hand was to interview King for the shipbuilding edition of MarEx. Today, the VT Halter Shipyards story is one of resurgence and success, and VT Halter and Mr. King are only focused on the future because the past is a distant memory.

By Joseph Keefe

The past two years at Superior Offshore have brought enormous changes, exponential growth and the formulation of a grand master plan, which promises to launch this firm into the forefront of the international, deepwater-construction business. Superior is not yet the biggest of the offshore service providers, but it has long been recognized for qualities that are arguably far more important: an uncompromising commitment to corporate safety and core competencies honed though years of practice. The best may be yet to come. The second quarter of 2007 will bring the long-awaited IPO which will soon provide the launching pad from which Superior Offshore International will dive into the next big thing: the international, offshore subsea markets. A debt-free, asset-rich and supremely competent Superior Offshore will make its new debut this year. And the market is sitting up and taking notice. In our Q&A with Jim Mermis, President and CEO of Superior Offshore, he talks about where Superior has been and more importantly, where it is going. Join us as we explore the company?s exciting story.

John F. Lehman is the Managing Partner of the private equity firm J.F. Lehman & Company. The former Secretary of the United States Navy (1981 ? 1987) founded the firm in 1992, and J.F. Lehman has since completed 10 investments in 13 companies with an aggregate transaction value of about $1.3 billion. With offices in New York, Washington and London, J.F. Lehman is heavily involved in today's maritime markets. The heritage of this world-class rowing champion and Naval officer perhaps gives MarEx readers a hint of why he remains close to the water and, more importantly, where he might go from here. We caught up with Dr. Lehman in January in his New York office. His candid remarks are laid out here for MarEx readers.

In October, MarEx caught up with perhaps the world?s busiest maritime executive on his planned trip to New York City. Our interview with Jacques de Chateauvieux, Chairman, President, and CEO of BOURBON, provides our readers with a unique insight into this global maritime powerhouse, including where it has come from and where it plans to be by the end of the decade. Herein is our candid and informative conversation with one of the world?s most provocative executives.

MarEx: Being an Executive Vice President at the leading international offshore marine support company provided you with the leadership experience to manage a multi-billion dollar organization. What led you into the ultra-deep waters of entrepreneurial ownership and start-up of a capital intensive business in the energy support industry?

Rigdon: In 2001 Tidewater set up an internal competition for its next CEO and future Chairman position. In the end, I was not successful in achieving this position. The executive who won this competition, Dean Taylor, decided that I should not remain in the organization, but Tidewater treated me well and was kind enough to allow me a bridge into retirement.

Admiral Thomas Collins, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, directs the department's key role in homeland security. The New Coast Guard goes forward with a new operating budget, and finally, at long last, a seat at the intelligence briefing table.

Interviews with Michael J. Siragusa, John E. Giles, Robert F. Dorn, Jerome K. Welsch, Jr., James Weakley

Craig Philip, President & CEO of Ingram Marine Group, is a hands-on executive that doesn't manage from some ivory tower, dictating policy and directing his field generals. Philip loves being in the field and rubbing elbows with his operating personnel.

Interview with Glen Paine, Executive Director of the Maritime Institute of Technolgy and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) and the Pacific Maritime Institute (PMI). These post-graduate maritime schools are considered the top merchant marine training centers in the United States.

Interview with Gerhard Kurz, Chairman and CEO of Seabulk International. Kurz is known for his tenacity and no-nonsense approach to business.

Interview with Mike Seymour, President & CEO of P&O Nedlloyd

Thomas B. Crowley, Jr. took the helm of one of the world's most recognized maritime organizations with the passing of his father in 1994. Since taking the reins, Crowley has proven himself to be a decisive leader who has stategically repositioned the company back into its core businesses.

Interview with Richard Steinke, Port Director, Port of Long Beach