John Cullather has been selected by the International Propeller Club as its new Executive Vice President and tells AJOT: “I want to expand the grass roots base of the Propeller Club to support Jones Act industries and jobs, maritime schools and education, offshore wind, ocean and inland shipping, maritime safety, the oil and gas industries and our ports.”
Rear Admiral Joel Whitehead, United States Coast Guard (Retired), International President of the Propeller Club said: “I am thrilled that our organization has brought on such a knowledgeable maritime thinker. John will help us advance the goals of the maritime industry by growing our membership, providing enhanced networking opportunities, and developing and implementing the strategic goals of the Club.”
Cullather told AJOT that he is updating the Propeller Club website to encourage participation and will expand the Club’s presence in social media such as Twitter and LinkedIn.
Cullather says encouraging younger people in the maritime industry to join the Propeller Club will be a top priority: “We need to work with our members and the maritime academies and schools to support participation by younger people as well as maritime industry growth.”
He said the Propeller Club will continue its support for the maritime industry at home and abroad.
Cullather noted on the Propeller Club website a new business opportunity for U.S. shipbuilders: “Only about a dozen ships in the world can install a wind turbine. A shortage is looming-and shipowners don’t know how big the next generation of vessels has to be…”
The Propeller Club will be focusing on new grass roots efforts at its New Orleans convention that will take place between October 14-17th. This year, the Propeller Club is celebrating its 90th anniversary with more than 80 chapters or ports, in maritime locations around the world, including almost 30 in foreign cities.
Cullather served for more than thirty-two years as a professional staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives as Staff Director of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. He was awarded the Distinguished Public Service Award from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Samuel Plimsoll Award from the editors of Professional Mariner Magazine, and the President’s Award from the National Association of Boating Safety Law Administrators.
