Lockport, La•., Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. announces the appointment of Charles “Skip” Bowen as Program Manager for the FRC “Sentinel” Class Patrol Boat building program at Bollinger’s Lockport facility.
Mr. Bowen joins Bollinger 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. His various duties included service on the senior Flag level Leadership Council, multiple policy and resource decision making bodies and service as a member of the Board of Trustees at the Coast Guard Academy.
Mr. Bowen also has extensive experience with USCG Patrol boat programs, having sailed on five different patrol boats during his military career, including the first 110-ft Island Class cutter, “FARALLON“, and the second 87-ft Marine Protector Class cutter “USCGC HAMMERHEAD” as the Officer In Charge. Both of these vessels were built at Bollinger, at which time Mr. Bowen was based out of the Lockport facility for over ten months, and became very familiar with the Bollinger organization.
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 new construction of Bollinger Shipyards said, “Skip’s extensive Coast Guard experience and proven leadership abilities will help to support Bollinger in delivering the highest of quality Fast Response Cutters to the USCG”.
Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., (www.bollingershipyards.com) owns and operates twelve 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 31 dry-docks in Louisiana and Texas.
