(ALAMEDA, Calif.) — Herbert Engineering Corp. (HEC) has appointed Hendrik Bruhns as company president. Bruhns succeeds Spencer Schilling, who will formally step down on July 1.
Spencer, who has worked for HEC for 38 years, 14 of them as president, is happy to pass the torch to the next generation. “I have been privileged to work with a very talented team here at HEC and our wonderful clients trusted us with interesting and challenging work,” he said. “We have capable and experienced staff and Hendrik is the perfect person to lead this group into a very exciting future and a continuation of the HEC legacy.”
Spencer will remain as a member of the HEC board of directors and remain active in the company, although at reduced levels, to further support Bruhns through the transition of management duties and client relationships.
Bruhns, a trained naval architect, served 11 years as president of the HEC affiliate and maritime software firm, Herbert-ABS Software Solutions LLC. He was responsible for all aspects of marketing and operations and successfully improved the customer experience, reinforced the organization’s financial strength and guided investment in new digital capabilities.
He started his professional career at MEC Marine Equipment & Consulting, working on container cell guides and lashing equipment. Later he joined the Stability Department of Germanischer Lloyd — heading the department from 2002-2008 — where he oversaw planning, approval, coordination and implementation of ship safety and environmental protection projects, particularly intact and damage stability, ballast water management, fuel tank protection and collision strength.
Bruhns had been serving as an executive vice president and manager of business development for HEC since Jan. 1. His focus will be the continuation of HEC’s offerings in naval architecture, consulting services for ship-design and vessel acquisition, structural and ship stability analysis, and risk-and-repair assessments. He will also continue to serve Herbert-ABS Software Solutions LLC as board director, and when necessary, will support Michael Newton, recently appointed as president of the software company. HEC’s 50 percent stake in Herbert-ABS Software Solutions make their relationship unique in the industry as a marine software and engineering firm.
“The success of Herbert Engineering Corp. is due to the work culture driven by employee ownership, combined with the mentorship of its up-and-coming talent,” Bruhns said. “These knowledge-sharing investments ensure the success of next-generation leaders.”
– Herbert Engineering
