Shipbuilders Council Names McCreary Chairman

At its annual spring meeting in Washington, D.C. this week, the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), the national trade association representing the U.S. shipyard industry, named Richard McCreary of BAE Systems as the new chairman of the association.

Additionally, SCA honored Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) as recipients of its Maritime Leadership Award, recognizing the two for their demonstrated dedication and support of the U.S. shipbuilding and repair industry.

“Sen. Cochran, through his leadership on the Senate Appropriations Committee, understands the unique challenges facing the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard and has provided a steady voice on the importance for consistent funding in both shipbuilding and repair accounts.  Rep. Hunter is deeply knowledgeable about the economic impact of the U.S. shipyard industry and has been a vocal advocate for this industry through his role as Chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Subcommittee on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. The respective support demonstrated by Sen. Cochran and Rep. Hunter have been invaluable to our industry and we are honored to work with them as we continue to promote policies and priorities that strengthen U.S. national and economic security,” said SCA President, Matthew Paxton. 

In addition to the leadership awards, SCA also named industry veteran Richard McCreary of BAE Systems as its new chairman and honored 12 member shipyards with safety awards. 

“It is critically important that all Members of Congress and those in the Administration understand the vital role of the U.S shipbuilding and repair industry to U.S. national, economic and homeland security. Overall the shipbuilding and repair industry, which provides more than 400,000 jobs nationwide, sustains the critical industrial base that enables the U.S. build and repair its own fleet of commercial and military vessels. I am honored to have been selected to serve as chairman of SCA for the next two years,” McCreary said.

The awards were presented during the SCA annual meeting in Washington, D.C held over two days and featured remarks from additional Congressional and Administration officials. Nearly 100 participants from the industry convened to discuss the status of the U.S. shipbuilding and repair industry and to bring awareness to Members of Congress regarding the industry’s role in national and economic security.