The 2018 National Maritime Awards Dinner Mayflower Hotel • Washington, DC • 25 April 2018
It is with great excitement that Dr. Timothy Runyan and Denise Krepp, co-chairs for the 2018 National Maritime Awards Dinner, announce that the National Coast Guard Museum Association is our new partner in the gala event. The dinner will be held once again in the historic Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC, next April, and, with the new partnership, it will have the added benefit of supporting the development of the new museum, which will tell the incredible history of the US Coast Guard. Ground has been broken for the facility on the New London waterfront in the same homeport as the US Coast Guard Academy and its square-rigged training ship, the barque Eagle. Additionally, holding a prestigious maritime awards dinner in the nation’s capital gives us an opportunity to advocate for federal funding for the many and diverse maritime heritage organizations—so we are indeed excited. We will honor three extraordinary people at the dinner, and I do not use that term lightly. J. Willard Marriott Jr. served as executive chairman and chairman of the board of Marriott International, Inc., after serving as CEO for forty years, before stepping down in March 2012. He built the company into a global business with more than 4,200 properties in eighty countries, and approximately 365,000 employees. Mr. Marriott served as a supply officer aboard USS Randolph during the Vietnam War, which he calls a great learning experience that helped launch his hospitality career. Marriott International has a “Spirit to Serve” philosophy, fostered by Bill Marriott, to provide extensive corporate support to America’s returning veterans.
J. Willard Marriott
William C. Baker is the president and CEO of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the largest non-profit conservation organization dedicated solely to preserving and restoring the Chesapeake Bay. With more than 200,000 members, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation is a fierce advocate working to protect and restore a national treasure and integral part of America’s maritime heritage through advocacy, education, litigation, and restoration. Mr. Baker is focused on one goal— “Saving the Bay”—by achieving a clean, healthy, and productive estuarine system that will serve as a model for other marine conservation organizations worldwide. Mr. Baker is the recipient of the Washingtonian of the Year Award, as well as the 1992 Presidential Medal for Environmental Excellence, the nation’s highest environmental honor.
Donald T. “Boysie” Bollinger, chairman and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., will receive the National Coast Guard Museum Association’s Alexander Hamilton Award. After a long career providing quality construction of vessels for both military and civilian use, Mr. Bollinger continues to be recognized for his generosity and philanthropic giving to maritime William C. Baker heritage preservation and organizations. His influence and dedication have benefited many groups, most especially the United States Coast Guard Foundation and the National World War II Museum. For his unwavering support, the National Coast Guard Museum Association is honored to recognize this icon within the maritime industry. Former United States Secretary of Homeland Security and Governor of Pennsylvania Tom Ridge will present the award to Boysie Bollinger. Gary Jobson, America’s Cup champion and America’s “Ambassador of Sailing,” will be master of ceremonies. Video introductions about the recipients will be produced by Rick Lopes and XXL Media. Founding dinner chairman Philip Webster recommends that guests make their reservations at www.seahistory.org or 914 737-7878, ext. 0, right away, since he predicts this dinner will sell out especially early. Tickets are priced from $275, with sponsorship opportunities available. Donald T. Bollinger 12
SEA HISTORY 161, WINTER 2017–18