By Mark Edward Nero
Crowley Maritime Corp. marine operations director David Ridge was presented with the annual Thomas Crowley Award, the company’s highest honor, at a recent ceremony at the company’s Anchorage, Alaska, office.
Presenting the award before more than 70 employees and senior leaders was Crowley’s Chairman, President and CEO Tom Crowley Jr., the grandson of the company’s founder.
Among those present for the ceremony were two past recipients of the award, marine solutions Vice President Bruce Harland and government relations vice president Craig Tornga.
Ridge, a 30-year Crowley employee, was selected for the award, according to the company, because of his reputation for high performance. In his nominating letter, Crowley’s marine services general manager Captain Rod Jones, wrote:
“David has proven his competence, loyalty and exemplary performance time and again, both aboard the vessels and in the office. Whether commanding Crowley assets halfway around the world or facilitating a training seminar in Valdez, his commitment to the core principles of safety, integrity and high performance has never waned.”
Ridge joined Crowley in 1984 as a mate, subsequently working aboard a variety of vessels operated by the company, including oil and cargo barges, offshore towing tugs, and ship assist and tanker escort tugs.
He came ashore as port captain in Seattle in 2005, and was later assigned to the position of marine operations manager in Valdez, Alaska. In 2014, he was promoted to his current position.
“I am honored to have received this award, but the recognition really should go to my team,” Ridge said. “Crowley is the most unique and worthwhile company I have ever had the pleasure of working for and it’s the people I work with who make me who I am.”
The Thomas Crowley Award, created in 1985 is symbolized by a limited edition bronze sculpture, which depicts company founder Thomas Crowley ferrying goods to and from ships on San Francisco Bay in the early 1890s.
