Christopher J. Wiernicki (born September 29, 1958) is a naval architect, engineer, and businessperson. He is the chairman and CEO of American Bureau of Shipping,[1] an international classification organization, and chairman of ABS Group of Companies, a global risk consulting and technical services company.[2] He is a member of the President's National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC).
Christopher J. Wiernicki | |
|---|---|
 Wiernicki and wife Joan in 2022 | |
| Born | September 29, 1958 |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Vanderbilt University, George Washington University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Occupation(s) | Naval architect, engineer, businessperson |
| Title | Chairman and CEO of American Bureau of Shipping Chairman of ABS Group of Companies. |
Career
editWiernicki obtained his BS degree in civil engineering from Vanderbilt University, an MS degree in structural engineering from George Washington University, and an MS degree in ocean engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.[3] He also completed the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.[3]
Prior to joining ABS in 1993, Wiernicki was president and CEO of Designers and Planners Inc., a naval architecture firm.
In 2013, Wiernicki was inducted into the George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science Hall of Fame.[4] He received The Vice Admiral Emory S. "Jerry" Land Medal from the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers for Outstanding Accomplishment in the Marine Field.[5] In 2016, Wiernicki was inducted into the International Maritime Hall of Fame[6] and received the Admiral of the Ocean Seas Award from the United Seamen's Service.[7] He has been awarded honorary Doctor of Science degrees from Maine Maritime Academy,[8] Webb Institute,[9] and State University of New York Maritime College.[10] Wiernicki was chairman of council of the International Association of Classification Societies from 2015 to 2016.[11][12] In 2017, Wiernicki was inducted to the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni,[13] named to the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering's Board of Visitors,[14] conferred an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from Stevens Institute of Technology,[15] and named the Massachusetts Maritime Academy's Person of the Year.[16] In 2018, he was recognized as one of the top 50 influential people in the tanker shipping and trade industry by Tanker Shipping & Trade[17] and was named the International Personality of the Year at the annual Greek Shipping Awards.[18] On June 20, 2020, Wiernicki was the Distinguished Industry Speaker at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy's Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2020.[19] In January 2021, he was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering for innovations in the design, engineering, and operation of ships and offshore structures.[20] In August 2022, he was appointed by President Biden to the President's National Infrastructure Advisory Council, which advises the White House on how to reduce risks and improve the resilience of the nation's critical infrastructure sectors.[21]
In March 2023, he accepted a position on Singapore's Maritime International Advisory Panel (IAP). The IAP was established by the Singapore Ministry of Transport (MOT) and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to seek global perspectives on key trends that will shape the maritime industry.[22] In April 2023, Wiernicki was awarded the GREEN4SEA Leadership Award,[23] recognizing his industry leadership and contribution to a more sustainable industry. In June 2023, he delivered the Commencement Message to the graduating class of 2023 at the Webb Institute.[24] In October 2023, Wiernicki was selected to receive the first Seatrium Visiting Professorship at the National University of Singapore College of Design and Engineering, a program designed to attract top talent from the energy transition and sustainability sectors to promote knowledge transfer, capability building and support development of innovative maritime technology.[25]
References
edit- ^ "Christopher Wiernicki".
- ^ Audrey Leon (June 14, 2013). "Christopher Wiernicki, new chairman of ABS and ABS Group, celebrates 20 years this year – OE Digital".
- ^ a b "Chris Wiernicki, American Bureau of Shipping: Profile and Biography – Bloomberg Markets". Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- ^ "2013 Inductees – SEAS – The George Washington University – The George Washington University".
- ^ "Vice Admiral Emory S. "Jerry" Land Medal".
- ^ "Press Release: 22nd Annual International Hall of Fame Awards". Archived from the original on April 2, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ "Imperatore, Marcus, Wiernicki to receive Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards – Professional Mariner – Web Bulletin 2016". www.professionalmariner.com. June 23, 2016.
- ^ "Maine Maritime Academy".
- ^ "ABS Chairman, President and CEO Delivers Inspirational Commencement Message to Webb Institute Graduates". News Powered by Cision. June 19, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
- ^ "Christopher J. Wiernicki Awarded Honorary Doctor of Science". The Maritime Executive.
- ^ "IACS". Archived from the original on February 5, 2017. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
- ^ "IACS Chairman Term Concludes, Urges Safety Improvements". Maritime Logistics Professional. June 21, 2016.
- ^ "Engineering school announces 2017 alumni honorees". Vanderbilt University.
- ^ "Board of Visitors". School of Engineering.
- ^ "ABS Chairman, President and CEO Addresses Stevens Institute of Technology Graduates – Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide". www.hellenicshippingnews.com.
- ^ "Maritime Executive".
- ^ "Tanker Shipping and Trade Industry Leaders 2018". issuu. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
- ^ December 2018, Athens-7 (December 8, 2018). "Congratulations to the 2018 Winners!". Lloyd's List Greek Shipping Awards. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Watch USMMA's Semi-Virtual Commencement Ceremony". U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Archived from the original on June 25, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ "National Academy of Engineering Elects 104 Members and 24 International Members". National Academy of Engineering. Archived from the original on March 16, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ The White House (August 31, 2022). "President Biden Announces Appointments to the President's National Infrastructure Advisory Council". The White House. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
- ^ "Details". Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- ^ "The winners of 2023 GREEN4SEA Awards announced". SAFETY4SEA. April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ^ "ABS Chairman, President and CEO Delivers Inspirational Commencement Message to Webb Institute Graduates". News Powered by Cision. June 19, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
- ^ "Seatrium to Promote Energy Transition and Sustainability through Seatrium Professorship" (PDF). www.seatrium.com/.