MARCH 2019 • FOGHORN 5 LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR John Groundwater Colleen is serving as PVA Secretary for 2018 and served on the PVABoard of Directors from 2015 to 2017. She is also a member of the PVA Regulatory Committee. Bob Bijur, Secretary-Treasurer for 2018 Bob Bijur has been with Island Queen Cruises for the past 24 years. He is one of the partners of Biscayne Lady Yacht Charters. The operation has a fleet of seven (7) inspected vessels and several uninspected vessels, which accom- modate from 6 to 400 passengers. His organization also owns and operates a 200-seat waterfront dining establish- ment. Bob’s background is in hospital- ity and he was on the opening team of a nationally acclaimed restaurant in South Miami in 1974. He has also captained several private yachts. Bob is a U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Master and a U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Engineer. He is also a Florida State licensed Emergency Medical Technician, a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, and he instructs CPR for the Professional Rescuer and small craft certifications. Bob participates in the Local Harbor Safety Committee and the Area Maritime Security Committee. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Passenger Vessel Association, has served as a PVA Southeast Region Chair and is a longstanding member of the PVA Safety and Security Committee. PVAmembers also elected the following individuals to new terms on the PVA Board of Director: Jed Dixon, North Carolina Department of Transportation—Ferry Division, Manns Harbor, NC, John Lake, Entertainment Cruises, Alexandria, VA and Patrick Murphy, Blue and Gold Fleet, San Francisco, CA. Congratulations to all of these individuals and thank you very much for your leadership. PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2019 Held against the exciting backdrop of New Orleans, this year’s PVA convention was a success by all measures. Attendance was very strong and exhibitor participation hit an all-time high. There were approximately 100 sessions, workshops and special events that spanned the entire event. Attendees packed sessions on-and-off the exhibit floor and took advantage of all of the educational oppor- tunities, information-sharing and networking available. We have sent out survey questionnaires to all conven- tion attendees to get opinions about all aspects of this important PVA event. If you have not completed your PVA Elects New Officers and Board Members for 2019 In January, during the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2019 in New Orleans, PVA members elected new officers and members of the Board of Directors for 2019.  These individuals will play an important role and will provide leadership for our association during 2019 and beyond by guiding policy and formulating programs that will benefit all PVAmembers. The following individ- uals will serve as officers for 2019: Bob Lawler, President for 2019 Bob Lawler is currently General Manger for Boston Duck Tours in Boston, MA. Boston Duck Tours operates 28 amphibious vehicles carrying over 600,000 passenger each year. Bob began his career in the maritime industry in 1990 as a deckhand with Bay State Cruise Company in Boston. After graduating from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI in 1993, he obtained his 100-ton Master’s license and worked as a full time Captain for Entertainment Cruises over the next 11 years in Boston, Chicago and Seattle before returning home to Boston where he worked as General Manager and VP of Marine Operations for a fleet or 38 vessels in 6 ports until 2017. The Company’s brands include Spirit Cruises, Odyssey, Bateaux New York, Elite Private Yachts, Mystic Blue Cruises, Seadog and Potomac Riverboat Company. Bob has served as 2018 PVA Vice President, 2017 PVA Secretary-Treasurer, as a member of the PVA Board of Directors and was Chairman of PVA Safety and Security Committee from 2014 to 2016. Colleen Stephens, Vice-President for 2019 Colleen Stephens is the President of her family’s business, Stan Stephens Glacier and Wildlife Cruises. Stan Stephens Cruises operates two catamarans in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Colleen started her career in the maritime industry at the “experienced” age of 7 in 1978 as she worked alongside her parents and sisters as they shared the glaciers and wildlife of the Sound with Alaskan travelers. Through the years the company has operated a variety of Subchapter T vessels between the ports of Valdez, Whittier and Cordova. As time progressed, Colleen’s role in the company changed to coordinating the operations of the company, overseeing crew and vessel safety training, as well as facilitating their marketing and promotions. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CONTINUED ON PAGE 41 “MariTrends is always worth attending, I have never left without learning something from attending the well planned sessions.” --PVA Convention Attendee