Company News

John Binion Named CEO Of M/G Transport

M/G Transport Services, a division of Auxo Marine Holdings, announced May 2 that John Binion has been appointed CEO, succeeding Jack Lordo. Binion has served as a lead director of the M/G Transport Services board since its December 2017 acquisition by Auxo Marine.

“I am excited to take on this new role and work closely with the talented team at M/G, which for decades has provided the highest level of customer service in the inland barge industry,” Binion said. “I look forward to partnering with the management team to build on the company’s impressive legacy and create new opportunities for our employees, customers and vendors. I also want to thank Jack Lordo for his more than 30 years of service as he has been a big part of making M/G the market leader that it is today.”

Binion brings more than three decades of experience in the maritime industry, most recently serving as chief operations officer at United Maritime Group, a diversified holding company that included United Barge Lines and United Bulk Terminal. He also was co-founder and head of operations for Horizon Maritime, an inland asphalt barge company. Binion began his career as a ship broker at L&R Midland after graduating from Texas A&M University. He has served on numerous public and private boards of directors for companies in the shipping industry including as a director of M/G Transport Services and Andrie LLC, a Michigan-based bulk transporter acquired by Auxo in late 2018. He is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

“John has been an integral part of M/G from the inception of our involvement with the company and has a great relationship with its talented and experienced management team,” said Auxo Managing Partners Jeff Helminski and Jack Kolodny, in a joint statement. “M/G will continue to thrive under John, a strong successor to Jack Lordo, whom we wish to congratulate on a three-decade career and tremendous success leading M/G. We believe John and his excellent team will continue to lead M/G forward with the customer and safety-focused culture it is known for as we continue to grow the business.”

In addition to Binion, the existing management team will continue to lead M/G’s operations including Terence Gomez, vice president-operations; Paul Woods, vice president-sales; and Tim Herzog, chief financial officer.

Auxo Marine is the diversified marine logistics investment platform of Auxo Investment Partners, a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based private investment firm that partners with owners and management teams of companies at transition points in their history with a long-term investment approach. Auxo Marine is comprised of M/G Transport Services and Andrie, and is seeking additional acquisition opportunities of vessels and operating companies. Its fleet consists of more than 275 vessels moving petroleum products, cement, chemicals and other products on the Great Lakes and Gulf Coast.