Ingram Holds Double Christening Ceremony
Ingram Marine Group has renamed two of its vessels in honor of Chief Executive Officer John D. Roberts and Chief Commercial Officer Chuck A.J. Arnold.
The company held a christening ceremony June 26 in Paducah, Ky. The ceremony was broadcast via Facebook Live.
As part of the program, the Coast Guard presented U.S. merchant marine flags to the vessel captains. The Rev. Grace Pardun, supervisory chaplain for the Seamen’s Church Institute’s Ministery on the River, presented Bibles and offered a blessing, reading from portions of Psalm 107 and Matthew 14 that have to do with boats and storms.
The important thing to remember, she said, is that those on the vessels are called to work together through “all kinds of storms that flare up as you work in the industry, and may you all remember that in the boat together you will all be able to weather the storms.”
“Be there for each other,” she added. “Listen to your captains, and remember who your captain is overall,” she said, referring to God.
A bottle-breaking aboard both vessels concluded the christening ceremony.
Mv. John D. Roberts
The mv. John D. Roberts is a 9,000 hp., triple-screw towboat that measures 200 feet by 50 feet. It is powered with EMD 12-710G diesel engines.
The boat was built in 1973 by St. Louis Ship in St. Louis. The vessel was purchased by Ingram Barge Company in April 2005. It was originally the mv. Gale C.
Roberts has served as CEO of Ingram Marine Group since 2022. He has spent his career working in operations, sales, logistics, fuel sales and consulting in various capacities, Ingram said in a news release. He has also served on several industry boards, including the Waterways Council Inc., Texas Waterways Operators Association, the American Waterways Operators and Blue Sky Maritime Coalition. He and his wife, Mary, live in Chippewa Falls, Wis. They have a son, daughter-in-law, two granddaughters and a grandson.
“John has been an exceptional mentor and a steady source of guidance and inspiration,” said Orrin Ingram, chairman of Ingram Marine Group and CEO of Ingram Industries. “He and Chuck are not only outstanding leaders but also deeply respected colleagues who have helped shape the culture, performance and future of Ingram Marine Group. They both exemplify what it means to truly live ‘The Ingram Way.’”
Aaron Barrett, president and chief operations officer of Ingram Marine Group, introduced Roberts, speaking about his 45 years in the industry.
“What John has done for our company is phenomenal,” he said. “I think everybody here sees that every day.”
Roberts said that having the boat named after him is the highest honor he has ever received. In addition to his own family, he thanked “my Ingram family, all 2,400 of you.”
Mv. Chuck. A.J. Arnold
The mv. Chuck A.J. Arnold is a 4,560 hp., twin-screw towboat measuring 150 feet by 45 feet. It is powered with EMD 12-645E7B diesel engines. The vessel was acquired by Ingram as part of the Midland Enterprises acquisition in 2002 and was built in 1980 by St. Louis Ship in St. Louis. It was previously named the mv. Harry R. Jacobson.
Arnold has worked at both Ingram Marine and Ingram Industries, the company said. He has led teams across liquid sales, dry sales and custom fuel services. As chief commercial officer, he oversees the full scope of Ingram’s commercial operations. He and his wife, Cindy, have two children.
“Chuck is known as a leader who cares deeply for his team and coworkers, always willing to lend a helping hand and share the invaluable wisdom he has gained navigating the marine industry over the years,” Barrett said. “Both Chuck and John are exceptional leaders and remarkable individuals whose passion for this industry inspires everyone around them.”
Russ Lampkins, Ingram Marine Group senior vice president of logistics, customer service and operations, introduced Arnold at the ceremony. He spoke about his intelligence and versatility as well as his rare ability “to talk to anybody at anything at any level.”
Arnold thanked his wife and family as well as Ingram administrators.
“It didn’t take me long to figure out I wanted to make a career here, not because it was a cool job or a cool industry but because of the people and the culture,” he said.
He said the company is dedicated to living out its ethics, and it comes down to “be honest and do the right thing.”
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Feature photo caption: Ingram Marine Group’s mv. John D. Roberts and mv. Chuck. A.J. Arnold moored on the Paducah, Ky., riverfront June 26. (Photos courtesy of Ingram Marine Group)
