WWW Announces Inaugural Board of Directors, Advisory Council
We Work the Waterways (WWW) announced July 11 the members of its inaugural board of directors and advisory council. Since announcing its transition to an independent organization, WWW leaders have been working to assemble a well-rounded, diverse board and advisory council with members from across multiple sectors of the marine industry.
“As WWW embarks on this next chapter, the organization is focused on building national brand awareness and establishing a credible, go-to presence for those seeking talent, training or maritime career opportunities,” WWW said in announcing the groups. “The newly appointed leadership team will help guide this effort, ensuring that WWW continues to serve as a bridge between education, industry and the next generation of maritime professionals.”
Elected board members include:
Seth Lawson, co-owner and co-founder of Lawson Marine in Iowa, is WWW’s board president. He holds a background in trade-based abilities to establish and develop his companies in the industrial and marine construction industries along with full fleeting and transload services.
Kelly Dimarco, director of economic development and tourism at Plaquemines Parish Government, is vice president of WWW’s board of directors. For more than 16 years, Dimarco has designed training programs across emerging sectors, collaborating with educational institutions and corporate partners to implement workforce development initiatives. She holds an M.Ed. in education leadership.
Capt. Jeanne Ferrer, pilot at Crescent River Pilots, serves as board secretary. With nearly 20 years of industry experience, Ferrer also serves as a commissioner of both the Port of New Orleans and the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad. She holds a United States Naval Reserve Office Commission as well as a U.S. Coast Guard master unlimited license and a First-Class Pilot License of unlimited tonnage on the Lower Mississippi River.
Sydney DeFillips, property accountant at Mississippi Power Company, serves as board treasurer. DeFillips holds an undergraduate degree in accounting and an MBA from Delta State University and became a licensed CPA in 2018. She spent nine years in public accounting before transitioning to the private sector.
Dawn Lopez, vice president of marketing and public relations at Associated Terminals and Turn Services, serves as director of board-staff engagement. Lopez graduated from LSU and holds a Juris Doctorate from LSU Law School. She serves as an adviser to S.H. Bell and vice chair of the World Trade Center of New Orleans. She is vice chair of the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation and serves on the board of Junior Achievement of New Orleans.
General board members include Capt. Aaron Williams of Bollard Consulting; Arthur Yves of Associated Terminals/Turn Services; Brandon Phillips of Riverview Boat & Tug Service; Christa White of Ingram Barge Company; David Murray of The Waterways Journal; Heather Ervin of Marine Log; Katie Dunn of ADM/ARTCo; Merritt Parsons Vesich of Louisiana CAT; Richard Lockwood; and Tony Dow of QSL.
Members of the advisory council include Alexandra Hernandez of Port of South Louisiana; Ashley Pitts of Salacia Logistics; Capt. Kenny Brown of Maritime Throwdown; Casey Stubbs of Golding Barge Line; Frank McCormack of The Waterways Journal; Holly Normand of Celtic Marine; Jenna Gaudet of Eckstein Trade & Transport LLC/WIMOs Association; Marty Vizier of Sennebogen; Paul Rohde of Waterways Council, Inc.; Stephen LeBouef of ADM/ARTCo; Terence James, Ph.D. of the Vicksburg Warren School District; and Thomas Cagle of T&T Marine.
“We are honored to welcome such a dynamic and inclusive group to lead this next chapter,” said Errin Howard, executive director of WWW. “This board reflects the voices of the deck, the docks, the classroom and the boardroom, and that’s exactly what our industry and future workforce need.”
Since its founding in early 2024, WWW has achieved commendable results. According to its newly released impact report, the organization has educated and collaborated with more than 38,000 students, educators and supporters and has held student events in 11 states.
Short bios, as well as photos and titles of board and advisory council members, can be found on the Our Team page at www.weworkthewaterways.com.
