(PANAMA CITY, Fla.) — Eastern Shipbuilding Group has appointed retired U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Robert J. Papp Jr. as president of the company's Washington operations.
Papp served as an officer in the Coast Guard for nearly 40 years, completing his career as the 24th commandant of the U. S. Coast Guard from 2010 to 2014. The Coast Guard is the largest component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He was a career cutterman, serving in six cutters, commanding four of them, including the Coast Guard’s square-rigged sailing ship, the USCG barque Eagle. As a flag officer, Papp served as commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area; as the chief of staff of the Coast Guard and commanding officer of Coast Guard Headquarters; as commander, 9th Coast Guard District; and as director of Reserve and Training.
Upon retirement from the Coast Guard, he was called to duty at the U.S. State Department special representative for the Arctic, where he led U.S. international engagement on Arctic issues.
Papp will represent Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Washington, D.C., and will lead the strategic engagement in intergovernmental and industry operations.
This Washington operations appointment is the first time the 41-year-old shipbuilding company has established a permanent presence in the nation’s capital and it represents a significant step in the company’s growth and stature in the marine industry.
“As we embark on a number of significant projects that are integral to the maritime security of our country and the continued growth of our company, we are proud to add Adm. Bob Papp to our team,” said Brian D’Isernia, CEO of Eastern Shipbuilding Group. “His vast experience in both maritime security operations as well as navigating the challenges of intergovernmental operations will be invaluable and we welcome him to the ESG family.”
On Oct. 10, the U.S. Coast Guard awarded the largest vessel procurement contract in Coast Guard history to Eastern Shipbuilding Group. Eastern was selected to finalize its design and construct the first series of nine offshore patrol cutters to replace the medium-endurance cutters currently in service. The contract is initially for nine vessels with options for two additional vessels. The ultimate goal of this Coast Guard program is to build 25 OPCs, having a potential total contract value in excess of $10 billion. Initially, Eastern was awarded the detail design effort with an approximate value of $110 million. Construction of the first vessel is expected to commence in 2018.
