The following is text of a news release from ST Engineering North America:
(ALEXANDRIA, Va.) — ST Engineering North America announces that Robert (Bob) L. Merchent has been named president and CEO of VT Halter Marine Inc. effective Monday. Merchent joins Halter Marine with extensive ship building and major program management experience.
“We welcome Bob and look forward to his leadership of Halter Marine during this time of growth,” said Tom Vecchiolla, president and CEO of ST Engineering North America. “Bob’s expertise as a shipbuilder and proven program leader makes him the right choice to lead Halter Marine during this critical period.”
Much of his career was spent at Ingalls Shipbuilding, where he advanced through multiple positions of ever-increasing responsibility, leading programs critical to both the business and the U.S. Navy, culminating his career there as the vice president, Surface Combatants, Fleet Services and U.S. Coast Guard programs.
Merchent has a bachelor’s of science in business management from the University of Southern Mississippi, as well as certificates on executive leadership from the Harvard Business School; executive finance from the Wharton School of Business; and executive marketing from the University of Maryland.
ST Engineering thanks Ron Baczkowski, outgoing president and CEO, for his contributions to and leadership of Halter Marine.
VT Halter Marine, the marine operations of ST Engineering North America, is based in Pascagoula, Miss., and is a leader in the design and construction of medium-sized ships in the United States. Halter Marine designs, builds and repairs a wide variety of ocean-going vessels such as patrol vessels, oil recovery vessels, oil cargo vessels, ferries, logistic support vessels, auxiliaries, and research and survey vessels.
