Rider named to head Seamen’s Church Institute

(NEW YORK, NY — October 4, 2007) The Rev. David M. Rider has been named president and executive director of the Seamen’s Church Institute of New York and New Jersey. Rider succeeds the Rev. Dr. Jean R. Smith, who is retiring after 17 years of service.

Rider comes to SCI after 10 years with The Church Pension Group, where he served as managing trustee of the Episcopal Church Medical Trust and senior vice president of The Church Insurance Co.  Since 2001, Rider has served as interim leader of two large Episcopal churches, Grace Church in New York City and St. Mark’s Church, New Canaan, Conn.

“David’s experience as a senior manager of a multi-million dollar national church agency gives him the administrative credentials to lead SCI’s multi-faceted international and national programs and buildings in four states.  We are impressed with his proven experience as an administrator, innovator, and pastor,” said George M. Isdale, Jr., chairman of the institute’s board of trustees.

Rider said,  “I am honored to lead this outstanding and venerable organization with such a diverse ministry to maritime communities in two major ports and our inland rivers. What other organization reaches back to the 19th century and today serves at street level in our evolving global economy?”

A graduate of Carleton College, Rider holds three theological degrees and certificates from the Washington School of Psychiatry and Harvard Business School.  As an Episcopal priest, he is canonically resident in the Diocese of New York.

Founded in 1834 and affiliated with the Episcopal Church, the Seamen’s Church Institute of New York and New Jersey is the largest, most comprehensive mariners’ agency in North America.  Annually, its chaplains visit 3,400 vessels in the Port of New York and New Jersey and along 2,200 miles of America’s inland waterways. 

SCI’s maritime education program provides navigational training to nearly 1,600 mariners each year at simulator-based facilities located in Houston, Texas and Paducah, Ky. 

SCI and its maritime attorneys are recognized as leading advocates for merchant mariners.

By Professional Mariner Staff