Longtime maritime industry leader Dee Burch has taken the reins at Gunderson Marine & Iron, the Portland, Oregon-based shipbuilder announced Aug. 5.
With the recent acquisition of all Gunderson shares, Burch is now the sole proprietor and president of the company, which operates a 58-acre industrial site on the waterfront.
“My transition to an active role in the organization is both a profound honor and a tremendous responsibility,” Burch said in a statement. “I am committed to continuing this rich tradition of excellence in barge building while expanding our capabilities in other complex fabrication including bridges, hydro, ships, tugs and dry docks.”
The leadership news comes about 15 months after Greenbrier Companies announced the sale of Gunderson to Oregon Green Manufacturing, a partnership established by Terry Aarnio, who served as chairman and majority owner of Oregon Iron Works until Vigor Industrial’s acquisition in 2014, and Burch, president of Portland-based Advanced American Construction.
The move allowed about 300 jobs to be saved at Gunderson, according to the company.
Since the sale, the company said it has seen a significant increase in workforce and major projects, such as the completion of Denali State Park PolyChrome Bridge and the Makani Loa barge for Lynden Inc. and the building of a new dry dock at the shipyard in Portland.
Burch praised the guidance and work done by previous Chairman Aarnio, COO Joe Corvelli and CFO Bob Wise, who are all transitioning away from Gunderson.
“With GM&I under private ownership for the last 15 months, we have successfully built a roadmap for success,” Burch said. “I am deeply appreciative of the energy and dedication that Terry, Bob and Joe have given to the organization. Without their efforts, the company would not be in the strong position we are in now: on a growth trajectory with a significant backlog.”
