Reuben K. Byrd

An executive in the shipbuilding industry with a quarter-century of experience, Reuben K. Byrd began his extensive career with Atlantic Marine, Inc. (now BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards), in 1984. As a mechanical technician with the group, Reuben K. Byrd designed and fabricated machining tools; his success in the position earned him promotion to Project Manager. He supervised a staff of mechanics responsible for upkeep and repair of pumps, turbines, valves, and other equipment. In 1988, Byrd joined the staff of North Florida Shipyards, Inc., as General Manager and led the group for 12 years. Reuben K. Byrd’s leadership prowess then took him to American Offshore Industries, Inc., in 2000. As CEO of the startup venture, Reuben K. Byrd oversaw all operations and effectively expanded the business to a value of nearly $880,000 within his first 6 months in the position. After selling the group in 2004, Byrd served as the Shipyard Superintendent for Norfolk, Virginia’s Lyon Shipyard Inc. and held responsibility for budgeting, marketing, and invoicing; he also supervised all facets of ship repair. Demonstrating capacity as a manager with proven technical knowledge, Reuben K. Byrd subsequently accepted an invitation from Tampa Ship, LLC, to act as Senior Project Manager. Eventually rising to Vice President of Production, Byrd oversaw numerous aspects of the company, among them contracting, purchasing, accounting, warehousing, and engineering. Leading a 980-person staff, he also monitored profit and loss and successfully raised repair and conversion sales by nearly 50 percent. Today, Reuben K. Byrd employs his diverse skill set as Senior Vice President of Operations for Grand Bahama Shipyard Limited, a dry-docking and ship repair and conversion company.