After serving over half a year as Austal USA’s interim president, Rusty Murdaugh has been named permanent head of the Mobile-based shipbuilder. The company announced that the promotion became effective September 9.
Murdaugh, a long-time veteran of the defense industry, joined the company in 2017 as chief financial officer. In announcing the hire, Austal USA said he brings impressive business expertise and sound fiscal management skills to the company’s operations.
The industry professional formerly held leadership positions with Esterline Corporation, Avnet, United Technologies (formerly Goodrich), and Honeywell.
Austal USA board chairman Larry Cavaiola says Murdaugh has played a pivotal role in expanding the defense giant’s contract portfolio.
“Over the course of the last six months, the company has secured multiple contracts under Rusty’s leadership and is well-positioned for continued growth,” said Cavaiola. “Rusty has a clear strategic vision to grow the company’s business and lead Austal USA’s worldwide operations.”
The release states that as interim president, Murdaugh aggressively pursued the incorporation of steel shipbuilding to the Austal USA manufacturing operations. According to the company, he also led Austal USA’s facility expansion in Mobile by acquiring additional waterfront and services capability on the Mobile River.
The newly-announced president said that he sees potential for growth opportunities in the company’s future.
“I am honored to be selected to lead this great company,” Murdaugh stated. “I am excited about the opportunity to lead the world’s finest shipbuilders, and I’m looking forward to the growth ahead in the coming years as we win new shipbuilding and ship maintenance contracts.”
Austal USA says it has submitted a bid to build the U.S. Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter and is executing a preliminary design and concept study for the U.S. Navy’s Light Amphibious Warship program. The company also recently secured two services and maintenance contracts, expanding its post-delivery business.
In August, the U.S. Navy announced that it had awarded the company a sustainment execution contract (SEC) to conduct repair, maintenance and modernization of all Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) stationed in San Diego. The award allows the shipbuilder to directly support U.S. military personnel in critical sea-based operations.
Additionally, the company is also expanding its Singapore service center in support of the Navy’s increased role throughout the Pacific region.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
