 Second Ferry Plans Underway February 28, 2004
Gerhard's experience in Southeast Alaska started aboard commercial towing vessels engaged in coastwise towing. Gerhard owned and operated his own marine business with various vessels from 1975 to 1985. He spent 4 years in the marine supply business, as general manager of Murray Pacific stores in Sitka and Ketchikan and was later promoted to vice president at its Seattle headquarters. In 1988, Gerhard, with his wife and son, returned to Alaska to establish Juneau-based operations for Allen Marine Tours of Sitka, operating a commuter ferry service for the Greens Creek Mine. When Gerhard left 11 years later, the business had expanded from the initial two boat fleet into a multi-million dollar investment with 70 employees and eight high speed catamaran vessels. He also managed the operations for two partnership vessel operation companies for the Allens. Gerhard served as Executive
Director of the Southeast Conference until last year. He has
closely monitored developments with the Alaska Marine Highway
System, and marine transportation in general. Gerhard provided
assistance to the IFA during various start-up challenges and
is well acquainted with the organization. In announcing the contract
today, IFA chair Dennis Watson said that Gerhard has spent the
majority of his career in Alaska in the maritime industry, and
brings a broad range of experience to his new involvement with
IFA. Plans to have the M/V STIKINE start service on the northern
route in the spring of 2006 are on schedule, said Watson. Source of News Release:
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