Janet Plume | Dec 21, 2012 9:57AM EST
Jerry Nagel, former chairman of Rickmers-Linie (America), died on Wednesday, Dec. 19, in Houston.
Nagel, 63, had more than 35 years of industry experience, directly responsible for the inland, domestic, international and ocean transportation of major heavy-lift and oversize cargoes. He spent eight years as president and chief executive of Rickmers-Linie (Americas) where he was responsible for all project and breakbulk shipping activities in the Americas. Named chairman in June 2011, he served in that position through mid-2012.
“With Jerry Nagel, we are losing a truly outstanding colleague and friend,” said Rudiger Gerhardt and Ulrich Ulrichs, managing directors at Rickmers-Linie GmbH & Cie. KG. in a statement. "Representing a highly respected authority in the breakbulk industry, Jerry to a large part formed the image of our company in the United States."
Nagel, a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in transportation management and economics, began his shipping career at the age of 18 when he joined his father working on the New Orleans waterfront. His experience included management positions with ocean carriers and ship agency, stevedoring, marine terminals, warehousing and trucking businesses. Nagel joined Rickmers in 2004 from Foster Wheeler Corp. USA, where he had been the company's traffic manager.
Nagel was awarded the eighth annual Breakbulk Lifetime Achievement Award at the 22nd annual Breakbulk Transportation Conference and Exhibition in October 2011.
Nagel was well known throughout the breakbulk transportation sector as a vocal proponent of industry recruiting at the entry level and for developing resources to reach young people who might be interested in a breakbulk career. He was a key supporter in the formation of Breakbulk Magazine and Events' Education Day program.
Nagel helped the Houston Maritime Museum relocate to a new venue and has used it as a springboard to attract students to the maritime industry. He has served as chairman of the West Gulf Maritime Association's education committee, which disseminates information about opportunities in the maritime industry to high schools and colleges.
Nagel lived with his wife, Linda, in Spring, Texas, where he was active in community and service organizations.
In recent years, Nagel had battled pulmonary illness. Funeral arrangements in Louisiana are pending, as is a memorial service in Houston.
Janet Plume at editorial director of Breakbulk Magazine. Contact her at jplume@breakbulk.com.