Christopher J. Wiernicki
{{Short description|American marine engineer (1958)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Christopher J. Wiernicki
| image = Christopher J Wiernicki and his wife Joan at Posidonia in 2022.jpg
| caption = Wiernicki and wife Joan in 2022
| image_size =
| alt = ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J Wiernicki
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|9|29}}
| education = Vanderbilt University, George Washington University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
| nationality = American
| occupation = Naval architect, engineer, businessperson
| title = Chairman and CEO of American Bureau of Shipping
Chairman of ABS Group of Companies.
}}
Christopher J. Wiernicki (born September 29, 1958) is a naval architect, engineer, and businessperson. He is the chairman and CEO of American Bureau of Shipping,{{cite web|url=http://ww2.eagle.org/en/about-us/executive-leadership/christopher-wiernicki.html|title=Christopher Wiernicki|publisher=}} an international classification organization, and chairman of ABS Group of Companies, a global risk consulting and technical services company.{{cite web|url=http://www.oedigital.com/component/k2/item/3240-christopher-wiernicki-new-chairman-of-abs-and-abs-group-celebrates-20-years-this-year|title=Christopher Wiernicki, new chairman of ABS and ABS Group, celebrates 20 years this year – OE Digital|author=Audrey Leon|date=June 14, 2013 |publisher=}} He has served as a member of the White House National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC).
Career
Wiernicki obtained his BS degree in civil engineering from Vanderbilt University, an MS degree in structural engineering from George Washington University, and an MS degree in ocean engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Chris Wiernicki, American Bureau of Shipping: Profile and Biography – Bloomberg Markets|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/17623697|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022031511/https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/17623697 |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |access-date=October 20, 2020|website=Bloomberg.com}} He also completed the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.
Prior to joining ABS in 1993, Wiernicki was president and CEO of Designers and Planners Inc., a naval architecture firm.
In 2013, Wiernicki was inducted into the George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science Hall of Fame.{{cite web|url=http://www.seas.gwu.edu/2013-inductees|title=2013 Inductees – SEAS – The George Washington University – The George Washington University|publisher=}} He received The Vice Admiral Emory S. "Jerry" Land Medal from the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers for Outstanding Accomplishment in the Marine Field.{{cite web|url=http://www.sname.org/recognition/awardspage/vadmlandmedal|title=Vice Admiral Emory S. "Jerry" Land Medal|publisher=}} In 2016, Wiernicki was inducted into the International Maritime Hall of Fame{{cite web |url=http://www.motivatorsconference.com/html_pgs/conf.html/press-release-2016.html |title=Press Release: 22nd Annual International Hall of Fame Awards |accessdate=May 9, 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402103511/http://www.motivatorsconference.com/HTML_pgs/conf.html/press-release-2016.html |archivedate=April 2, 2016 }} and received the Admiral of the Ocean Seas Award from the United Seamen's Service.{{cite web|url=http://www.professionalmariner.com/Web-Bulletin-2016/Imperatore-Marcus-Wiernicki-to-receive-Admiral-of-the-Ocean-Sea-Awards/|title=Imperatore, Marcus, Wiernicki to receive Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards – Professional Mariner – Web Bulletin 2016|website=www.professionalmariner.com|date=June 23, 2016 }} He has been awarded honorary Doctor of Science degrees from Maine Maritime Academy,{{cite web|url=http://mainemaritime.edu/about-mma/press-releases/maine-maritime-academy-commencement-set-for-saturday-may-2-2015/#more-4348|title=Maine Maritime Academy|publisher=}} Webb Institute,{{Cite web |date=2023-06-19 |title=ABS Chairman, President and CEO Delivers Inspirational Commencement Message to Webb Institute Graduates |url=https://news.cision.com/american-bureau-of-shipping/r/abs-chairman--president-and-ceo-delivers-inspirational-commencement-message-to-webb-institute-gradua,c3794580 |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=News Powered by Cision |language=en}} and State University of New York Maritime College.{{cite web|url=http://www.maritime-executive.com/pressrelease/christopher-j-wiernicki-awarded-honorary-doctor-of-science|title=Christopher J. Wiernicki Awarded Honorary Doctor of Science|work=The Maritime Executive}} Wiernicki was chairman of council of the International Association of Classification Societies from 2015 to 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.iacs.org.uk/Explained/members.aspx|title=IACS|access-date=May 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205035344/http://www.iacs.org.uk/Explained/members.aspx|archive-date=February 5, 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.maritimeprofessional.com/news/iacs-chairman-term-concludes-urges-291456|title=IACS Chairman Term Concludes, Urges Safety Improvements|date=June 21, 2016|website=Maritime Logistics Professional}} In 2017, Wiernicki was inducted to the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni,{{cite web|url=https://engineering.vanderbilt.edu/news/2017/bryant-wiernicki-engineering-2017-alumni-honorees/|title=Engineering school announces 2017 alumni honorees|website=Vanderbilt University}} named to the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering's Board of Visitors,{{cite web|url=https://engineering.vanderbilt.edu/bov/board-members.php|title=Board of Visitors|website=School of Engineering}} conferred an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from Stevens Institute of Technology,{{cite web|url=https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/abs-chairman-president-and-ceo-addresses-stevens-institute-of-technology-graduates/|title=ABS Chairman, President and CEO Addresses Stevens Institute of Technology Graduates – Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide|website=www.hellenicshippingnews.com}} and named the Massachusetts Maritime Academy's Person of the Year.{{cite web|url=http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/abs-chairman-named-mma-person-of-the-year|title=Maritime Executive|publisher=}} In 2018, he was recognized as one of the top 50 influential people in the tanker shipping and trade industry by Tanker Shipping & Trade{{cite web |title=Tanker Shipping and Trade Industry Leaders 2018 |url=https://issuu.com/rivieramaritimemedia/docs/tstil18_issuu?e=15860807/58941456 |website=issuu |accessdate=December 11, 2018}} and was named the International Personality of the Year at the annual Greek Shipping Awards.{{cite web |last1=December 2018 |first1=Athens-7 |title=Congratulations to the 2018 Winners! |url=https://greekshippingawards.gr/20181208/1430/ |website=Lloyd's List Greek Shipping Awards |accessdate=December 11, 2018 |date=December 8, 2018}} On June 20, 2020, Wiernicki was the Distinguished Industry Speaker at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy's Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2020.{{Cite web|title=Watch USMMA's Semi-Virtual Commencement Ceremony|url=https://www.usmma.edu/about/communications/watch-usmmas-semi-virtual-commencement-ceremony|url-status=live|access-date=August 6, 2021|website=U.S. Merchant Marine Academy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625014945/https://www.usmma.edu/about/communications/watch-usmmas-semi-virtual-commencement-ceremony |archive-date=June 25, 2020 }} In January 2021, he was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering for innovations in the design, engineering, and operation of ships and offshore structures.{{Cite web|title=National Academy of Engineering Elects 104 Members and 24 International Members|url=https://nae.edu/248499/National-Academy-of-Engineering-Elects-104-Members-and-24-International-Members|url-status=live|access-date=August 6, 2021|website=National Academy of Engineering|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316231930/https://www.nae.edu/248499/National-Academy-of-Engineering-Elects-104-Members-and-24-International-Members |archive-date=March 16, 2021 }} He served as a member of the White House National Infrastructure Advisory Council, which advises the White House on how to reduce risks and improve the resilience of the nation's critical infrastructure sectors.{{Cite web |last=The White House |date=2022-08-31 |title=President Biden Announces Appointments to the President's National Infrastructure Advisory Council |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/08/31/president-biden-announces-appointments-to-the-presidents-national-infrastructure-advisory-council/ |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=The White House |language=en-US}}
In March 2023, he accepted a position on Singapore's Maritime International Advisory Panel (IAP). The IAP was established by the Singapore Ministry of Transport (MOT) and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to seek global perspectives on key trends that will shape the maritime industry.{{Cite web |title=Details |url=http://www.mpa.gov.sg/media-centre/details/forging-collaborations-and-building-an-inclusive-ecosystem-to-accelerate-maritime-digitalisation-and-decarbonisation |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) |language=en}} In April 2023, Wiernicki was awarded the GREEN4SEA Leadership Award,{{Cite web |date=2023-04-19 |title=The winners of 2023 GREEN4SEA Awards announced |url=https://safety4sea.com/the-winners-of-2023-green4sea-awards-announced/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=SAFETY4SEA |language=en-US}} recognizing his industry leadership and contribution to a more sustainable industry. In June 2023, he delivered the Commencement Message to the graduating class of 2023 at the Webb Institute.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-19 |title=ABS Chairman, President and CEO Delivers Inspirational Commencement Message to Webb Institute Graduates |url=https://news.cision.com/american-bureau-of-shipping/r/abs-chairman--president-and-ceo-delivers-inspirational-commencement-message-to-webb-institute-gradua,c3789136 |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=News Powered by Cision |language=en}} In October 2023, Wiernicki was selected to receive the first Seatrium Visiting Professorship at the National University of Singapore College of Design and Engineering, a program designed to attract top talent from the energy transition and sustainability sectors to promote knowledge transfer, capability building and support development of innovative maritime technology.{{Cite web |title=Seatrium to Promote Energy Transition and Sustainability through Seatrium Professorship |url=https://www.seatrium.com/assets/releases/20231006_MEDIA_RELEASE_NUS_Seatrium_MOU_signing_SCALE_Professorship.pdf |website=www.seatrium.com/}}
In December 2024, Wiernicki was featured at number 68 in the 2024 Lloyds List Top 100 People in Shipping [https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1151490/68-Christopher-Wiernicki-ABS ranking] of the leading individuals of influence in shipping.
References
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Category:American naval architects
Category:21st-century American engineers
Category:Vanderbilt University alumni
Category:George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science alumni