GLDD Leadership

Lawrence R. Dickerson

LAWRENCE R. DICKERSON spent 34 years at Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (NYSE:DO), a deepwater oil and gas drilling contractor, where he served as a member of the Board of Directors from 1998, and as President and Chief Executive Officer from 2008 until his retirement in 2014. Prior to his service as President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Dickerson served as Chief Financial Officer, during which time he helped take the company public, and as Chief Operating Officer, during which time he gained substantial operating and commercial experience. In addition to being a seasoned executive, Mr. Dickerson has significant board experience. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of Murphy Oil Corporation (NYSE:MUR), an oil and gas exploration and production company, and Oil States International (NYSE:OIS), an oilfield equipment services company, since 2014. Mr. Dickerson is a member of the Audit and Nominating and Governance Committees at Murphy Oil Corporation and is Chair of the Compensation Committee and a former member of the Audit Committee at Oil States International. Mr. Dickerson was Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hercules Offshore, Inc. (NASDAQ:HERO), an offshore drilling company, from 2015 – 2016, and served from 2008 – 2012 on the Board of Directors of Global Industries, Ltd. (NASDAQ:GLBL), a subsea construction company sold to Technip in 2011. Mr. Dickerson received a B.B.A. from the University of Texas.

Lasse Petterson

Kathleen M. Shanahan

KATHLEEN M. SHANAHAN is currently Chief Executive Officer of Turtle & Hughes, Inc., a private, certified women-owned business, which services the industrial, construction, commercial, electrical contracting, export and utility markets. Ms. Shanahan joined the Board of Directors of HireQuest (NASDAQ:HQI) in 2019 and currently serves on the Audit Committee. Ms. Shanahan has served as Chair of Ground Works Solutions (previously known as URETEK Holdings, Inc.), which provides foundation lifting and soil stabilization solutions, since 2011 and previously also served as Chief Executive Officer from 2011–2016. Ms. Shanahan also previously served as the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of WRS Infrastructure & Environment, Inc. (d/b/a WRScompass), an environmental engineering and civil construction company, as a member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee of TRC Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRR) from 2015 – 2017, and as a member of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Executive Compensation Committee of WCI Communities, Inc. (NYSE:WCI) from 2004 – 2007. Additionally, Ms. Shanahan has held numerous positions in government and public policy, having served on the campaigns and administrations as Chief of Staff for Florida Governor Jeb Bush and for Vice President-elect Dick Cheney; Deputy Secretary of the California Trade and Commerce Agency for California Governor Pete Wilson; special assistant to Vice President George H.W. Bush; and as staff assistant on President Ronald W. Reagan’s National Security Council. Ms. Shanahan currently serves on the boards of several private companies, including Lumia Analytics, PRISM, and Tampa General Hospital. Ms. Shanahan is a member of Women Corporate Directors and the International Women’s forum. Ms. Shanahan previously served on the board of TerraSea Environmental Solutions LLC, one of the Company’s previous joint ventures.

Ronald Steger

RONALD R. STEGER Mr. Steger previously served on the Boards of Directors of Global Eagle Entertainment Inc., where he held the position of Audit Committee Chair; International Seaways, Inc. (NYSE:INSW) from 2016 – 2017; Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. (NYSE:OSG) from 2014 – 2018, where he served as Audit Committee Chair; and Sentinel Energy Services Inc. (NASDAQ:STNL) from 2018 – 2020. Mr. Steger also served as an Advisory Board Member of ATREG, Inc. from 2014 – 2020. Mr. Steger is currently a Senior Technical Advisor at Effectus Group, a boutique accounting advisory firm that specializes in serving high-growth technology companies. Until December 31, 2013, Mr. Steger worked as an Audit Partner for KPMG LLP, where he served a broad array of clients in the Fortune 1000 and middle market technology, chemical, food service and semiconductor sectors. Additionally, Mr. Steger has gained significant knowledge regarding the marine services industry through his board service. Mr. Steger is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (retired status). He received a B.S. from Villanova University.

Michael Steuert

Earl Shipp

Lasse Petterson

LASSE J. PETTERSON was named Chief Executive Officer in May 2017 and assumed the additional title of President in March 2020. He has served as a member of our Board since December 2016. Prior to his employment with the Company, Mr. Petterson served as a private consultant to clients in the oil and gas sector, and was Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at Chicago Bridge and Iron Company N.V. (NYSE:CBI) (“CB&I”), an engineering, procurement and construction company, from 2009 – 2013. Prior to CB&I, Mr. Petterson was Chief Executive Officer of Gearbulk, Ltd., a privately held company that owns and operates one of the largest fleets of gantry craned open hatch bulk vessels in the world. He was also President and Chief Operating Officer of AMEC Inc. Americas, a subsidiary of AMEC plc (NASDAQ:AMFW), a British multinational consulting, engineering and project management company. Prior to joining AMEC, Mr. Petterson served in various executive and operational positions for Aker Maritime, Inc., the deepwater division of Aker Maritime ASA of Norway, over the course of 20 years. He spent the first nine years of his career in various positions at Norwegian Contractors, an offshore oil and gas platform contractor. Mr. Petterson is a National Association of Corporate Directors (“NACD”) Board Leadership Fellow. He received a M.Sc., Engineering, as well as a B.S., from Norwegian University of Technology.

Scott Kornblau

SCOTT KORNBLAU joined Great Lakes in October 2021 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Great Lakes, he was with Diamond Offshore Drilling in Houston for over 24 years, serving as Vice President and Treasurer from 2007 until 2017, and more recently, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 2017 until September 2021. Previously, he worked as an auditor for KPMG.

Mr. Kornblau graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Accounting and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas.

As a member of the Great Lakes’ Executive Team, Mr. Kornblau offers over 25 years of financial leadership, specializing in accounting, financing and strategy.

David Johanson

DAVID JOHANSON was named Senior Vice President, Project Acquisition & Operation after serving as Senior Vice President, Gulf Region. Before that, Mr. Johanson was promoted to Vice President and Hydraulic Division Manager in 2015 and served as Vice President Project Director of Charleston Deepening Projects from 2018-2020 which included the largest dredging contract ever awarded by the US Army Corps of Engineers. He joined the company in 1994 as a Field Engineer and has held positions of increasing responsibility in project management.

Mr. Johanson earned a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University and MBA – finance specialization from University of South Carolina. He is a past President and past Board Member of the Western Dredging Association Eastern Branch, member of The Moles and is a member of American Society of Civil Engineers.

Christopher G. Gunsten, P.E.

CHRISTOPHER G. GUNSTEN, P.E. was appointed to Senior Vice President, Project Services & Fleet Engineering after serving as Senior Vice President, Project Services. Previously he served as Vice President, International Operations with responsibility for acquiring projects, providing estimation data, and leading field supervision of work in progress. Chris began his career with Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company as a Field Engineer in1992. Career highlights include serving as Deputy Project Manager for Chevron’s Wheatstone LNG Project’s Engineering, Procure and Construct dredging subcontract in Onslow, WA, Australia valued at $1.2 billion AUD, as Project Manager executing a series of capital projects for the USACE New York District’s 45 and 50 Foot Harbor Deepening Programs, and as Operations Manager for GLDD’s Øresund Fixed Link Project in Copenhagen, Denmark. He received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Rutgers University and his MBA from Loyola University Chicago.

Eleni Beyko, Ph.D.

Vivienne Schiffer

Vivienne “Lie” Schiffer joined Great Lakes Dredge & Dock in December 2020 as SVP, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, and Corporate Secretary, and leads the Company’s legal and compliance organization, providing legal counsel to Executive Management and the Board of Directors. Lie’s specific responsibilities include the oversight of corporate governance, policy and regulatory strategy development, litigation, environmental matters, intellectual property, global corporate compliance, and labor and employment laws. She leads the Company’s sustainability reporting. As a member of Great Lakes’ Executive Team, she reports directly to the CEO.

Prior to joining Great Lakes, Lie was a senior corporate and securities partner in the global firm of Thompson & Knight, LLP, now Holland & Knight, LLP. She has over 40 years of experience and has held significant legal, business, and operational leadership roles in the industrials sector, including advising clients on a range of corporate governance, capital markets and M&A matters.

A member of the Asian American Journalists Association, Lie holds a Juris Doctor from Tulane University, a certification in sustainability from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, and a certification in Cybersecurity Governance for the Board of Directors from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management.

William H. Hanson

WILLIAM H. HANSON is the Senior Vice President – Market Development. A 44 year veteran of the dredging and maritime construction industry, Bill Hanson has been with GLDD for 34 years and a Vice President since 2004. In 2013, he opened GLDD’s first office in Washington DC. Mr. Hanson began his career with the US Army Corps of Engineers in Galveston and Los Angeles, and then worked for Connolly Pacific of Long Beach, California before joining GLDD in 1988. At GLDD, he served in management roles in the North Atlantic and Southern Divisions as well as managing Latin America for 12 years. Mr. Hanson serves on several Federal Advisory committees as well as on boards of groups with national and regional interest to GLDD, and several academic advisory boards related to ocean and coastal engineering. Mr. Hanson is a 1979 Ocean Engineering graduate of Texas A&M, where he was named a distinguished alumni in 2013.

Lynn Nietfeld

LYNN NIETFELD was named Senior Vice President, East Coast Region in 2023. Ms. Nietfeld previously served as Senior Vice President, Southeast Region since 2022. Prior roles include Vice President – Senior Project Sponsor, Project Area Operations Southeast, and Senior Project Sponsor, overseeing projects in the Southeast and West Coast beginning 2011. Prior to this role, she worked as a Project Manager on several Great Lakes projects, including a deepening project in Long Beach, California and the Columbia River. Ms. Nietfeld joined Great Lakes in 1995 as a Field Engineer and brings over 27 years of engineering and operations leadership.

Ms. Nietfeld received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota.

Mark Reid

MARK REID was named Senior Vice President, Capital Projects in 2023. Mr. Reid previously served as Senior Vice President, Northeast Region with overall responsibility for processes, policies and controls for ensuring that dredging operations are executed safely, and efficiently, profitably and consistent with Corporate operating and site procedures.

Mr. Reid earned a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management Technology from Purdue University. He is a member of the International Society of Explosive Engineers and the Western Dredging Association. He joined Great Lakes in 1993 filling engineering and management roles throughout the US, Middle East and Denmark. He has sponsored multiple capital Harbor Deepening Programs for a number of USACE Districts. Mr. Reid also manages the company’s drilling and blasting operations and licensing.

Garrett L. Gibson

Garrett L. Gibson was appointed to Vice President Project Sponsor & Gulf of Mexico Region Manager responsible for the overall acquisition, client management and project execution for the Gulf of Mexico Region. Prior to this, Mr. Garrett was promoted to Vice President, Senior Project Sponsor in 2020, working in the Gulf Region.

Garrett began his career with Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company as a Field Engineer in 2000, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University.

Steven W. Becker

STEVEN W. BECKER was named Senior Vice President, Fleet Engineering in 2020 after serving as Senior Vice President of the Plant & Equipment Division since 2013, and Vice President from 2006. Since 1995, he has managed the Equipment Maintenance and Mechanical Engineering Departments. Prior to serving as a Vice President, Mr. Becker held the positions of Chief Mechanical Engineer Manager and Manager of Production Engineering. He joined Great Lakes in 1984 as a Field Engineer after interning with the company during college as a Design Engineer/Draftsman. Mr. Becker earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois.

Steven R. Auernhamer

STEVEN R. AUERNHAMER was named Vice President, LNG Projects in 2023. Since 2020, Mr. Auernhamer was Vice President, Commercial Clients and was previously GLDD’s VP and Area Manager, Gulf Coast since 2012.

He started with Great Lakes in 1990 as a Field Engineer after graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University. He was promoted to Hydraulic Division Engineer in 1999, and a Project Sponsor in 2006, and Area Manager, Gulf Coast in 2011.

Jason W. Campbell

Jason Campbell joined Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company in September 2013 as Risk Manager, and was appointed VP of Health, Safety & Environment in 2021. Jason has over 24 years of experience and has held various safety and risk roles in Oil and Gas, Utilities, Deep Tunnel, and Heavy Civil industries.

Jason has a B.S. in Safety Management from the University of Central Missouri State and served in the U.S. Navy. He is a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals.

Stan Ekren

Stan has over 39 years of experience in the dredging Industry working with 23 USACE District Offices, located on the West, Gulf and East Coast, as well as the Great Lakes, Mississippi River System and mid-America. He has completed numerous project types including Harbor/Channel Deepening, Beach and Marsh Restoration, Land Creation, Car/Rail Tunnel Crossings, Navigation Dredging, and Inland Reservoir Dredging. Additionally, Stan has been involved in the pricing of dredging opportunities on four (4) continents and both the Canadian & U.S. Arctic. Stan’s prior experience includes ownership of B+B Dredging, a small business, Hub Zone Hopper Dredge Company.

Ryan Bayer

Ryan Bayer, CPA, joined Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer in August 2023. He is responsible for GLDD’s accounting, financial reporting, accounts payable, and tax functions.

Ryan Bayer is a seasoned finance professional with a progressive and proven track record of excellence in accounting leadership. With over 18 years of experience within public accounting and industry, Ryan has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of accounting principles, strategic financial management, and regulatory compliance.

Throughout Ryan’s career, he has successfully navigated complex financial landscapes, adapting to evolving industry regulations and standards.

Prior to joining Great Lakes, Ryan was Corporate Controller at PERMA-PIPE International Holdings, Inc. Earlier in his career, he served in various accounting and finance roles at AFGlobal Corporation, Sanchez Oil & Gas Corporation, and was a Senior Manager at KPMG LLP.

Ryan graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, and Masters of Professional Accounting. Ryan is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the State of Texas.

T. Christopher Roberts

T. CHRISTOPHER ROBERTS was named Vice President, Hopper and Mechanical Fleets in October 2022. Previously, Mr. Roberts served as Vice President, Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge Fleet Manager since 2011, having developed and managed the Field Engineering Department from 1996. He joined the Company in 1989 as a Field Engineer Intern and within Engineering roles worked on Company projects throughout the U.S. and Middle East. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering Technology from Murray State University and a Master of Business Administration from Lewis University.

Trond Ellefsen

TROND ELLEFSEN was appointed Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, Technology and Innovation, in 2023. Previously he was Vice President, IT & Digital Innovation, leading the company’s IT function in addition to implementing the company’s digital transformation initiatives.

Mr. Ellefsen has more than 25 years in global leadership positions in the oil, gas, and energy industries including CTO for a Nano technology company and also held the position of Chief Executive Officer for an artificial intelligence, analytics, and consultancy company practice providing technical and business strategies and solutions for Fortune 100 companies. He joined Great Lakes in September 2020 as Vice President for IT & Digital Innovation.

Mr. Ellefsen holds an Electrical Engineering degree from Technical Institute of Gothenburg and a Master’s Program in Technical Leadership & Development from BI Norwegian Business School of Stavanger.

Armand F. Riehl

In 2021, Armand F. Riehl was appointed to Vice President, Senior Project Sponsor in the South East Region. Previously, Armand worked as a Senior Project Manager on major US Port Deepening Projects and as a Project Sponsor from 2015 to 2021. Armand also worked in the International Division in various roles including Operations Manager / Project Sponsor for the 48 million m3 Joint Venture Project, Suez Canal Deepening with Dredging International NV.

Armand began his career with Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company as a Field Engineer Intern in 2000, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Louisiana State University, and a Masters of Business Administration from Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business.

Dave Allen

Dave Allen was named Vice President, Hydraulic and Support Fleets in October 2022 after serving as Vice President, Cutter Suction Dredge Fleet Manager since January 2021. Mr. Allen’s career progression with Great Lakes includes General Superintendent of Dredging Operations, Hopper Division Dredge Manager, and Project Manager for various large scale projects on the East, West, and Gulf U.S. Coasts. He began his career with Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company as a Field Engineer in 1998 and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from The Ohio State University.

Richard Balzano

Richard Balzano joined Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company as Vice President, Government Relations in November 2023.

Mr. Balzano has over 30 years of experience in the maritime and U.S. government sectors. In his government service positions he has severed as Special Advisor to Senator James Inhofe, presidentially appointed Deputy Maritime Administrator, and senior staff on the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security. He is a combat veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, retiring from the U.S. Navy at the rank of Captain. In addition to his government service Mr. Balzano served as the CEO for the Dredging Contractors of America in the private sector.

Mr. Balzano earned his B.S. in Marine Engineering with a minor in Nuclear Engineering from the Maine Maritime Academy where he has been placed on the Alumni Wall of Honor and holds an M.S. in Environmental Sciences from Johns Hopkins University. Mr. Balzano also holds active dual U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Licenses.