The National Rivers Hall of Fame presented the National Achievement Award to Craig Philip at the Seamen’s Church Institute’s 14th Annual River Bell Awards luncheon on Dec.12, 2013. The National Rivers Hall of Fame Award celebrates Philip’s work fostering the economy and stewardship of the nation’s inland waterways and recognizes his significant contributions to the rivers of America.
For 30 years, Craig Philip has affected the marine, rail, and intermodal industries through his various professional and senior management positions. He first came to Ingram Barge Company, one of the largest domestic marine businesses, in 1982 and served in various capacities until 1987. He rejoined the company in 1991 from Southern Pacific Railroad, where he was Vice President of their Intermodal Division. He was named President of Ingram Barge Company in 1994 and Chief Executive Officer in 1999.
Ingram now operates nearly 5,000 barges transporting coal, grain, aggregates, fertilizer, ores, alloys, steel products and chemicals. Their towboats travel the nation’s waters on the Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee, Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Kanawha, Illinois and the Monongahela rivers.
Philip’s dedication to this essential part of the nation’s economy goes beyond his professional career. He is actively involved in industry and professional organizations. In particular, he has served as Chairman of both the National Waterways Conference and the American Waterways Operators. While with AWO, Philip was the driving force behind the towing industry’s partnership with the US Coast Guard which led to drastically improved safety and public image. He also supports mariners through service on the Boards of Arkansas Best Corporation, the Coast Guard Foundation, the National Waterways Foundation, and The Seamen’s Church Institute. Philip was instrumental in having The Seamen’s Church Institute establish the Center for Maritime Education, the premier training facility for inland mariners in the country.