Two honored with Thomas Crowley Award

OCTOBER 19, 2012 — Kenneth Graybill, captain of Crowley Maritime Corporation’s articulated tug-barge (ATB) Legend/750-2, and Sal Menoyo, general manager of Crowley’s Port Everglades terminal, have been presented with 2011 Thomas Crowley Awards, the company’s highest honor, at a ceremony in Jacksonville Fla. Captain Graybill is the first person in company history to receive the trophy as a mariner.

Left to right: Captain Graybill, Tom Crowley and Sal Menoyo

Crowley created the employee recognition program in 1985. Since then, only 54 of the company’s more than 5,300 employees have received the award. symbolized by a limited edition bronze sculpture that depicts company founder Thomas Crowley ferrying goods to and from ships on San Francisco Bay in the early 1890s. The trophy serves not only as a tribute to the founder of the company, but also to those honorees who have aligned themselves closely with the company’s values displaying outstanding performance, dedication, leadership and initiative.

Crowley’s Chairman, President and CEO Tom Crowley Jr., the grandson of the company’s founder, presented the awards  before more than 110 employees and senior leaders who had gathered from around the world for an important company safety summit. Included in audience were 14 past recipients of the Thomas Crowley Award.

“Both of these men embody the qualities that this trophy represents,” said Mr. Crowley. “The honor for Captain Graybill, however, takes on additional meaning, not only because he is the first seagoing employee to be presented with this award, but also because he was nominated earlier this year by Captain Vic Goldberg.”

Captain Goldberg, who worked for Crowley as vice president of marine operations for the company’s petroleum transportation group for 10 years, passed away unexpectedly in early October.

“In his submission letter, Vic wrote that he nominated Ken because ‘he has been a leader amongst his shipmates, always commanding his vessel in a professional manner. Most importantly, Captain Graybill has been the sea trial master for all of [Crowley’s] new ATBs prior to their delivery. This requires long periods away from home during his vacation time … Kenny has never refused to help when it is needed. I believe he measures up to all the values that this trophy embodies.’ I couldn’t agree more,” said Mr. Crowley.

“This is an amazing honor,” said Captain Graybill. “I accept it with heartfelt appreciation. It’s important for my fellow crewmembers to understand that we are recognized for a job well done. We are part of a company that recognizes that.”

Mr. Menoyo has also demonstrated unyielding dedication to the company.

“Sal started his career at Crowley in Puerto Rico and has moved through the ranks to where he is today. He has done a fantastic job,” explained Mr. Crowley. “­­­He has embraced our safety culture by starting a great new safety program in St. Thomas and he’s doing it again now in Port Everglades. He’s taking this long-time Crowley port to a whole new level and reviving it with his fresh, new approach. But that’s only part of the reason why he was awarded. He also is recognized for the ‘can-do’ attitude he has displayed across so many disciplines and in so many locations.”

“I am very humbled and honored to receive the award,” said Mr. Menoyo. “I dedicate this award to all the employees who I have worked with throughout my career and allowed me to contribute to Crowley’s success and accomplishments. We are very lucky to work for such a great company where our core values are the driving force of our business.”

Captain Graybill, who lives in Jacksonville, began his career at Crowley in 2002 as a chief mate in Virginia, and by 2003 had become a master. In 2005 and 2006, he transferred as a master to New Jersey and Jacksonville, consecutively, and he most recently sailed as captain aboard the Legend/750-2, one of three vessels in the class of Crowley’s largest ATBs.

Mr. Menoyo, domiciled in Port Everglades, Fla., joined Crowley in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1995 as a senior port captain. In 2000, he transferred to Crowley’s liner services team and held the roles of manager, cargo services, and manager, cargo operations, in St. Thomas. In 2004, he transferred to San Juan, Puerto Rico, as manager, yard operations, and soon after was advanced to the role of manager, cargo claims. In 2008, Menoyo was transferred back to St. Thomas as director of port operations and was soon promoted to general manager. In early 2011, he transferred to Port Everglades in the same position. He has a bachelor’s degree in marine transportation from the Maritime College at Fort Schuyler, State University of New York. He is also a certified facility security officer.