River Bell Awards Luncheon
Our 2024 River Bell Awards Luncheon Date is set. Join us on December 5, 2024.
SCI is excited to announce that our 24th Annual River Bell Awards Luncheon will take place on Thursday, December 5, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Paducah-McCracken County Convention & Expo Center in Paducah, KY. Join us as we come together to celebrate the inland maritime industry!
Congratulations to our 2024 River Bell Awards Luncheon Honorees:
River Bell Award: Bob Blocker — American Commercial Barge Line
River Legend Award: Charles A. Haun Jr. — Parker Towing Company, Inc.
Distinguished Service Award: Matt Woodruff — Kirby Corporation
Lifesaving Award:
- The Crew of the M/V Capt. Rodney Adams — Blessey Marine Services, Inc.
- The Crew of the M/V Hallie M. Merrick — Canal Barge Company
Thank you to our generous sponsors, supporters, and everyone who joined us at the 2023 River Bell Awards Luncheon! This record-breaking event welcomed nearly 600 attendees, and raised over $500,000 to support SCI’s vital services and programs. We congratulate this year’s award recipients, applauding their outstanding contributions and unwavering dedication to the inland maritime community. Your support makes a significant impact, and we are truly grateful.
Thank you to our sponsors and supporters
2023 Honorees
River Bell Award
Darin Adrian
President, River Division
Marquette Transportation Company, LLC
River Legend Award
Gerald E. “Jerry” Clower
President
Harbor Towing and Fleeting, LLC
Distinguished Service Award
Rear Admiral Richard Timme
U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.)
Lifesaving Award
The Crew of the M/V Mike Sanders
American Commercial Barge Line
The Crew of the M/V Mary Ellen Jones
Amherst Madison, Inc.
The Crew of the M/V San D
Parker Towing
View the 2023 Lifesaving Award recipient videos here:
2023 Award Winners
View the photo album from the 2023 River Bell Awards Luncheon HERE.
Pictured from left to right:
Damon Judd – President and CEO Marquette Transportation Company (River Bell Committee Co-Chair)
2023 River Bell Award recipient Darin Adrian – President, River Division, Marquette Transportation Company
John Eckstein – Executive Chairman, Marquette Transportation Company
Merritt Lane – President and CEO, Canal Barge (River Bell Committee Co-Chair)
The Rev. Mark Nestlehutt – President and Executive Director, The Seamen’s Church Institute
Pictured from left to right:
Damon Judd – President and CEO Marquette Transportation Company (River Bell Committee Co-Chair)
River Legend Award recipient Gerald Clower – President and Owner, Harbor Towing and Fleeting
Todd Clower – CEO and Owner, Harbor Towing and Fleeting
Merritt Lane – President & CEO, Canal Barge (River Bell Committee Co-Chair)
The Rev. Mark Nestlehutt – President and Executive Director, The Seamen’s Church Institute
Pictured from left to right:
Damon Judd – President and CEO Marquette Transportation Company (River Bell Committee Co-Chair)
Distinguished Service Award recipient Rear Admiral Richard Timme – U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.)
Merritt Lane – President and CEO, Canal Barge (River Bell Committee Co-Chair)
The Rev. Mark Nestlehutt – President and Executive Director, The Seamen’s Church Institute
Pictured from left to right:
Mary McCarthy – Director of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility, Moran Towing Corporation (2023 River Bell Committee member)
Darius Thomas – Deckhand, Parker Towing
Nick Verdugo – Relief Captain, Parker Towing
Chris Eberlein – Port Captain, Parker Towing
Pictured Left to Right:
– Brandon Yarborough — Captain, American Commercial Barge Line
– Kevin Wallace – Engineer, American Commercial Barge Line
– Delay Yancy – Mate, American Commercial Barge Line
Pictured from left to right.
– Mary McCarthy – Director of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility, Moran Towing Corporation
– Adam Adkins — Captain, Amherst Madison
– Lane Rhoades — Mate, Amherst Madison
– Bill Barr – Vice President for Safety and Compliance, Amherst Madison