Barrere to complete term of the late Mike Finnigan as EVP

Capt. William C. "Willie" Barrere will complete the first term of AMO National Executive Vice President Capt. Michael F. "Mike" Finnigan, who passed away suddenly on March 19.

AMO National President Paul Doell appointed Capt. Barrere to the official position under authority provided to the AMO National President under Article VIII Section 1(e) of the AMO National Constitution.

"This most appropriate appointment was made in the interest of sustained administrative stability and uninterrupted focus on important ongoing union business," Doell said.

Capt. Barrere, who joined American Maritime Officers in March 1985, is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. His first AMO job was Third Mate on the PFC James Anderson Jr. with Maersk Line Ltd. His first job as Master was with Crowley Liner Services on the American Condor in 1989.

Capt. Barrere served much of his seagoing career in commercial markets worldwide and in strategic sealift service and other military support missions overseas. His last vessel assignment was Master on the Maersk Missouri.

In September 2016, Barrere came ashore as AMO's West Coast Representative, the job he had held until today.

"Mike Finnigan would be pleased with this appointment of his friend Willie Barrere as his relief," Doell said. "Willie is thoughtful, thorough and transparent in his conversations with AMO members aboard ship and ashore - values Willie and Mike shared. Willie is committed firmly to the professional and personal interests of AMO members everywhere, and his reliable counsel on contract issues and other administrative matters has served our union well."