Posted on September 1, 2020
By Michael Gerhardt, WIDMAC
Cybersecurity and the Future of Great Lakes Maritime with Wisconsin Congressman Mike Gallagher
An AMP Podcast
WIDMAC is pleased to share with you the latest episode of the American Maritime Partnership Podcast where AMP President Mike Roberts and Congressman Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin’s 8th District discuss the unique issues facing the Great Lakes maritime industry. Key issues include the importance of Great Lakes Maritime to U.S. national and economic security, the recent U.S. Navy contract award to Fincantieri Marinette Marine, the Soo Locks, the need for more Great Lakes icebreakers, the growing cybersecurity threats to the maritime industry, and supporting American maritime in the face of COVID-19.
Congressman Gallagher currently serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Armed Services Committee. He is also Co-Chairman of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission which released a report in March roadmapping a strategy for layered cyber deterrence, identifying intelligence gaps and areas of high risk, and ensuring a Continuity of Economy Plan through consultation with private sector entities that support the nation’s “systemically important critical infrastructure,” including maritime.
The American Maritime Partnership engages the leading voices in American maritime to discuss critical issues on domestic shipping, waterways, shipbuilding, and the men and women who make it all work.
Be sure to sign up to follow future episodes. You can also find AMP podcasts on
Apple iTunes and Spotify.
Congressman Mike Gallagher (WI – 08)
Top Photograph
(Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in WI’s 8th District)
J.F. Brennan Awarded Great Place to Work® Certification Despite Pandemic
Wisconsin-based specialty marine construction firm J.F. Brennan Company, Inc. (Brennan), announced on August 12, 2020 its 4th consecutive certification from international research and analytics organization Great Place to Work®.
95% of its employees consider Brennan a great place to work, compared to just 59% of employees at a typical U.S.-based company. Brennan’s high-ranking status among other companies is compounded this year by the changes in safety, travel, and essential work protocol brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are honored to be identified as a Great Place to Work® and are blessed to have one of the greatest teams anywhere in America. Over the past 5 months, nearly every facet of how we’ve done business has changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve seen the true resilience of our team through the diligent, safe performance of our work in this new reality. I believe our team has put us on a path to collectively thrive and be one of those organizations that helps this country recover,” said
Matt Binsfeld, President & CEO of Brennan.
Throughout the pandemic the company increased cleaning staff, disinfectant supplies, added safety signage, implemented mask requirements, and closed all common areas while providing clients a proactive COVID-19 management plan.
96% of employees believe that Brennan’s offices and facilities contribute to their great work environment. Meanwhile Brennan’s management and human resources department credit their people for success on and off the job site.
“The true key to our success within Brennan is our people. As an HR team, we strive to provide the best possible experience to employees at Brennan because without them we could not accomplish the challenging work that we do,” said HR Business Partner
Angela Capwell.
Years before COVID-19 Brennan hired more employees to focus on safety. This year their foresight and safety-first culture helped them continue operations while still following stringent safety recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control. The industry standard for safety professionals to employees is 1:100. Last year Brennan had thirteen safety employees on the ground and four people in administration for its estimated 600 employees.
Brennan is a fourth-generation, family-owned marine construction and environmental remediation company based in La Crosse, employing more than 200 American maritime men and women from Wisconsin and more than 250 additional workers nationwide. Founded as Brennan Brothers Construction by Jim and Gene Brennan in Lansing, Iowa in 1919, Brennan grew from a humble builder of rural roads and bridges in northeast Iowa into a nationally recognized construction, environmental services, and harbor management enterprise. Brennan takes immense pride in upholding the highest levels of safety, integrity, quality, and professionalism.
We are Now Online!!
WIDMAC members can now access the monthly newsletters and additional material straight from the web. If you know someone who is part of the 10,000+ skilled maritime men and women working in a WI shipyard or operating a tug, barge, dredge, or bulk carrier in WI, please encourage them to sign up and support the domestic maritime industry in the Badger State!!
