Jeffersonville, Ind. Marine transportation company American Commercial Barge Line announced a reorganization to its business units and leadership.
The company, which is a leader in inland barge transport in the United States, said that these moves were “designed to enhance operational efficiency, optimize customer satisfaction, and ensure successful implementation of ACBL’s Fleet Strategy”.
Patrick Sutton, formerly Chief Operating Officer (COO), assumes the new role as Senior Vice President (SVP) for Fleet Development and Strategy, responsible for vessel reliability and building, as well leasing and acquisitions. Sutton will also be leading ACBL’s barge pooling segment.
Brent Cervenka will take over as COO. He has previously held roles at Target and Amazon, Pitney-Bowes, and Pandion Logistic. As COO he will oversee fleet and facility operations as well as safety and operational training.
ACBL also announced that it would reorganize the dry cargo division in June 2025, when the division’s SVP Bob Blocker is scheduled to retire. Blocker will continue to work closely with the dry-cargo team and Ricky Stover, the newly hired Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), over the next 12 months until his retirement.
Stover’s new role as CCO will include all non-liquid commercial activity, business growth, mergers and purchases. He has 20+ years’ experience in the rail industry and trucking sector, and most recently served as a Sales and Marketing Officer at Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway.
Rich McCarty will continue to lead the grain market. Jeff Carman will also be promoted to vice-president of sales and marketing.
This reorganization confirms that we are committed to building a team of strong and diverse individuals capable of executing strategic initiatives. “With ACBL and industry veteran Patrick Sutton as our fleet development strategist and Brent Cervenka, joining us as Chief Operating Officer, we are well positioned to continue our journey of transformation and build on our operational expertise,” said ACBL CEO Mike Ellis.
“The addition and promotion of Jeff Carman as vice president of sales & marketing and Ricky Stover to chief commercial officer marks another crucial phase in the transformation of our journey.” Their expertise and leadership are going to drive us towards achieving our long term strategy and reinforcing the position of our trusted leader in marine transport,” Ellis continued.
“I am deeply grateful to Bob Blocker, for his valuable contributions and dedicated service. We look forward to celebrating Bob Blocker’s remarkable career as he transitions from his active career into retirement.