Michelle Kruger Appointed President of Austal USA

Austal Limited (Austal) is pleased to announce that the Austal USA Board of Directors has appointed Michelle Kruger President of Austal USA. Michelle has been Interim President since July 2023 and assumes the permanent role immediately.

Michelle joined Austal USA in 2022 as Vice President of Global Services and Support, responsible for global post-delivery vessel repair and warranty services. She quickly and successfully implemented a number of business strategies, developed key government and commercial business partnerships and has overseen the delivery of projects that have added value to the business, including the opening of Austal USA’s new San Diego waterfront facility and the delivery of a 9,000 ton capacity dry dock.

Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg congratulated Michelle Kruger on her appointment as President Austal USA, which has been welcomed by employees, customers, and industry.

“Michelle Kruger has quickly demonstrated her exceptional capability to lead the Austal USA team and deliver on multiple shipbuilding, repair and maintenance projects,” Gregg said.

“Michelle has developed outstanding, positive working relationships with Austal USA’s customers and stakeholders, supply chain partners and employees and her appointment has been warmly welcomed throughout the industry.

“My warmest congratulations to Michelle, as we move forward with certainty to deliver Austal USA’s multiple shipbuilding projects for the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard.”

Upon her appointment, Austal USA President Michelle Kruger added: “I am thrilled and committed to lead Austal USA’s efforts in becoming the premier surface ship shipbuilder and submarine module manufacturer of choice, in the nation. As a team we will continue to deliver worldwide service and support capability while steadily advancing technology in support of our nation’s readiness needs.”

Michelle Kruger is a qualified marine engineer with more than 25 years of maritime industry experience in new construction, repair, and maintenance operations. She has a bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, was commissioned into the US Navy reserves in 1987 and earned a master’s degree in Marine Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1995). She has previously held roles as VP of Operations at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works delivering DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers for the US Navy; Director of Repair Administration, LCS Program Management and VP New Construction Planning at General Dynamics NASSCO; and Electric Boat working on the Virginia-class submarine program.

This ASX announcement has been approved and authorized for release by Paddy Gregg, Austal Limited’s Chief Executive Officer.