
The newly reformed Chicago Propeller Club is strengthening its organizing committee with two senior appointments.
The new board members are Chad Cailteux owner of 5R Enterprises, LLC of Morris, Illinois and Jason Brown operations manager of Lakes and Rivers Contracting of Lemont, Illinois.
Chicago Propeller Club President Chris Carr welcomed the Chad and Jason to the team saying are helping spearhead the club’s engagement with manufacturing and engineering firms.
“Chad and Jason bring contacts, experience and extensive knowledge of the marine industry to the club,” he said. “It is brilliant to have them on board to drive membership and greater awareness on the Great Lakes and Inland River network. We are seeing tremendous enthusiasm for the club since we rechartered in March. Our five events in the last year have attracted more than 300 people and the caliber of guests we are welcoming is fantastic. We already know deals are being done and strong relationships are being built. We look forward to working with Chad and Jason to restate Chicago to its position as one of the prime propeller clubs in the US and a home of maritime networking on the Great Lakes.”
Jason said: “I want to thank Chris and the other Board Members for inviting me to be part of the growth and development of the Propeller Club here in Chicago, historically one of the most important maritime regions in the Nation. I look forward to bringing together professionals from across the industry here in Chicago, the Great Lakes and the Inland Waterways of the Midwest to build strong and lasting relationships in the maritime industry. “
Chad said: “The Propeller clubs around the world, have a great history in promoting the maritime industry. Advocating for the Maritime industry, has been a benchmark minimum for 5R Enterprises, since its inception in 2015. Without our inland ports and waterways, including the Great Lakes, and the ability to fund and maintain those long term, commerce gets backed up and is delayed getting to market. We must preserve the waterways to keep the US economy thriving.”
Cailteux has more than 18 years’ experience in the heavy equipment business and has built 5R into one of the country’s primary river and material handling equipment businesses. He has further been on the Illinois River Basin board for Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals (IRPT) since 2012. Brown meanwhile served in the United States Marine Corps before working with the US Army Corps of Engineers prior to joining Lakes & Rivers Contracting. He has 20 years of experience in the civil and marine construction industry and serves on the Board of Directors representing the Great Lakes Basin for IRPT.
Cailteux and Brown join a committee made up of Carr who is managing partner of SBSB Eastham law firm Chicago, Erik Varela, treasurer and executive director of the Port of IIPD, Ian Hirt secretary and consultant to Ports of Indiana and owner of Benchmark Marine, Ben Pinnington VP marketing and managing partner of Polaris Media PR firm, Tara Pappalardo VP membership of RLI insurance and Warren Marwedel of MM&R law firm as Past President.
Organizations which have joined the Chicago Propeller Club include Armada Risk Partners, Ports of Indiana, Illinois International Ports District, Ingram Barges, Central Marine Logistics, Polaris Media, SBSB Eastham law firm, City Experiences, Cassidy Shade, Wendella cruises, Andrie LLC, Metro Ports, Northern Marine, NASCO, Benchmark Marine, Logistec, Regal Rexnord, Daubert Cromwell, Sonihull Ultrasonics, 5R, Lakes & Rivers Contracting, JD Fields, Tunley Environmental, Legacy Environmental, BDG International, American Equity Underwriters, Sompo, Gallagher, Intact, RLI, City Experiences, Crowley Yacht Yard, US Great Lakes Shipping Association, American Great Lakes Ports Association and the Western Great Lakes Pilots Association.
The next Chicago Propeller Club event is October 30 a VIP Chicago River Cruise with silver sponsor Wendella Tours and Cruises register here: Chicago River VIP Networking Cruise Tickets, Wed 30 Oct 2024 at 17:00 | Eventbrite
For more details Email: chicagopropellerclub24@gmail.com visit: www.chicagopropellerclub.com Follow:LinkedIn Chicago Propeller Club
Background
• Chicago Propeller Club is a home of maritime industry networking in the city, inland waterways and Great Lakes region.
• Our aim is to make a positive difference welcoming professionals working in all segments of the maritime and marine industry in Chicago, the Mid West and the Great Lakes.
• The Chicago Propeller Club was first established in 1928 and is a chapter of the US headquartered International Propeller Club of the United States, giving our members access to largest maritime networking organization in the world representing more than 70 clubs and 5000 individual members.
• Membership starts from $150 for an individual while corporate members start at $3000 Silver and $6000 Gold $10,000 Platinum. For more details contact: chicagopropellerclub24@gmail.com
