Richard Currence

Richard Currence was Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Tidewater until he retired in March of 2003. He spent 36 years of his 39 year career in the offshore marine service business – providing services to the majors, independents and national oil companies as well as offshore drilling contractors, construction companies, and geophysical companies. Early in his career, he joined Tidewater Marine Service. In 1973, he joined Gulf Fleet Marine Corporation. He became CEO in 1977 after serving as manager of the company’s activity in Europe (North Sea) and Africa. He had considerable success in growing the company until 1984 at which time GFM was merged with three other companies to form Zapata Gulf Marine Corporation, then the largest company providing marine service to the offshore industry on a world-wide basis. Richard became President and COO of ZGMC but left in 1985 to rejoin Tidewater as President and COO of Tidewater Marine, which merged with ZGMC in 1992. Tidewater was the surviving company, and Richard became Executive VP and COO of the consolidated company until his retirement. He has served as a board member and chairman (twice) of the Offshore Marine Service Association (New Orleans); the International Service Vessel Owners Association (London); and the National Ocean Industries Association (Washington, DC). Richard holds a law degree from Tulane University. (This is me - Update Profile)