FMSAA
Hall Of Fame
Robert E. Berner, Class of 1965
Marketing Executive/Technical Advisor, Exxon International
Career Highlights:
- Coordinated International Marine Fuel sales and delivery organizations located in Exxon worldwide affiliated companies.
- Provided marine sales lubrication and wear (tribology) expertise
- Stewarded 12 global affiliated companies' marine fuel product line to management through annual planning budget and operating forecast cycle
- Facilitated annual 1-1/2 to 3 day international marine managers meeting directed at improving price management, service quality, and customer relations
- Chaired annual Marine Industry fuel quality panel and presented industry conference papers on marine fuel quality
- Effective member of IS Project Team which developed and maintained an efficient sales marketing and accounting system servicing 13 international on-line marine affiliates
- Trouble-shoot vessel operating problems with customer which led to improved technical understanding of fuel and lube oil quality parameters impacting on both vessel operations and product price
- Conducted on site vessel inspections to assess equipment failure cause and provide product application instruction for both fuels and lubricants
- Effectively priced and sold for maximum profit 13,500 barrels/day marine fuels
Prior Positions:
- Technical Advisor, Marketing Marine Sales, Exxon International
- Coordinated 19 Exxon USA Marine fuel delivery port procedures and successfully negotiated marine fuel claims from $520K down to $110K
- Analyzed 2,000/yr fuel and used lubricant samples test results and provided customer direction for safe, trouble free, and efficient use
- Facilitated Exxon USA Port Representatives biennial Marine Sales training course
- Machinery Section Head, Tanker Research & Development
- Developed procedures and products from idea to application for the improvement of the Exxon International Tanker fleet in the areas of Safety, pollution prevention and control, work reduction, and energy conservation
- Managed 11 professional staff engineers and associated $880k projects budget for approximately 40 R&D projects per year
- Energy Conservation Coordinator, Tanker Operations Department
- In a period of steeply rising energy costs, Mr. Berner's role was to reduce the 98 vessel Exxon International fleets' marine fuel costs, which were exceeding $100 million.
- Managed vessel Energy Audit process and seven-person team of Italian and Spanish chief engineers to identify and correct inefficient vessel operations
- Organized staff and chief engineer energy training programs. Intensive staff energy conservation training by university professors focused team efforts to achieve the 3% energy reduction goal and provided ownership to vessels' engine staff
- Detailed accurate Energy Audit reports which led to finalization of vessel class operating guides and capital improvements for improved vessel efficiency
- Vessel Repair Superintendent - Tanker Operations Department
- Coordinated and supervised major shipyard overhaul and port turn around repairs of International tanker fleet with vessels ranging in size from handy to ultra large crude carriers
- Conducted onboard surveys and determined required machinery and hull repairs
- Prepared and priced repair specifications and negotiated final shipyard repair invoice
- Marine Chief Engineer
- Managed 15-member engine department of US Flag merchant vessel.
Education:
- SUNY Maritime College (BE, Marine Engineering)
- Fairleigh Dickinson University (MBA)
Achievment Recognition:
- Bunker News Award 1999 - "In recognition of contributions to the promotion and development of the International Bunker Industry."
Licenses:
- US Coast Guard Chief Engineer's License, Steam
- US Coast Guard Third Assistant Engineer's License, Diesel
Personal:
- Mr. Berner was a Youth Soccer Coach for 10 years and the Chatham United Soccer Club President for 6 years.