Moving up: Providence has a new CEO. The Baton Rouge-based multidisciplinary engineering and environmental services recently announced Karen Holden succeeded Todd Black and Rich Major, the company’s co-founders and former CEOs, on Jan. 28. Holden is a licensed professional engineer with more than 26 years of experience in the environmental and engineering field. She previously served as the company’s executive vice president. She was selected to be Providence’s new CEO by the company’s board of directors.
Company shakeup: ABiz is reporting that Earl Blackwell is out as Knight Oil Tools president and chief executive officer amid speculation the Lafayette-based company is entertaining potential suitors. Blackwell confirmed his departure to ABiz Monday night after a reporter reached him via cellphone. Blackwell refused to discuss his departure but confirmed he does not have another job lined up. At least one other unnamed official is believed to have left the company in recent weeks. Blackwell tells ABiz he does not have information on that official and would not address speculation about whether the company is for sale. Read the full story.
Under review: The Coast Guard is investigating an accident on the Mississippi River involving an empty oil tanker. The Coast Guard says in a news release that the Nordbay, a 62,000-ton tanker, struck the Jefferson Parish water intake just up the river from New Orleans Tuesday night. The vessel was being directed down the river and while it was en route, the Coast Guard says the tank hit the Gov. Nicholls Street Wharf. The news release says the vessel sustained a hole in the hull, which reportedly discharged ballast water. There are no reports of pollution or injuries. The Associated Press reports Jefferson Parish Councilman Chris Roberts, in a posting on his Facebook page, says officials found no visible damage to the water intakes. Harbor police inspected the wharf and found no damage.
