Murdaugh Resigns From Austal

Mobile-based Austal USA has announced the departure of President Rusty Murdaugh and the installation of Michelle Kruger, Austal vice president of global services and support, as acting president until a successor is named. Murdaugh was named president in September 2021 (after serving as acting president since February 2021) and “led Austal USA through significant changes that ushered in a period of unprecedented growth,” the company said. Under his leadership, Austal completed the addition of steel shipbuilding capability to the Mobile shipyard, which led to major competitive awards in the U.S. Coast Guard Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter program and U.S. Navy ocean surveillance ship program, creating more than $6 billion in new construction backlog. During his tenure, Austal opened a waterfront ship repair facility in San Diego, greatly expanding the company’s repair business, and acquired property in Mobile that will facilitate the continued expansion of the Mobile shipyard.