NOIA gains new board members

The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) board of directors has elected John T. Rynd as chair of NOIA and Cindy B. Taylor as vice chair of NOIA for the upcoming 2014-2015 term. Rynd and Taylor assumed their positions at the NOIA Annual Meeting, 10 April 2014, in Washington, DC.

Since 2008, Rynd has been the CEO and president, Hercules Offshore Inc., a publicly traded, global provider of offshore contract drilling and liftboat services headquartered in Houston, Texas. He also sits on the company’s board of directors, and served as NOIA vice chairman for the 2013-2014 term.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as Chairman of NOIA. This is a critical time for the offshore energy industry, as we move to expand our access to undeveloped offshore acreage,” Rynd said.  “I look forward to working alongside our member companies, NOIA leadership, and regulators to advance the mission of NOIA to promote the safe development of offshore energy for the continued growth and security of the United States.”

Taylor has been president and CEO of Oil States International Inc. since 2007.  She also serves on the company’s board of directors.  Oil States International is a publicly traded, diversified oilfield services company, also based in Houston. 

“I consider it a great honor and privilege to assume an expanded leadership role with NOIA.  I look forward to working with the organization and its member companies as we move into the first phases of developing the next 5-year offshore leasing plan with the Department of the Interior,” Taylor said.

Rynd has served in various executive level positions since joining Hercules Offshore in 2005. Prior to joining the Company; Rynd spent 11 years with Noble Drilling Services Inc., where he served in a variety of management roles, including vice president of investor relations and vice president marketing and contracts. Rynd also served in various management roles at Chiles Offshore, culminating in vice president of marketing. During 10 years of service for Rowan Companies Inc., he served in various roles of increasing levels of responsibility on offshore rigs.  He graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor of arts in economics.

Taylor has served at Oil States since 2000, first as senior vice president, CFO and treasurer, then president and COO, followed by her CEO appointment in 2007.   Prior to Oil States, she was CFO of L.E. Simmons & Associates, a private equity firm specializing in oilfield service investments, the VP Controller of Cliffs Drilling Company, and she held various positions with Ernst & Young LLP. She holds a B.B.A. from Texas A&M University and is a certified public accountant.