Michael Gass

Experience

• 

  General Steamship Agencies, Inc.

  Sept 2000 - May 2006

  * Coordinate docking, lines, loading operation, and clearance formalities with Customs and Border Protection in order to successfully turn a 2200 passenger cruise ship * Facilitate immigration clearance with Customs and Border Protection for crew, passengers, and the vessel * Ensure vessel compliance with local/state/national and government regulations* Worked closely with our cruise line accounts Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line Crystal Cruise Line, Celebrity and Regent Seven Seas management team * Locate and set up new vendors in order to take care of the vessel's needs at a cost effective rate Show less * Manage logistics for cargo ships arriving into the port of Long Beach, Los Angeles and Port Hueneme*Coordinate berthing with the ports, confirm pilots, lines, stevedores*Continually keep vendors, vessels and ship owners aware of changes 24/7 * Streamline clearance with Government authorities in order to expedite cargo operations* Worked closely with cargo clients Evergreen, Pan Ocean, and Star Shipping * Educate the vessel prior to arrival of port requirements and operational plan in order to avoid delays or fines * Attend port meetings with Government Officials to continually improve operations for our clients Show less

  • Senior Vessel Operations Manager

    Sept 2003 - May 2006

  • Operations Manager

    Sept 2000 - Sept 2003
• 

  Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding ASA

  May 2007 - Aug 2011

  Key Account Manager

  * Sold marine equipment and products to some of the biggest cargo vessel lines and cruise lines in the world. *Managed a portfolio of 50-75 accounts on the West Coast including Vancouver Canada* Targeted new accounts to strengthen market share *Led with a team of 10 internal sales representatives to obtain Princess Cruise Line and Holland America generating a multi million dollar contract in 2008* Maintained profitable margins in sales while keeping accounts satisfied* Worked with upper management on contracts* Incentive rate structure to entice accounts to commit a higher purchase volume in other segmented products Show less

• 

  Metro Cruise Services

  Sept 2011 - Mar 2020

  * Responsible for the strategic growth in the areas of stevedoring, ground handling, and port agency operations* Manage overall communication with key clients*Develop sales strategic plans and differential plans against competitors*Receive and respond to requests for proposals from clients, including developing and finalizing related PNL statements *Manage business licenses and permits for our porfolio nationwide*Assist with operations identifying ways of improvement to be more efficient and innovating to increase customer satisfaction*Interface with the Executive Team to develop budget and board reports *Manage and oversee agency operations with various Cruise Line Accounts handling over 200 ship calls in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego and Catalina.* Create financial proposals for cruise lines in all ports to expand our client coverage * Negotiate rates with vendors, looking to reduce costs for a return in stronger margins * Direct a team to handle the operations efficiently and cost effectively without sacrificing service to our clients.

  • National Director, Business Development

    May 2018 - Mar 2020

  • Regional Manager, Business Development

    May 2016 - May 2018

  • Agency Manager

    Sept 2011 - May 2016
• 

  SMS International Shore Operations

  Mar 2020 - now

  Senior Manager, Port Agency