SCI’s David Rider To Retire In 2020
The Rev. David Rider, president and executive director of the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI), announced June 19 that he intends to retire in 2020 after 12 years of service. As a result, SCI’s Board of Trustees has begun a search for the next leader of the 185 year-old Episcopal charitable organization that serves international seafarers and inland river mariners through pastoral care, maritime education, and legal advocacy.
“David Rider has done a masterful job strengthening SCI’s activities and infrastructure,” said Bruce Paulsen, SCI chairman. “Under his watch, the mission of providing ministry support to seafarers visiting Port Newark and inland river mariners has grown in impact. He developed and modernized SCI’s valuable education arm in Houston and Paducah. Together with SCI’s Center for Seafarers’ Rights, his team worked with the U.S. Coast Guard to secure shore leave access for seafarers calling in American ports. The board and wider SCI community are immensely grateful to David.”
Under Rider’s leadership, SCI modernized its world-class simulator and training facilities in Paducah and Houston. These facilities now serve thousands of mariners annually. This education and safety initiative dovetailed perfectly with the work of SCI’s chaplains who support mariners on U.S. inland rivers and their families, forging ever-closer relationships with the vital community that serves American and world trade. At the same time, Rider steered SCI through a comprehensive upgrade of its Port Newark International Seafarers’ Center, which provides hospitality to thousands of seafarers arriving at the East Coast’s largest port each year.
Rider also oversaw the major Future of Mariners capital campaign to strengthen SCI’s long-term investments and sustain its mission for the next 185 years of service.
SCI’s board, through a new search committee, will conduct a comprehensive selection process to identify Rider’s successor. Rider will continue his full responsibilities through the first or second quarter of 2020, allowing ample time for a successful search and candidate placement.
Craig Philip, chairman of the search committee, commented, “David Rider‘s shoes are large ones to fill, but throughout SCI‘s history new leaders have always stood on the shoulders of past giants. We’re excited about the process of identifying a leader with passion and vision for the mission, confident we will continue SCI’s tradition and serve the mariners of the future.“
Rider’s plans after retirement include continued service to the maritime community through pursuits in maritime mental health suicide prevention and maritime photography.
