Page 16: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Q3 2016)

15 17

INTERVIEW

Maritime Logistics Professional

Profile

Laura ShermanLaura Sherman

Director, Marketing & Communications,

IRI Group members all over the globe wear many

WISTA and varied hats on the waterfront. Laura

Sherman of the IRI group of companies, on the other hand, wears more than one, every day. She joined IRI in 2001 as a

Marketing Coordinator, and was promoted to Director, Mar- keting and Communications in 2007. More recently, she has also been tasked with the role of Operations Technology Of- ? cer, working with the different of? ces and departments to ensure that all aspects of the implementation of information technology services were considered across the company. The two concurrent roles keep her busy, but they also complement one another nicely when it comes to putting out the good word for IRI, as well as making sure that message is conveyed safe- ly; and in the most effective manner possible.

Early Exposure

A 1985 family visit to Caracas, Venezuela provided Sher- man’s ? rst look at the maritime industry. A luncheon on board a Panama-? agged and Greek manned vessel opened her eyes to another part of the world that most people never get to see.

Fifteen years later, while working towards an MBA, she began to look for employment that would allow her to continue her studies. Responding to an advertisement for a position with

International Registries, Inc. (IRI), her research also found that IRI provided administrative and technical support to the

Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime and Corporate

Registries. She’s been on the waterfront ever since.

It has been said that very few people ever get to do exactly what makes them happy and ful? lled, every day at work. If that’s true, Sherman is one of the lucky ones. She told Mar-

Pro in July, “The maritime industry is very dynamic and an international business in the truest sense. After nearly 15 years with IRI, I can honestly say that I have always been interested in my work and in fact, I am constantly engaged and chal- 16 Maritime Logistics Professional 3Q 2016I I 1-17 Q3 MP2016.indd 16 1-17 Q3 MP2016.indd 16 8/17/2016 11:46:11 AM8/17/2016 11:46:11 AM