Page 40: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2025)

MARINE CONSTRUCTION cesses that sustain excellence. “It’s really a story of not just a fam-

The Next Chapter ily, but a lot of families,” he says. “We’ve built this by bringing

When asked about the future, Binsfeld’s answer is clear: in great people — through acquisitions, through organic growth Brennan’s opportunities lie in energy infrastructure and de- — and aligning them with the values that de? ne Brennan.” mographic change.

“It’s an incredible time to be in business right now, espe-

Projects That De? ne a Legacy cially in the built environment,” he says. “We’re at the preci-

For Binsfeld, the work itself still holds a visceral appeal. pice of big changes in how power is created, consumed, and “Every one of us gets into this business because you envision transmitted in this country.” yourself out on the jobs building things,” he says. “You think

Brennan is already heavily engaged in multiple sectors, from about the impact of what we do.” offshore wind, hydroelectric, and nuclear projects, and Binsfeld

He points to several projects that illustrate Brennan’s capa- expects those markets to surge. “As the next ? ve years go on, bilities — and its purpose. The Fox River cleanup in Wisconsin we’ll see tremendous growth in variable types of power produc- stands out as a de? ning achievement: “It was a 40-mile stretch tion,” he says. “Our strategy is to stay closely aligned with that of river contaminated with PCBs, and it was almost a 15-year growth, both in generation and in transmission.” effort for us. We dredged, processed material, and cleaned up

The company’s work in subaqueous cable installation is also the river. Today, that ? shery is open for public consumption. It expanding as the nation’s grid is rebuilt. “Everyone talks about changed the local economy — anglers, tourism, everything.” offshore cables,” Binsfeld notes, “but the reality is that new lines

Equally important was the reconstruction of the La Grange are being laid across rivers, lakes, and estuaries all over North

Lock and Dam on the Illinois River. “That was a huge project America. We’re positioning ourselves right in the middle of that.” — hundreds of people working every day. The outcome was

At the same time, he sees demographic shifts as both a chal- more ef? cient movement for the Inland River System, which lenge and an opportunity. “Many underwater service compa- directly bene? ts American farmers. It makes them more com- nies are led by baby boomers nearing retirement,” he says. petitive globally. That’s the kind of impact we love.” “We’ve been strategic buyers of those businesses — not just

Other milestones include deep-diving construction at Dia- for growth, but to preserve expertise and expand geographi- blo Dam in Washington — “diving below 150 feet, doing con- cally. That trend will continue.” struction work safely and precisely” — and complex subsea

Binsfeld’s focus now is on ensuring Brennan’s longevity cable projects in Canada to deliver renewable power to the through what he calls the three P’s: People, Process, Pro? t.

U.S. “Those projects show the sophistication of our people “Everything starts with people,” he says. “We’re investing heav- and the systems we’ve built,” he says. “We like to say every- ily in developing talent — through our own Brennan University, one at Brennan is a marine professional, and that really shines through partnerships with unions, trade schools, and universities. through in this kind of work.”

We want to be seen as a destination for maritime professionals.”

J.F. Brennan Company shifts focus from bridge work to marine construction, teaming with F.J.

Robers Company on several levee restoration projects along the Upper

Mississippi River. New vessels and barges are built to carry out larger projects for the U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers (USACE) and other owners of river-based infrastructure.

1980s 1976 1984 1990s

Ray Kronforst becomes Brennan Marine Inc. opens Lock & Dam projects and other

J.F. Brennan Company’s its doors to provide switching USACE projects on the Upper