SHIPBUILDER Austal’s US president, Michelle Kruger, is to leave the company in the wake of last week’s admission that an accounting blunder had slashed $110 million from its 2026 profit guidance.
In an ASX release, Austal said Ms Kruger would retire on 1 June and she would be replaced by COO Gene Miller as interim president.
Ms Kruger joined Austal USA in 2022 as vice president of global services and support, responsible for global post-delivery vessel repair and warranty services, based in San Diego.
She was appointed president of Austal USA in April 2024.
In the ASX release Austal CEO Paddy Gregg said Ms Kruger had been appointed as president at a challenging time and had made a meaningful contribution to Austal USA during a period of significant transition and growth.
Mr Gregg said Austal had put in place arrangements for an orderly transition while it searched for a new Austal USA president.
Current Austal USA board of managers chair Chris Chadwick will temporarily move from a non-executive role to an executive role and will assume the title of executive chairman.
“As Austal USA enters its next phase, we are focused on strong execution across our current build and sustainment programs while capturing new growth opportunities,” Mr Gregg said.
“We will be targeting senior leaders with deep manufacturing and operational expertise to lead the business forward.”