Hall of Fame

John L. McCarron Jr.
McGill Institute Class of 1946

John McCarron attended elementary school at St. Mary's, enrolling in McGill Institute in 1942. He was an honor student, received the perfect attendance two year award, and was “Senior of the Week” in February 1946.

During his last 2 years at McGill, McCarron served as co-editor of The McGillian , which received the All-Catholic Award, a first class rating in 1945. He was a sports reporter and also wrote a column called “Relax with Mac.” His other activities included the Victory Bond drive, membership in the Confraternity and treasurer of the Catholic Students Mission Crusade.

He began his career in the maritime industry in 1946 as a clerk and later as steamship agent for Waterman Steamship Company. From 1953-65, McCarron alternated between Waterman and Ryan Stevedoring Company, except for a two-year interruption for military service during the Korean War. Following the sale of Waterman in 1965, he returned to Ryan, where he served as general superintendent, vice-president and corporate director. After Ryan's merger in 1974 with Walsh Stevedoring Company, he was named senior vice-president of Ryan-Walsh Stevedoring Company, executive vice-president in 1977, president and COO in 1983, and CEO in 1984.

In addition to his duties at Ryan-Walsh, McCarron was an officer of the Vectura Group, Inc., from April 1988 until December 1992, when he retired as president and CEO of Ryan-Walsh and was named its chairman. He was also president and CEO of Vectura Cargo Services, Inc. Ryan-Walsh became a part of the companies operated by Stevedoring Services of America (SSA) in April 1995, and McCarron was appointed to SSA's executive committee and held the position of senior vice-president.

McCarron attended the University of Alabama at Mobile and took executive development courses at the University of Tennessee 's Graduate School of Business and the Wharton School of Finance and Accounting.

His civic activities include past president of the National Association of Waterfront Employers, formerly The National Association of Stevedores; the Seaman's Club of Mobile Board; National Waterways Conference; the Warrior-Tombigbee Development Association; and Providence Hospital Foundation and the hospital's Audit Committee. He served on the advisory committee of Bishop State Community College , executive committee of the Mobile Chamber of Commerce and the International Trade Club. He was vice-president of the Mobile Propeller Club and was named their Maritime Person of the Year for Mobile , and later, for the Southeast Region in 1989.

He and his wife Louise Brock are members of St. Philip Neri Parish. He served on the St. Pius X and St. Philip parish councils. His two daughters attended St. Pius and graduated from McGill-Toolen: Kathleen, '82, and Stephanie '83, now deceased. His sister, Agnes M. Olney, graduated from Convent of Mercy in 1948.

Inducted 2009
Biography updated 11/4/09

Hall of Fame

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