Murray & Associates LLC to Host Fifth Annual Fishing Challenge

Weekend-long event to raise funds for local non-profit organization dedicated to providing a refuge and resources to more than 150,000 professional crew mariners annually, and feature two highly-esteemed members of the US Marine Corps as participants and special guests of honor

WHAT:

More than 150 industry professionals are anticipated to attend and participate in the Fifth Annual Murray & Associates’ Fishing Challenge this weekend in Fort Lauderdale. The event kicks off tonight, Friday, April 8 with a Captain’s Meeting & Kick-Off Reception for participants, guests and sponsors at Boatyard waterfront restaurant (1555 SE 17th Street, Fort Lauderdale). On Saturday morning, April 9, tournament participants will embark to compete for various awards including Top Angler Sailfish; Most Sailfish on Boat; Largest Dolphin; Largest Tuna; Largest King Mackerel; and, the coveted Top Boat Sailfish award. Winners will be honored at an Awards Dinner Ceremony taking place following the tournament tomorrow evening at Boatyard, with proceeds from the weekend-long event to benefit Seafarers’ House at Port Everglades—a non-profit dedicated to providing a refuge and resources for professional mariners while in South Florida, serving as a ‘home away from home’ to more than 150,000 cruise and cargo ship crewmembers annually.

An exciting new addition to this year’s tournament is the participation of two highly-esteemed members of the United States Marine Corps (USMC), Lieutenant Colonel Todd Desgrosseilliers, a 30-year veteran and USMC Silver Star, and Sergeant Scott Haynes, a 9-year veteran and Scout Sniper Instructor for the USMC at Quantico. Each will be participating in Saturday’s tournament, and Col. Desgrosseilliers will also be the keynote speaker at tomorrow evening’s dinner ceremony.

When:

Captain’s Meeting & Kick-Off Reception – Friday, Apr. 8 @ 6pm

Fifth Annual Fishing Challenge Tournament – Saturday, Apr. 9 @ 8am

Cocktail Reception & Awards Dinner Ceremony – Saturday Apr. 9 @ 5pm

Media Contact:

Mallory McQuail

Susan Penrod PR (SPPR)

Cell: (203) 570-7569

[email protected]

Background:

Murray & Associates LLC—a premier Fort Lauderdale-based naval architect and marine engineering firm since 1996—originally founded its Annual Fishing Challenge as a means of bringing clients and maritime business professionals together for a fun-filled weekend of fishing and some friendly competition on South Florida’s scenic waterways. Over the course of hosting the event, it has grown exponentially with more and more interest each year from industry professionals in the commercial maritime sector to sponsor or participate. Murry & Associates provides a wide-range of in-house services including New Build and Refit Design Packages; Stability Tests: Intact and Damage; Performance Analysis; On-site Support Engineering in Shipyards; Emergency Response Decision Support; Marine Forensic Engineering: and Technical Support for Legal and Insurance Professionals. Its headquarters is located at 4101 Ravenswood Road, Suite 210, in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Visit www.murrayna.com for more information.

Seafarers’ House

Seafarers' House at Port Everglades is a non-profit organization with a mission to offer refuge, resources, renewal and respect to the maritime community through multi-faith service. Open year-round, Seafarers' House is a safe, friendly place where mariners can connect with their families, relax, or get emergency assistance if needed. With the help of its supporters and volunteers, Seafarers' House offers many services including low cost international phone calls, free transportation, Internet access, counseling services, liaison with authorities as well as recreational facilities. Seafarers' House was honored as the 2012 Seafarers' Center of the Year by the International Committee on Seafarers' Welfare - the first American agency to receive this international honor. Seafarers' House annually hosts more than 150,000 visits by cruise and cargo ship crewmembers. For additional information, visit www.seafarershouse.org.

Col. Todd Desgrosseilliers

A native of Auburn, Maine, Colonel Todd S. Desgrosseilliers enlisted in the Marine Corps in November 1985. He completed Recruit Training at Parris Island, South Carolina in February 1986 - graduating as the Honor Graduate. Upon graduation from Infantry Training School at Camp Pendleton, California, in May 1986, he was assigned to the Marine Barracks/Ground Defense Force, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In May 1988, he was selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning and Education Program and assigned to Boston University where he was the 1990 recipient of Boston’s Semper Fidelis Society’s Leadership Award. He graduated from Boston University in May 1990 and was commissioned a second lieutenant. He was promoted to colonel on 1 February 2012. He served as the Commanding Officer, The Basic School from in June 2012 to September 2014. Colonel Desgrosseilliers is married to the former Christiana Drake. They have a daughter Katherine, and two sons, Todd and Michael. He is also a graduate of the Marine Corps’ Scout-Sniper Instructor Course and the Marine Corps’ Summer Mountain Leader Course. His personal awards include the Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star Medal (With Combat Distinguishing Device and Gold Star in Lieu of Second Award), Purple Heart Medal (Gold Star in Lieu of Second Award), Meritorious Service Medal (Gold Star in Lieu of Second Award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Gold Star in Lieu of 3rd Award), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Sgt. Scott Haynes

Scotty Haynes was born in Marietta, Georgia in November of 1988. He is a proud father of an eleven month old daughter with his wife Alex of five years. Scotty was taught to hunt, fish and gather at an early age and spent the majority of his time growing up, in the woods or on the lake catching fish after that. He graduated from Cherokee High School in 2007 and enlisted into the United States Marine Corps as a basic infantryman. At recruit training he was taught what might be his most treasured skill as a Marine, “shooting and field craft”. After graduation from the school of infantry, he was transferred to Marine Corps Base Hawaii where he quickly assumed the billet of “squad leader” following his first combat tour to “Trekh-Nawa” Helmond Providence Afghanistan. Scotty then was given the opportunity to take selection into the Scout Sniper Platoon. Selection to the platoon afforded him the opportunity to attend Scout Sniper School in Hawaii, and deploy as a Marine sniper to the Garmsir District, Helmond Afghanistan. Scott reenlisted to serve a second term with America’s battalion where he would complete a third deployment to Darwin, Australia to conduct bilateral training with 5th Royal Australian Regiment. During this deployment Scotty would earn the rank of meritorious sergeant. With Marine presences coming to its close in Afghanistan he received orders to Weapons Training Battalion Quantico, Virginia as a Scout Sniper Instructor. Soon following his arrival, it was clear that Scott had suffered from traumatic brain injury that lead to a neurosurgeon’s diagnosis of post traumatic hydrocephalus. He then underwent two brain surgeries at Walter Reed Nation Medical Center. He is now making strides to recover at the National Intrepid center of Excellence.