Star Bulk Announces Spyros Capralos to Succeed Akis Tsirigakis as Chief Executive Officer and President
News Release
Star Bulk Carriers Corp.
February 3, 2011
ATHENS, GREECE, February 2, 2011- Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (the "Company" or "Star Bulk") (NASDAQ: SBLK), today announced that Mr. Spyros Capralos has been appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer, to succeed Mr. Akis Tsirigakis, effective as of February 7, 2011. Mr. Capralos has also been appointed to the Board of Directors which is now comprised of 8 members. Mr. Tsirigakis will continue to serve as a director. Mr. Tsirigakis' parting was mutually agreed, so he may pursue other interests.
Mr Capralos served, until October 2010, as Chairman of the Athens Exchange and Chief Executive Officer of the Hellenic Exchanges Group and was the President of the Federation of European Securities Exchanges. He was formerly Vice Chairman of the National Bank of Greece ,Vice Chairman of Bulgarian Post Bank, Managing Director of the Bank of Athens and has a ten year banking experience with Bankers Trust Company (now Deutsche Bank) in Paris, New York, Athens, Milan, London. He is the current President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and served as Secretary General of the Athens 2004 Olympics Games and Executive Director and Deputy Chief Operating Officer of the Organizing Committee for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
Mr. Petros Pappas, Chairman of Star Bulk, commented: "We are pleased to welcome Mr. Spyros Capralos at the helm of our company. We believe that his business background, capital markets skills and experience will be valuable assets in the continued development of our company. We thank Mr. Akis Tsirigakis for his valuable contribution in steering the company from inception to its present position and we are pleased that he will continue to contribute to the Company's success as a Board member."
Mr. Akis Tsirigakis, the outgoing President and CEO of Star Bulk commented: "I am proud of our achievements in transforming Star Bulk from a blank check company into an established publicly traded dry bulk company. The time has come for me to move on in pursuit of other business interests. I look forward to new challenges and opportunities and I know that I am leaving the company in capable hands."
Mr. Spyros Capralos, President and CEO elect of Star Bulk, commented: "Star Bulk is a reputable shipping company in the global dry bulk industry with a modern fleet and a strong balance sheet. I look forward to continue with the company's prudent growth strategy grasping arising opportunities whilst the market evolves and taking the proper steps to maximize shareholders value."
Mr Capralos served, until October 2010, as Chairman of the Athens Exchange and Chief Executive Officer of the Hellenic Exchanges Group and was the President of the Federation of European Securities Exchanges. He was formerly Vice Chairman of the National Bank of Greece ,Vice Chairman of Bulgarian Post Bank, Managing Director of the Bank of Athens and has a ten year banking experience with Bankers Trust Company (now Deutsche Bank) in Paris, New York, Athens, Milan, London. He is the current President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and served as Secretary General of the Athens 2004 Olympics Games and Executive Director and Deputy Chief Operating Officer of the Organizing Committee for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
Mr. Petros Pappas, Chairman of Star Bulk, commented: "We are pleased to welcome Mr. Spyros Capralos at the helm of our company. We believe that his business background, capital markets skills and experience will be valuable assets in the continued development of our company. We thank Mr. Akis Tsirigakis for his valuable contribution in steering the company from inception to its present position and we are pleased that he will continue to contribute to the Company's success as a Board member."
Mr. Akis Tsirigakis, the outgoing President and CEO of Star Bulk commented: "I am proud of our achievements in transforming Star Bulk from a blank check company into an established publicly traded dry bulk company. The time has come for me to move on in pursuit of other business interests. I look forward to new challenges and opportunities and I know that I am leaving the company in capable hands."
Mr. Spyros Capralos, President and CEO elect of Star Bulk, commented: "Star Bulk is a reputable shipping company in the global dry bulk industry with a modern fleet and a strong balance sheet. I look forward to continue with the company's prudent growth strategy grasping arising opportunities whilst the market evolves and taking the proper steps to maximize shareholders value."