It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of our Team Member, friend, and SVP of Liquid Cargo, Mike Kennelly.

For more than three decades, Mike built a career in the inland marine industry, but the titles and accomplishments only tell part of his story. To the people who knew him, he was a mentor, a trusted friend, a devoted father and someone who had a remarkable way of leaving an impression on the people around him.

He joined ACBL in 2020 following leadership roles at Kirby, Savage Marine, Settoon and Florida Marine. During nearly six years with ACBL, he helped shape our Liquids business and became an important part of our company.

But when people talk about Mike, they rarely start with a title or a resume. They talk about the person that he was. 

“Mike was the architect of our Liquids business and a cornerstone of our industry, but his impact went far beyond what he accomplished professionally. He was a remarkable person who genuinely cared about people and always seemed to have a kind word for everyone he met. Mike made a difference in the lives of so many across ACBL and throughout the industry. He was the type of person and leader we all strive to be. We are deeply grateful for everything he gave to ACBL, and we will miss him dearly.” – Peter Coxon, CEO

Ask those who spent years working alongside him and the stories come quickly – his smile, his ability to see a solution before anyone else and, yes, the whiteboard he carried around in his truck.

“Mike has been a dear friend, colleague and mentor of mine for the past 14 years. He knew more about the inland barge business than anyone I’ve come across over that time span. He had a God-given gift to be able piece together a logistics puzzle at the blink of an eye. He was a logistics genius in my opinion. I’ll never forget him showing up for meetings or events with his logistics “whiteboard” that he carried around with him in his truck back in the Settoon/Savage days. I’ll also never forget his sharp wit and flash of smile at perfect moments. He was a warrior during his battle with cancer, he was an amazing father to Olivia Grace, Christian & Andrew, and a friend that I will never forget. My prayers go out to Olivia Grace, Christian, Andrew, John Kennelly, Ann and Mike’s entire family and all of his friends at this time. He will truly be missed.” – Alex Pucheu, SVP of Fleets, Terminals, and Real Estate

There are also countless people who can point to a moment when Mike believed in them, gave them an opportunity or helped them find their way. For some, that changed the direction of an entire career.

“Mike was one of those people who changed the course of my life. He took a chance on me when he didn’t have to. He mentored me, believed in me, and trusted me. The way he led people shaped the way I lead today. That’s the work side of it. Personally, Mike was family. I loved him. Waking up to the news of his passing this morning broke me.

We’re going to honor him in the most Kennelly way possible. If you knew Mike well enough to know what that means…buckle up.” – MJ Johnson, VP of Vessel Operations

And some relationships with Mike stretched across many years, through careers, families, successes and difficult moments. Those are the connections that say perhaps the most about who he was.

“Mike was not only my leader and mentor for the last 16 years, but a great and dear friend. We shared a lot over those years, the good times and the bad, and he was certainly the rock for me during my battle with cancer. He taught me everything I know about the marine business. In one of the early years, he told me I was going to have to calculate demurrage to bill a customer. I looked at him like he was speaking a foreign language, so naturally he had to explain what it was and how to calculate it. We worked so closely together that many times we knew what each other was thinking. He fought his battle with cancer until the very end and I take comfort that he is no longer in pain and is at peace. I will truly miss him, and the marine industry will truly miss him as well.” – Jay Joseph, Senior Commercial Director of Liquids

The stories are different, but the thread running through them is the same. Mike showed up for people. He taught them, challenged them, made them laugh and stood beside them when they needed him.

In 2024, ACBL dedicated a vessel in Mike’s honor. Today, that vessel carries his name on the river – a fitting reminder of someone who gave so much of his life to this industry and, even more importantly, to its people.

A video from that dedication is included below as an opportunity to remember Mike and reflect on the legacy he leaves behind.

Our thoughts are with Mike’s children, Olivia Grace, Christian and Andrew, and the entire Kennelly family. We extend our deepest condolences to them and to the many friends, colleagues and Team Members who are mourning his loss.

Thank you for joining us in remembering Mike. His leadership, his wit, and his friendship will be greatly missed.