Charles Bud Darr Returns to Lead CLIA
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced that its Global Executive Committee has appointed Charles Bud Darr as President and Chief Executive Officer, a position he will take up on February 3, 2025.
Bud Darr returns to CLIA after serving from 2010 to 2017 as Senior Vice President of Technical and Regulatory Affairs, succeeding Kelly Craighead, who had announced earlier this year her decision to leave the organization by the end of 2024.
Darr began his career with training in Submarine Nuclear Engineering, followed by completing his studies at the US Merchant Marine Academy. During his service with the U.S. Coast Guard, he also earned a law degree from George Washington University Law School. Before his new appointment, he worked at MSC Group as Executive Vice President for Maritime Policy and Government Affairs for over seven years. Throughout his career, he also served in the U.S. Coast Guard, focusing on maritime and international law as Deputy Chief, in addition to serving in the U.S. Navy, the Merchant Marine, and the Coast Guard itself.
Charles Bud Darr
Kelly Craighead
Jason Liberty, Chairman of CLIA’s Board of Directors, emphasized that Bud Darr’s proven leadership and commitment to advancing the cruise industry’s policies, along with his focus on environmental sustainability practices, make him the ideal candidate to lead CLIA into a new phase of growth and innovation. He added that Darr’s extensive skill set and deep knowledge of the maritime industry are invaluable assets to the organization and expressed excitement about working with him to achieve the collective mission’s ambitious goals.
As President and CEO, Darr will guide the next phase of CLIA’s global strategy at a pivotal time for the industry. The cruise industry is currently strengthening a path of robust and responsible growth in line with its sustainability goals for 2050. A prominent figure in the global maritime landscape, Darr brings a wealth of experience and a network of relationships spanning the entire cruise industry, including related sectors such as trade, ports, shipyards, and service providers.
Darr expressed his determination, stating that it is an honor to return to CLIA and that he is grateful for the trust placed in him by the Global Executive Committee and association members. He also emphasized that the industry, with its dynamic changes and future opportunities, is ready to chart new courses, raising standards of innovation and sustainability. He expressed his desire to leverage collective experience to build a brighter future, addressing global complexities and achieving significant milestones.
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