After a long and hard-fought battle with cancer, Executive Director of the American Maritime Officers Plans Steve Nickerson passed away the morning of June 1. His beloved daughter and grandson were by his side. He was 76.
“AMO and AMO Plans lost an icon over the weekend,” said AMO National President Willie Barrere. “For so many years, he was the Executive Director of AMO Plans – a trusted and valued leader, a source of information and guidance for so many AMO members, and a good friend. Steve brought benefit information and his guidance to members everywhere, on ships and at meetings, and never hesitated to pick up the phone and talk to any member about their situation and provide them with answers. He developed and mentored an incredible staff that will soldier on in his absence. His smile and his warm and engaging personality will truly be missed.”
Nickerson was hired as the AMO Plans director of benefits in 1997 and stepped up to the role of executive director in 2002. From the outset, he modeled the practice of actively engaging with the AMO membership to ensure information was shared and answers to questions were available to sailing members and their families.
Known to many AMO members and families, Barbara Skrak will serve as interim executive director of the AMO Plans. The chairman and the secretary of the AMO Plans Board of Trustees asked Skrak to step forward into the leadership role and she will work hand-in-hand with AMO Plans and STAR Center directors to ensure continuity of all AMO Plans functions and duties.
In the coming days, more information will be published and condolences offered as Nickerson’s legacy of service to all AMO Plans participants is honored. New but experienced and trusted leadership carries on with the mission of the AMO Plans in the tradition he helped to build.
In this file photo, Steve Nickerson meets with AMO members (from left) Scott Williams, Morris Mickelson (retired) and Chris Davis in Tacoma, Wash. in 2013.