Known to friends as “Doug”, was born into a river man’s family and has been involved in the river industry all his life. McGinnis has a unique knowledge of rivers, their industries and people. Almost 50 years ago he purchased Portsmouth Docking Company from his parents to start his own company, McGinnis Inc., which he developed into a major marine repair services provider.The company was proud to recently celebrate its 100 year anniversary.
McGinnis was the Port of Huntington Propeller Club President in Huntington, West Virginia, from 1988-1992. He was instrumental in recruiting local Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers and other river industry personnel as club members to work together to keep the Port of Huntington safe and the waterways industry alive and flourishing in its river communities. At that time, the Port of Huntington was the largest tonnage port on the inland waterways and the fifth largest tonnage port in the nation.
The McGinnis family has been in the marine business since 1913 and currently employs over 900 people at facilities in four states. McGinnis Inc. services the entire inland waterways through its holdings, and this family business continues to grow. Today, the McGinnis family of companies provide services that include boat and barge repairs, diesel engine repairs, harbor and line haul towing services, sand blasting and painting, marine construction, dredging and mid-stream fueling just to name a few.
Doug McGinnis currently serves as the McGinnis company chairman. McGinnis Inc./McNational Inc. owns operations in Ohio (South Point, Cincinnati, Coal Grove, and Wheelersburg), Kentucky (Wurtland, Ludlow, Hebron, Ledbetter, and Paducah), Illinois (Hartford), and Louisiana (Harahan). McGinnis has also received many leadership and professional accolades throughout his career. He actively supports his company’s local South Point, Ohio-area youth through giving generously to the schools and helping to fund bands, sports, and other extracurricular programs and projects.
The enthusiasm and devotion of McGinnis to the marine industry positively influences our waterways. His family history and bonds with the river industry and its people make him an invaluable Hall of Fame member and a true river role model.