Van Loo Bio

Bill Van Loo has served as M.E.B.A.’s Secretary-Treasurer since 2006. He is a third-generation member who graduated from the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School in 1983 and shipped out for 17 years. As an engineer he shipped out on freighters, tankers and containerships calling on ports in Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and North America. He holds a Chief Engineers License.

He was a key cog in a rank and file push to solidify the Union’s democracy in the early 1990s. His hands-on approach and assertiveness has resonated with the membership which has validated his candidacy for office in every election since 2001. Members first ushered Bill into office over a decade and a half ago as the Union’s Branch Agent in Baltimore then re-elected him three years later. His ability to multi-task, his contract savvy and experience along with a strong work ethic made him the natural choice to ascend to the District Executive Committee – the Union’s governing body – in 2006. He has also served as a Delegate at seven National M.E.B.A. Conventions.

Bill has been very involved with local labor and maritime associations and his knack for political networking is paying dividends at HQ which is located at the foot of Capitol Hill. He also heads up M.E.B.A.’s Political Action Fund.

Bill harbors deep connections with M.E.B.A.’s School in Easton, MD where he, his wife Vicky and daughter Ali reside. He founded the Calhoon Alumni Association and championed the project to build the beautiful Memorial Park on School grounds that honors fallen merchant mariners. He is also Chairman of the M.E.B.A. Merchant Marine Memorial Foundation.

Ports and Offices