Greg Bombard is Co-founder and President/CEO of Catalina Channel Express, a passenger ferry company serving one of Southern California’s most popular vacation destinations, Catalina Island. In 1981, Catalina Express began as a commuter service between Catalina Island and San Pedro, CA with a single 55-passenger monohull vessel. Today, Catalina Express carries over one million passengers annually and has grown to four ports with additional locations in Long Beach at the Queen Mary and Downtown Catalina Landing and another port in Dana Point. The company’s fleet of vessels has also expanded to eight modern, high-speed vessels, with the largest carrying up to 450 passengers. Greg’s dedication to passenger safety, comfort and good old personalized service has resulted in Catalina Express celebrating 45 years of service.
Greg has a 100 Ton Master’s License and has been captaining vessels for over 47 years. He is affiliated with several associations, having served on the boards of the US Passenger Vessel Association, Marine Exchange of Southern California, the Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach, Catalina Museum Art & History and the Los Angeles County Fish and Game Commission. In 2006, Greg served as President of Interferry, the International Association of Ferry Operators. He also received the City National Bank Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2007 and a public service commendation from the US Coast Guard for his work with the Passenger Vessel Association/Coast Guard partnership action team. Greg is currently a member of the Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau Board and the US Coast Guard Foundation.