Name: Michael Hillman
Alma Mater: Louisiana State University
Sport: Football
Position: Quarterback
Years Played: 1967-1969
Highlights: 1968 MVP First Peach Bowl in Atlanta, Goergia; 1969 LSU Offensive MVP Team (9-1)
Business: Gulf Fleet |
After graduating from LSU with his bachelor of science in 1970, Hillman became the Quarterback Coach for LSU in 1970, and he played in the 1970 Coaches All American Game in Lubbock, TX. In 1971, Hillman taught American History and Coached Football, basketball and track at Assumption High School in Napoleonville, Louisiana, and in 2000, he started his own company, Gulf Fleet.
“Working for others did not suit me. I had specific ideas on how to run a business, just like I did when I was calling my own plays as a Quarterback,” said Hillman. Gulf Fleet operates world wide offering Offshore Supply Vessels, Seismic Support Vessels, Dive Vessels and Lightering Vessels.
“The most important things that I have learned are perseverance and to stay focused on what is important at the present time.”
In his spare time, Hillman participates in various golf tournaments involving L.S.U., Oilfield sponsored events, and memorial events and is a board member of the L.S.U. Tiger Athletic Foundation.
“Today sports, teams, players and coaches are all very high profile with the news coverage. Any wrong move, word or decision is put on for public display. That is what I like about owning a small business; you can fly under the radar. Only your banker knows what’s really going on,” said Hillman. “I can be allowed to take on a multitude of challenges and projects that others would not allow or would think that they were too challenging for the company to undertake.”