President and Chief Executive Officer. Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. Mr. Kratz is President and Chief Executive Officer of Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. He was appointed Executive Chairman in October 2006 and served in that capacity until February 2008 when he resumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. He was appointed Chairman in May 1998, and served as Chief Executive Officer from April 1997 until October 2006. Mr. Kratz served as President from 1993 until February 1999, and has served as a director since 1990. He served as Chief Operating Officer from 1990 through 1997. Mr. Kratz joined Cal Dive International, Inc. (now known as Helix) in 1984 and has held various offshore positions, including saturation diving supervisor, and has had management responsibility for client relations, marketing and estimating. Mr. Kratz is also a director of Cal Dive International, Inc., our majority owned subsidiary. Mr. Kratz has a bachelor of science degree in biology and chemistry from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.