FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Anita Pedersen Director of ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Anita PedersenDirector of Public Relations630-803-7593BOB AGRA II CELEBRATES 40 YEARS AT THE HELM OF CHICAGO SIGHTSEEINGINSTITUTION, MERCURY, CHICAGO’S SKYLINE CRUISELINECHICAGO - Bob Agra, Jr., third-generation owner of Mercury, Chicago’s Skyline Cruiseline celebrates40 years at the helm of the 78-year-old sightseeing institution, June 12, 2013, a unique milestone in theChicago business community.From deckhand to captain for Hollywood movies and celebrities to tourism ambassador hosting headsof state aboard his vessels, Agra has packed some fascinating life experiences into his four decadesleading the company founded by his grandfather, a Portuguese immigrant who pursued the Americandream.While his high school buddies were enjoying their summers playing sports, dating or dreaming aboutgetting a driver’s license and taking Dad’s car for a spin; Bob, at age 15, began working long days, sevendays a week as a deckhand giving commentary aboard the busy company’s flagship, the Skyline Queen,which was popular for its lake and river cruises.At 16, Bob WAS taking a vehicle for a spin: a 56-ton, 65-foot, 87-passenger vessel named SkylinePrincess. He learned from the best: his dad, Captain Bob Agra, Jr., who spent hours in the pilot’s houseteaching him the finer points of maneuvering the graceful leviathan to and from the dock without a bump.It was quite the demanding job. Bob couldn’t commiserate with siblings over his kind, yet disciplinedtaskmaster father. He was an only child.And as the only child, Bob, at age 18, was thrust into ownership of the company, with his mom, Marion,upon his father’s untimely death of a heart attack in 1976. So again, unlike his graduated high schoolbuddies, a four-year college experience was out of the question.Instead Bob studied and trained for his Captain’s license and took over as the head of a growing MercurySightseeing Boats. With that new journey, he has seen his company grow from two boats to six boats anda lifetime of experiences equivalent to Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degrees combined.As he settled into his new role, Bob was always focused on the next chapter. And in 1978 that nextexperience in his life was meeting, marrying and bringing into the company, his wife of 34 years, Holly.Together they have been lighting in the bottle. Combining Bob’s laser-focused and disciplined handle onthe company operations and Holly’s marketing savvy, they began growing the company to capture newmarkets in Chicago’s burgeoning cruise industry.-more-

In 1991, he and Holly formed Chicago’s First Lady Cruises. This is where the fun began for Captain Bob:to provide the design inspiration and direction, from scratch, of a luxury cruise vessel. The new boatwould serve the niche market of private parties, weddings, and corporate events. By 2011 there were fourvessels Chicago’s First Lady, Chicago’s Little Lady, Chicago’s Fair Lady and Chicago’s Leading Ladyflying the Chicago’s First Lady flag. Each one was a labor of love for Bob who took the lead in the designof each boat.There was also a, fifth, little jewel of a 4-6 person 1961-vintage cruiser named Lady Grebe, much smallerthan her 150+ passenger sister vessels. Lady Grebe had been a dream boat for Bob ever since he noticedshe was for sale. He finally bought the boat and added it to the fleet as a high-end yacht for smallcorporate outings.Maintaining a “tight ship” in operations is Bob’s primary focus. But, he’s also having some high-profilefun with the boats: captaining Chicago’s First Lady for the Julia Roberts movie “My Best Friend’sWedding;” at the helm while Lady Grebe cruised down the Chicago River with Jennifer Aniston andfriends aboard; hosting heads of state on Chicago’s First Lady including German Chancellor AngelaMerkel with whom he was able to converse in the German he learned in high school; and showcasingChicago’s world-famous lakefront to the King and Queen of Norway aboard his favorite, Lady Grebe.Among the future guests he would love to host: Tom Clancy, his favorite novelist; the cast of “BreakingBad,” one of his favorite TV series; and of course, anyone from his favorite Chicago team, the ChicagoBears. Fantasy guests from the past would be leaders from World War II, a time in American history thatfascinates Bob, and probably the captain or marine architect of the Titanic.Bob and Holly focused on family as well and are proud parents of Bob III and Tim. Bob III has joined thecompany and younger brother Tim is studying law.Bob will continue his role at the helm of the company entrusted to him forty years ago as he looks to thenext life experience to come his way.###2013 marks the 78 th season for Mercury, Chicago’s Skyline Cruiseline (www.mercurycruises.com)providing river and lake cruises showcasing Chicago to throngs of Chicagoans and visitors alike.This year is also the 20 th anniversary for Mercury’s sister company, Chicago’s First Lady Cruises,(founded in 1991) in its partnership with the Chicago Architecture Foundation providing the criticallyacclaimedChicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady Cruises(www.cruisechicago.com). All cruises depart from the Riverside Gardens dock at the southeast corner andlower level of the Michigan Avenue Bridge and Wacker Drive, along Chicago’s Riverwalk.