Naval Architect, P.E., is a licensed professional naval architect with over 26 years of experience providing engineering services in the areas of stability, strength, resistance, propulsion, vessel controllability, cargo operations, project management, and worldwide logistics support skills. His primary concentrations entail conceptual, preliminary, and contract level design of military to commercial vessels. He is experienced and well versed on ruling authorities such as U.S. Coast Guard (USCG CFR), American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Det Norske Veritas (DNV), International Maritime Organization (IMO), and Safety of Life At Sea (SOLAS).
Academic Background
- Master’s Degree, National Security and Strategic Studies,
- Navy War College, Newport, Rhode Island, 2015
- Bachelor’s Degree, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
- State University of New York at Maritime College, Bronx, New York, 1993
Registrations and Licenses
- US Coast Guard Third Mates License – STCW 95 Qualified
- Advanced Fire Fighting; GMDSS; ARPA; Bridge Resource Management; Basic Safety
- US Navy Reserve Merchant Marine Reserve Commissioned Officer, Captain
- Professional Engineer, Maryland, License No. 37725 & South Carolina, License No. 29841
Professional Experience
RTI Group, LLC, Annapolis, MD,
Naval Architect, 2020 to present
US Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, Washington, D.C.,
Defense Liaison Officer (LNO). (August 2019 – Present)
Serving a two-year detail as a team member of the Joint Chief of Staff in the Office of Supply and Distribution (J4) as the strategic sealift expert. Core responsibilities include correspondence and transparency between SECNAV, USTRANSCOM, OPNAV N42, MARAD, OPNAV 42, OSD-CAPE and the Joint Staff with matters specifically relating to strategic sealift acquisition and re-capitalization.
US Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, Washington, D.C.,
Naval Architect. (November 2012 – August 2019) (September 1993 – July 1996)
Team leader and member in the Office of Shipyards and Marine Engineering working assignments for a variety of engineering services and standards. Managing over $10 million in small shipyard grant funds for 15 US shipyards. Accompanying engineering teams as technical expert for school ship conversions and SOLAS compliance. Review of technical designs for commercial high speed and conventional ships. Consultation with members of the U.S. shipbuilding industry, representation of the Agency in the development and planning of research with projects relating to high-speed technology, process and procedures, equipment, structures and components. Contributed and provided assistance ranging from concept level conversion design packages to assisting with sea trials.
- Member of the Technical Evaluation Team (TET) for the Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) for the new National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) to serve primarily as training vessels for each of the maritime academies sponsored by the Agency.
- Prepared extensive GAP analysis packages for all maritime academy school ships to conclude compliance with the Special Purpose Ship (SPS) SOLAS regulations.
- Mooring analysis for various MARAD vessels specific to berthing arrangements.
- Passenger crowding stability analysis for the T/S STATE OF MICHIGAN.
- N/S SAVANNAH hull survey and concluded with the effects of cathodic hull protection.
- TIGER: PROVPORT Barge Concept Analysis.
- Propeller optimization study for the T/S GENERAL RUDDER.
- Small Shipyard Grant Reviewer/Manager for 2013, 2016-2018 managing over $10Mil in proposals.
- Conducted numerous surveys of MARAD vessels leading to the preparation of deck drawings and CargoMax stability packages for the Integrated Computerized Deployment System (ICODES) program.
- Completed concept level conversion design training vessel packages for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, (KINGS POINTER) and the California Maritime Academy, (USNS MAURY T-AGS 39).
- Participated in the engineering of MARAD’s C7-S-95a conversions to a RO/RO class vessel and performed the deck side sea trial service for the M/V CAPE VINCENT.
- Assisted with the structural design review of Offshore Petroleum Discharge System (OPDS) conversion package.
United States Coast Guard, Baltimore, MD,
Naval Architect. (July 2010 – November 2012) (March 2005 – June 2009)
A team leader and member within the Naval Architecture Section of the Surface Forces Logistics Center (SFLC) working assignments for a variety of engineering services and standards for all USCG vessels.
- Services include analysis of alteration, feasibility studies, retrofit and aspects of design issues (i.e. stability, seakeeping, maneuvering, powering, arrangement and controllability).
- Developed statements of work, cost estimates, specifications, and circular of requirements.
- Conduct mission related needs for technical direction to design contractors.
- Organized weight estimates for structural and arrangement phases of ship construction, alteration, and repair.
- Accompanied numerous (military/civilian) engineering teams serving as a technical evaluator expert for USCG vessels service life extensions to determine the suitability, feasibility, and reasonableness of modifications required to accommodate new missions or extend a vessel's life.
United States Navy, ECRC, ASA Dix, NJ,
Officer in Charge, Commander. (June 2009 – July 2010)
Mobilized Navy Reservist serving with the Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center (ECRC) stationed at the Army Support Activity (ASA) Dix Army base with the 72nd Field Artillery Brigade.
- As the Officer in Charge, provided oversight to ensure effective administrative processing, equipping, deployment and combat training of Navy and Coast Guard Individual Augmentees (IA), Ad-Hoc individuals and provisional units deploying for non-traditional expeditionary missions in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C.,
Naval Architect. (April 2004 – March 2005)
An integral team member in the Engineering Division integrating technical and engineering services for a variety of naval architectural assignments for all Military Sealift Command (MSC) vessels.
- Inspected and advised modifications for fleet tankers (T-AO) Engine Control Room structural fire protection.
- Surveyed CNO Barge and provided retrofit modifications to mitigate engine room noise and vibrations.
- Witnessed Heavy Lift FLO/FLO operations to transport US Army assets overseas.
- Performed damage stability study for the USNS MOUNT WHITNEY (LCC-20).
- Completed revised speed power estimations and bridge deck arrangement modifications for the T-AGOS CLFA for towed array missions.
- Participated in the design evaluation team for COBRA JUDY which is the USNS OBSERVATION ISLAND replacement.
- Executed numerous dry dock plan reviews and modifications.
- Surveyed and recommended structural damage modifications for the Maritime Pre-position Force Enhanced (MPF(E)) USNS ROY M. WHEAT.
- Prepared statements of work, weight estimates and accompanied engineering teams provided technical direction to design contractors for MSC ships.
Oak Management Inc., Alexandria, Virginia,
Senior Systems Engineer. (November 2001 – March 2004)
As a member of a small business government contracting company, provided key solutions in project management and ship systems engineering support ranging from design review, stability issues, weights management and arrangement assessment.
- NOAA Fisheries Research Vessel (FRV40).
- Integrated Computer Deployment System (ICODES) - Ready Reserve Fleet and Amphibious Group Three specific loading software (CargoMax) for the loading and transport of military cargo for Military Transportation Management Command (MTMC), Transportation Engineering Agency (TEA) and the U.S. Marines.
- Conceptual and preliminary pilot boat design packages for the Delaware Bay & River Pilots’ Association and the Brunswick Bar Pilots’ Association.
- Enhanced Damage Control Action Management System (eDCAMS) – supported software engineers with AutoCAD drawings of various Navy/Marine Corp. vessels.
Kvaerner Masa Marine, Annapolis, Maryland,
Project Naval Architect. (July 1996 – November 2001)
Currently known as STX Canada Marine (STXM), provided professional marine design and engineering technology services to clients throughout North and Central America. Participated and managed projects both for the military and commercial clients.
- Provided a stability assessment, speed power predictions and arrangement for the LCU(R) Sea Sled Concept Design.
- Completed the hull fairing portion of a conversion design package for a 300,000 BBL Tanker.
- Project manager for a $500K Office of Naval Research (ONR) concept design level project that included a consortium of two (2) major U.S. Shipyards and a leading waterjet manufacturer.
- Completed contract level naval architectural design effort for the State of Maine 150’ Car/Passenger Ferry, Transboreale Quebec 1000 Passenger/RORO Cruise Vessel and 1500 TEU high-speed container liner (BathMax 1500).
- Developed a high speed sealift trimaran concept hull form and optimized the design through extensive model testing at David Taylor Model Basin for the Center of Commercial Development of Transportation Technologies (CCDoTT).
Professional Associations and Activities
Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME), Stability & Small Craft Panel
American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE)
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
Ship Structure Committee (SSC)
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
Army Engineer Association
Society of Engineers
Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative, DHS
American Boat Yacht Council Standards & Marine Systems Certification, ABYC
Selected Publications and Presentations
Author: ASTM F3052-14; Standard Guide for Conducting Small Boat Stability Test (Lightweight Survey and Air Incline Experiment) to Determine Lightcraft Weight and Centers of Gravity of a Small Craft, 2014
Author: SNAME Technical and Research (T&R) 9-1, Standard Guide for Conducting Small Boat Air-Inclining Stability Test, 2015
Presenter: Multi Agency Craft Conference (MACC), Stability Standards for Military & Paramilitary Small Craft, 2011
Presenter: Chesapeake Powerboat Symposium, Standard Guide for Conducting Small Boat Air-Inclining Stability Test, 2014
ASTM John Haas Memorial Award, 2014; USCG Unit Commendation (SFLC), 2011; Bronze deFleury Medal (Army Engineer Association), 2010 ; USCG (ELC) CO’s Award for Quality & Leadership, 2007; ASNE Award: ADM. Lucas Plaque Award (ELC Engineering Divisions), 2006; USCG Commandant Letter of Commendation, Hurricane Katrina, 2005
Computer Skills
Proficient with all types of standard business software (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Access, etc.) as well as hands-on experience in the utilization and application of specialized software including:
NavCAD, AutoCAD, Rhino w/ Orca 3D, HecSalv, HecEntry & CargoMax, GHS, ShipWeight