2023 Speakers

Kathy Metcalf

President and CEO, Chamber of Shipping of America

Kathy Metcalf is President and CEO of the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA).

Prior to her appointment in 2015, she served as CSA’s Director of Maritime Affairs from 1997 to 2015. Kathy served in various positions in the energy industry including deck officer aboard large oceangoing tankers, marine safety and environmental director, corporate regulatory and compliance manager and state government affairs manager.

Kathy Metcalf also serves as Chairperson of the International Chamber of Shipping’s Environmental Sub-Committee, serves on the ICS Maritime Law Committee, Shipping Policy Committee and Marine Committees and as CSA’s alternate to the ICS Board of Directors.

Kathy is also a member of the American Bureau of Shipping, SNAME, the Environmental Law Institute and various ad hoc government/industry work groups and task forces addressing a variety of issues impacting the maritime industry and the marine environment. In 2018, Kathy received the International Personality of the Year Award from the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) and in 2019, received the Lloyd’s List Americas Lifetime Achievement Award.

Kathy is a 1978 graduate of the US Merchant Marine Academy (BS in Marine Transportation and Nautical Sciences) and a 1988 graduate of the Delaware Law School (JD).

Captain Stephen Carmel

President, U.S. Marine Management

Stephen Carmel is the President of U.S. Marine Management, formerly an affiliate of Maersk Lines Limited. Steve is domiciled at U.S.M.M. headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia. Previously, he has held various positions in operations and finance for U.S. Marine Management, Inc. and Maersk Line, Limited. Steve began his career sailing as a deck officer and Master primarily on tankers for Maritime Overseas Corporation and Military Sealift Command. His first command was a 40,000 ton clean product tanker, which he attained at age 26. Steve graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in 1979. He also holds an M.A. in Economics and an M.B.A. in International Finance from Old Dominion University and is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and is certified in Financial Management (CFM).

Christina Liviakis Gianopulos

President, Women’s International Trading and Shipping Association (WISTA) USA

Christina Liviakis Gianopulos is the Director of Business Development of American Ship Repair (ASR).  Founded in 1951, ASR provides technical products and solutions including environmental regulation compliance equipment, engine room equipment, and global drydock support. ASR is proud to represent some of the best equipment manufacturers and shipyards around the world.

Christina earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Comparative Literature & Philosophy from Barnard College and a Master of Arts Degree in International Policy from the School of International and Public Affairs of Columbia University.  Before joining ASR in 2007, Christina worked at The Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation (USA). 

Christina is the President of WISTA USA and a member of the College Council of SUNY Maritime. She is also a member of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce and a passionate advocate for breast cancer research and more equitable patient care.

She lives in Southold, New York with her husband Peter Gianopulos and their sons Nicholas Stanley and Anthony James.

Cadet Olivia Mattioni, 1/C

Cadet, State University of New York Maritime College

Originally from Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, Olivia is currently a senior at the State University of New York Maritime College at Fort Schuyler. She will be graduating in January 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and USCG Unlimited Third Mate License.

Olivia is active across the Maritime College campus. She currently plays on the Maritime College Women's Soccer team, volunteers in the Women of Maritime club and works at the Stephen B. Luce Library. As part of the cadet leadership in the Regiment of Cadets, Olivia serves as the Security Company Commander and was previously an Assistant Division Officer on Summer Sea Term 2023 (SST2023) aboard the Training Ship KENNEDY. She was awarded the 2023 Cadet of the Cruise Award for her work on SST2023. Upon graduation, Olivia she plans to sail on her license in the U.S. maritime industry.

Mickey Belgrod

Director, Maritime Finance, First Citizens Bank

Mickey Belgrod, Director, joined First Citizens Bank’s Maritime Finance business in 2017 and is responsible for originating new business opportunities, managing existing client relationships and executing vessel finance transactions.

Mickey has spent more than two decades in the maritime industry, working across commercial, operational and technical roles, both at sea and ashore. Prior to joining FCB, Mickey spent 6 years as an Oil Trader at World Fuel Services where he generated relationships with global shipping companies and managed their fleet bunkering programs, employing financial derivative instruments to mitigate volatile oil markets as well as coordinating physical fuel deliveries around the world. Earlier in his career, Mickey sailed on commercial vessels in the merchant marine and piloted towing vessels on the Mississippi River and US inland waterway system, obtaining his Master of Towing endorsement on his United States Coast Guard license. Mickey also spent nearly a decade serving in the United States Navy as a reservist and retiring honorably at the rank of Lieutenant.

Mickey earned a B.S. in Logistics & Intermodal Transportation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY and earned an MBA in Finance from The New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business.

Rebecca Pincus, Ph.D.

Director, Polar Institute, Wilson Center

Dr. Rebecca Pincus is Director of the Polar Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, DC. Previously, she was on the faculty at the US Naval War College, in the Center for Naval Warfare Studies, where her research focused on Arctic security and geopolitics. She also worked in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy, as Arctic and Climate Strategy Advisor. In 2015, she was a Fulbright Fellow in Iceland, conducting research on Arctic small states and security. She also worked on polar strategy and policy issues for the US Coast Guard, at its Center for Arctic Study and Policy, and served on the faculty at the US Coast Guard Academy. She is currently a contributing author for the 5th National Climate Assessment. She has testified before Congress and the US-China Commission on security and defense in the polar regions, and her research has been published widely in peer-reviewed and popular outlets.

Vice Admiral Peter W. Gautier

Deputy Commandant for Operations, U.S. Coast Guard

Vice Admiral Peter W. Gautier assumed the duties of Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations (DCO), in June 2022. In this capacity, he is responsible for the development of operational strategy, policy, guidance, and resources that address national priorities. This oversight of Coast Guard missions, programs, and services includes: intelligence; international affairs; cyber; the maritime transportation system; commercial regulations and inspections; search and rescue; maritime security; law enforcement; defense operations; environmental response; contingency planning; and the operational capabilities of cutter, boat, aviation, shore, and deployable specialized forces.

Previously, he served as Deputy Commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area, where he was responsible for all Coast Guard missions spanning from the Rocky Mountains west to the waters off the eastern coast of Africa. From 2018 to 2020, he served as Commander, Coast Guard Eleventh District in Alameda, California, where he directed all Coast Guard missions in California and the Eastern Pacific Ocean. During this assignment, he served as Deputy Director for the Department of Homeland Security Joint Task Force - West, conducting integrated joint investigations and operations along the Southern border and approaches from Texas to California. His first flag assignment was Director of Governmental and Public Affairs for the Coast Guard, where he was responsible for external engagement with Congress, the media and other intergovernmental entities.

From 2015 to 2017, he served as the Senior Director for Response Policy on the National Security Council staff, where he coordinated policy for all-hazards, domestic incident management, national preparedness exercises, and continuity. From 2011 to 2014, he commanded Sector New Orleans, directing all Coast Guard operations in southeast Louisiana. Prior to this assignment, he served as the Chief of the Deepwater Horizon Action Office, which oversaw policy resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Previous assignments include Chief of Operations for the Deployable Operations Group; Chief, Cargo and Facilities Division at Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, DC; and Commanding Officer of the Gulf Strike Team in Mobile, AL, where he responded to the World Trade Center attacks, the Shuttle Columbia Disaster, and Hurricane Katrina. In addition, Vice Admiral Gautier served as Chief of Port Operations and Marine Environmental Response at Coast Guard Marine Safety Office San Francisco, and as a U.S. Delegate to United Nations and International Maritime Organization committees governing transportation of hazardous materials. He has also served aboard two Coast Guard cutters, and as Commanding Officer of Loran Station Gesashi, Japan.

Vice Admiral Gautier holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy; a Masters of Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Michigan and a Masters of National Security Strategy from the National War College. His military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, five Legion of Merits, four Meritorious Service Medals, three Coast Guard Commendation medals, the DOT 9/11 Medal, and two Coast Guard Achievement Medals.

RADM Ann Phillips, USN (Ret.)

Administrator, United States Maritime Administration

Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips, US Navy (Ret.) was sworn in as the 20th Administrator for the Department of Transportation Maritime Administration on May 16, 2022.  As head of the Maritime Administration, Phillips advises and assists the Secretary of Transportation on commercial maritime matters, to include the movement of goods, supply chain, as well as the U.S. maritime industry, environment and compliance, ports and waterways infrastructure, and strategic sealift. She engages public and private stakeholders in the maritime industry and oversees the U.S Merchant Marine Academy.

Phillips also oversees MARAD’s programs to improve and modernize the nation’s maritime network by administering the unprecedented investment in ports and waterways made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including $2.25 billion to be awarded over the next five years through the Port Infrastructure Development Program and $25 million for the America’s Marine Highway Program.

Prior to this appointment, Phillips served as the first Special Assistant to the Governor of Virginia for Coastal Adaptation and Protection, where she built a collaborative, whole of government and community approach to address the impact of coastal flooding across the Commonwealth, including the development of Virginia’s first Coastal Resilience Master Plan. In particular, she coordinated across Federal, State, local, and other partners to create equitable strategies to address rising waters and climate impact to federal, maritime, and other critical coastal infrastructure assets in Virginia. 

Admiral Phillips served nearly 31 years as a surface warfare officer.  Her final tour of duty, as Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group TWO, included the direct oversight of 14 ships and 10 subordinate commands - all the Amphibious Expeditionary Forces on the East Coast of the United States. Earlier, she served on the Chief of Naval Operations’ Staff as Deputy Director and then Director of the Surface Warfare Division. Previous to those positions, she had the honor to commission and command the USS MUSTIN (DDG 89) and to command Destroyer Squadron 28.

Phillips earned a Master of Business Administration, with distinction, from The College of William & Mary – Raymond A. Mason School of Business - in 2016. She holds a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  

ADM Linda L. Fagan, USCG

Commandant, United States Coast Guard

Admiral Linda L. Fagan assumed the duties as the 27th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on June 1st, 2022. As Commandant, she oversees all global Coast Guard operations and 42,000 active-duty, 7,000 reserve, and 8,700 civilian personnel, as well as the support of 21,000 Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers.

She previously served as the 32nd Vice Commandant. Prior flag assignments include Commander, Pacific Area, and Commander, Coast Guard Defense Force West; Deputy Commandant for Operations, Policy, and Capability; Commander, First Coast Guard District; and a joint assignment as Deputy Director of Operations for Headquarters, United States Northern Command.   

Admiral Fagan has served on all seven continents, from the snows of Ross Island, Antarctica to the heart of Africa, from Tokyo to Geneva, and in many ports along the way. Operational tours include Commander, Sector New York, more than 15 years as a Marine Inspector, and sea duty in USCGC POLAR STAR, a 399 ft heavy polar icebreaker.  Staff assignments include Executive Assistant to the Commandant and Vice Commandant, and Division Chief of the Foreign and Offshore Compliance Office.

Possessing extensive interagency as well as intergovernmental experience, Admiral Fagan has worked with both the International Maritime Organization and International Labor Organization on flag state and port state issues. This work includes the development of the International Ship and Port Security Code (ISPS), and the Consolidated Maritime Labor Convention.

Admiral Fagan holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science degree from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, a Master of Science in Marine Affairs degree from the University of Washington, and a Master in National Resource Strategy degree from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. She has earned numerous personal and team awards during her 37 years of Coast Guard service.  Admiral Fagan is the longest serving active duty Marine Safety Officer and holds the distinction of being the Coast Guard’s first-ever Gold Ancient Trident.

Joseph Morris

Port Director, Massachusetts Port Authority (MassPort)

Joseph Morris is the Port Director for the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), holding the position since February 2022. In this role, he leads all aspects of the Maritime Division which includes the cruise and container business lines, port security, the operation of community spaces, and the maintenance of real estate holdings throughout the city.

After more than 20-years with the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group, Joe and his family moved from Costa Rica to Massachusetts in March 2020. During his time with A.P. Moller – Maersk, he held positions in 11 locations around the globe in operations, information technology, project management, and business development.

Joe has a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and is an inaugural member of the American Association of Port Authorities Port Professionals Executive program where he will provide mentorship for participants in leadership programs in the Americas. Joe is also a member of the Advisory Board for the University of Massachusetts Boston’s Supply Chain and Service Management program.

Tom Boyle

Director of Vessel Operations and Carrier Sales, South Carolina Ports Authority

Tom Boyle is the Director of Vessel Operations and Carrier Sales at the South Carolina State Ports Authority - the 8th largest container port in the United States. Tom oversees the port evolution for vessels calling all five of South Carolina Ports marine terminals including container, breakbulk, RO/RO, and cruise. Tom also manages ocean carrier relations with the world’s largest vessel operating carriers. Prior to working with South Carolina Ports, Tom was a Port Captain for Maersk Line and a deck officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine. A graduate from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point with a degree in Marine Transportation, Tom also holds an MBA in finance from the College of Charleston. Tom is an active member in the Propeller Club and a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Naval Reserve.

Jonathan Caverly, Ph.D

Professor of Strategy, U.S. Naval War College

Jonathan Caverley is professor of strategy in the Strategic and Operational Research Department of the Naval War College’s Center for Naval Warfare Studies and a research affiliate in the security studies program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is the inaugural director of the Bernard Brodie Strategy Group. He was formerly assistant professor of political science at Northwestern University, where he founded and co-chaired the working group on security studies at the Roberta Buffett Center. He previously served eight years as a submarine officer in the U.S. Navy and as an assistant professor of naval science at Northwestern University.

Vice Admiral Joanna Nunan

Superintendent, United States Merchant Marine Academy

Vice Admiral Joanna Nunan assumed command of the United States Merchant Marine Academy on December 8, 2022. She is the first woman in Academy history to hold this role.

Nunan, who spent more than three decades in the U.S. Coast Guard, has commanded units at multiple levels both afloat and ashore. Before her retirement, she was the Coast Guard’s Deputy for Personnel Readiness. In that role, she oversaw the Coast Guard’s entire personnel enterprise, including the recruitment, training, support, and retention of all active duty, reserve, and civilian personnel. She also supervised the Coast Guard Academy and served on its Board of Trustees.

She also served as the Assistant Commandant for Human Resources. In that role, among her many responsibilities, she helped spearhead efforts to expand diversity and inclusion in the Coast Guard, including formulating policy changes focused on increasing the retention of women in the service. She also served as a member of the Coast Guard’s Sexual Assault Prevention, Response, and Recovery Committee. 

Earlier in her career, she served as the Military Advisor to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and John Kelly, as well as the Military Assistant to Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta. She also served more than nine years at sea—including commanding two buoy tenders—and previously served as the Commander of the Ninth Coast Guard District and as Commander of Coast Guard Sector Honolulu.

A Bridgeport, Connecticut native, Nunan graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1987 and received her Master of Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic. She also holds several Coast Guard merchant marine licenses, including Master of vessels of not more than 1,600 gross tons and 3rd Mate on vessels of unlimited tonnage, upon oceans.  

James P. Spear

Director, LNG Center of Excellence, State University of New York Maritime College

James Spear is currently a Marine Transportation Department lecturer at the State University of New York Maritime College at Fort Schuyler. Since graduating from SUNY Maritime College in 2011, James has primarily worked at the intersection of energy, shipping and the environment with Shell, ExxonMobil and Cheniere Energy. James sailed onboard both Jones Act and international-flag vessels, including on LNG, crude and clean product tankers.

Prior to joining SUNY Maritime, James’ shore-side work included roles in marine assurance, commercial optimization and terminal operations. He is a recurring delegate to IMO’s MEPC and the Board Secretary of the New York Council of the Navy League.

At SUNY Maritime College, James primarily teaches courses in sustainability, marine tanker operations, commercial ship management and the recently launched LNG courses. He also serves as the Director for SUNY Maritime College’s LNG Center of Excellence and as the faculty advisor for Maritime College LGBTQ+ Pride and for Maritime College’s energy club, SPARK.

Patrick Keffler

Regional Manager Americas, International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO)

Patrick Keffler joined INTERTANKO in September 2018 as the Chemical Manager. He acts as Secretary for INTERTANKO’s Chemical Tanker Committee and Chemical Tanker Sub-Committee Americas.  These technical bodies provide Members a forum to discuss national and global regulatory developments and pollution prevention and pollution liability issues, as well as developing best practices to improve safety standards on chemical tankers. He also represents INTERTANKO at IMO meetings that discuss chemical tanker standards.

In addition, he is also INTERTANKO’s Regional Manager Americas, where he acts as Secretary for the North and Latin American Panels and manages Member activities in the North and South America.

Previously, Patrick served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 22 years, retiring in 2012.  He then worked as a federal employee in the Coast Guard for an addition 6 years.  He graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1990 with a bachelors degree in Applied Science and received a Masters of Science in Engineering (Chemical Engineering) from Johns Hopkins University in 1996.

Patrick currently lives in St. Leonard, Maryland with his wife, Rosemary.  They have three grown children, Joseph, Michael and Julia.

Captain Abhimanyu Singh

Senior Manager, Amogy

An experienced maritime business professional specializing in commercial operations, driving industry decarbonization through digital and hardware solutions. A Master Mariner by background with more than 11 years of sailing experience on various tanker ships. Extensive expertise in forming and managing great teams for high value industry projects. On a sustainability mission to decarbonize shipping and create a better future for generations to come.

Bethann Rooney

Port Director, Port of Authority of New York and New Jersey

Bethann Rooney was appointed the Director of the Port Department at The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in April 2022. She oversees the management, operation, and ongoing development of the major marine terminal facilities in the Port of New York and New Jersey, the la rgest and busiest seaport on the East Coast of North America. As the Port Director, she is responsible for managing a nearly $400 million annual budget, advancing major capital programs, increasing cargo and passenger volumes, promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in a ll of the Port’s programs and fostering safe, secure, sustainable, and innovative practices all focused on strengthening the Port’s contribution to the regional economy.

Throughout her 32-year career, Rooney has distinguished herself as a leader in port operations, maritime transportation, and global logistics. Ms. Rooney regularly networks with a wide range of customers, partners, and stakeholders and has a proven track record of collaborative, inclusive, and transparent leadership. Since joining the Port Authority in 1993, she has held a series of management positions with progressive responsibilities including operations, leasing, property management, intermodal transportation, and technology planning. In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, Bethann was named the first ever Manager, Port Security, a position she held for 14 years, developing, and managing best-in-class port security and emergency management programs. Beth then broke new ground once again and assumed a newly created senior role focused on port performance, efficiency, and goods movement after she created the framework for what is today the Council on Port Performance. In April 2019 Ms. Rooney became the Port’s Deputy Director and was instrumental in finalizing the Port Master Plan 2050, helping to lead the Port through pandemic related growth in container volumes of more than 30% and gaining approval from the Army Corps of Engineers to further deepen the Port’s naviga tion channels to 55-feet.

She is a graduate of the State University of New York Maritime College with a Ma ster’s in International

Transportation and a Bachelor’s in Marine Transportation with qualifications as a Third Mate. She is also an Accredited Marine Port Executive (AMPE) from the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives, recipient of the US Secretaryof Transportation’s 9/11 Medal and two-time recipient of the US Department of Homeland Security’s Distinguished Public Service Award.

Rear Admiral John W. Mauger, USCG

First District Commander, United States Coast Guard

Rear Admiral Mauger assumed the duties of Commander, First Coast Guard District in May 2022. He oversees all Coast Guard missions across eight states in the Northeast including over 2,000 miles of coastline from the U.S.-Canadian border to northern New Jersey and 1300 miles offshore.

Rear Admiral Mauger previously served as the Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, responsible for the development of national policy, standards, and programs promoting Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Stewardship.

During prior flag assignments, he served as the Assistant Commandant for Capability, responsible for identifying and providing capabilities, competencies, and capacity along with developing standards for the staffing, training, equipping, sustaining, maintaining, and employing Coast Guard forces to meet mission requirements. He also served as the Director of Training and Exercises (J7) at U.S. Cyber Command where he developed joint training and assessment standards and orchestrated over two dozen large scale exercises for the Cyber Mission Forces, partner nations, inter agencies, all Services, National Guard, Reserves, and private industry.

Previous assignments include serving as the Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Marine Safety Center, where he served as the Coast Guard’s lead technical authority for the implementation of commercial safety, security and environmental protection regulations. He also served as the Chief, Office of Design at Engineering Standards at Coast Guard Headquarters, where he led the development of safety and environmental protection standards for international shipping and offshore oil and gas activity.

RADM Mauger also served as Military Assistant to the Director, Office of Net Assessment at the Pentagon, where he advised senior defense leaders on competitive strategies; the Coast Guard’s lead budget analyst for the service’s $1.4 billion acquisition appropriation; and the Chief of Staff, for the Department of Homeland Security’s 2008 Presidential Transition team.

His operational assignments include overseeing commercial port operations in Charleston, SC, where he enforced maritime safety and security regulations in one of the nation’s strategic commercial and military ports; conducting commercial vessel inspections and casualty investigations at Activities Europe; and Assistant Engineering Officer of a high endurance cutter in Honolulu, HI. His staff tours include service as Chief of Commercial Vessel Security during the national response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and as an engineer at the Marine Safety Center and the Electronics Engineering Center.

RADM Mauger earned a Bachelor of Science, with Honors, from the Coast Guard Academy in 1991; a Master of Science, with Honors, from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1997; and a Master of Science, with Distinction, from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at National Defense University in 2011. He is a 2009 Fellow of the Graduate School’s Executive Potential Program and a 2011 Graduate of Defense Acquisition University’s Senior Acquisition Course.

His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Coast Legion of Merit (two awards), Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), the Coast Guard Commendation Medal (three awards), the DHS Secretary’s Exceptional Service Gold Medal, and the EPA Administrator’s Silver Medal.

A native of Jenkintown, PA, RADM Mauger resides in Wellesley, MA with his wife, Leah, and two children.

Samuel Norton

President, & CEO, Overseas Shipholding Group

Samuel Norton was appointed Chief Executive Officer and President of OSG in December 2016. Prior to this appointment, he served as Senior Vice President and President and Chief Executive Officer of OSG's U.S. Flag Strategic Business Unit from July 2016. Mr. Norton served as a non-executive Director on OSG's Board from 2014 to July 2016. In 2006 Mr. Norton co-founded SeaChange Maritime, LLC, an owner and operator of container ships, and served as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Norton previously spent 17 years as a senior executive officer at Tanker Pacific Management (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. In 1995, Mr. Norton initiated and led the entry of the Sammy Ofer Group into the container segment and acquired and operated the first container vessels in the group's fleet. While at Tanker Pacific, Mr. Norton also conceived and started a related business, Tanker Pacific Offshore Terminals, which owns and operates a fleet of floating, offshore oil storage terminals. Prior to joining the Ofergroup, Mr. Norton played a lead role in the Asian distressed assets group of the First National Bank of Boston, a position which acquainted him with the shipping industry and the Ofer family. Mr. Norton holds a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language and Literature from Dartmouth College.

Captain David (Duke) Snider 

CEO & Principal Consultant, Martech Polar Consulting Ltd.

Captain David (Duke) Snider is the CEO and Principal Consultant of Martech Polar Consulting Ltd, a privately-owned company providing global ice navigation services and support for polar shipping, ice navigation, polar research, expedition logistics support and ice related consulting services.  Martech Polar provides Ice Navigators on cargo, research, cruise and expedition ships and private yachts in ice covered waters worldwide.  Martech Polar is heavily involved in assisting owners and operators to meet Polar Code requirements through completion of Operational Assessments and Polar Waters Operations Manuals. 

Captain Snider is a Master Mariner with over 40 years at sea, operating many vessels in a broad variety of ice regimes in Arctic and Antarctic Polar Regions, the Baltic, Great Lakes and Eastern North American waters.  He has served onboard Naval, Commercial and Coast Guard Vessels. He retired from Canadian Coast Guard service as Regional Director Fleet Western Region in 2013 to run his own company.  He remains active at sea, holding both Polar Waters Advanced Certificate of Proficiency and The Nautical Institute Ice Navigator Level 2 Certification.  As a marine consultant he has extensive experience in authoring and contributing to numerous shipping feasibility studies, as expert witness in marine insurance arbitrations and cases as well as marine industry safety and risk reviews.

As an Ice Navigator Captain Snider has been the author of and contributed to many ice regime shipping feasibility studies as well as numerous papers on ice navigation.  The second edition of Captain Snider’s authoritative book Polar Ship Operations was published by the Nautical Institute in 2018 is soon to be released in a Spanish edition. He holds a Bachelor of Maritime Studies degree granted by Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. He was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal in 2011 for his many years as a member of The Nautical Institute dedicated to improving safety at sea, with particular focus on improving standards of ice navigation.  His honours also include the Canadian Coast Guard Exemplary Service Medal and the United States Coast Guard Antarctic Service Medal.  He was recently awarded the Maritime Museum of British Columbia Beaver Medal for outstanding achievements in polar navigation including roles in promoting internationally recognized ice navigation qualifications.

 Captain Snider is the Past President of The Nautical Institute and now sits on the Institute’s Executive Board.  He is Chair of the Ice Navigator Working Group which is tasked with administering The Nautical Institute's global standard for Ice NavigatorTraining and Certification Standard. He is a member of The Nautical Institute’s NGO delegation to IMO on matters of ice and polar navigation.

Sean Plankey

Maritime Cybersecurity Leader, U.S. Cyber Command

Acutely strategic and deeply insightful, Sean brings more than two decades of experience in cybersecurity, AI, maritime and national security.  Throughout his career, Sean has led the cybersecurity planning and decision-making process for the government and private sector to protect against cyber attacksin an evolving and dynamic threat environment. 

Sean served in multiple Silicon Valley start ups, most recently at Bedrock Systems, an industry leading software company that delivers secure critical infrastructure from edge to cloud where he was the Chief Architect for Critical Industries. 

Prior to that position, Sean was the Chief Technology Officer for Public Sector at Data Robot, the industry leading AI Intelligence platform. Sean led DataRobot’s efforts to build a public sector practice and use their AI Platform to solve cybersecurity problems in support of Fortune 500 clients.

He has also served as the Global Intelligence Officer for BP where he provided BP global corporate and business interests with threat assessments, cyber intelligence, and due diligence.

In government, Sean served at the U.S. Department of Energy as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response. Here he led energy sector engagement, preparedness and response activities and research development in cybersecurity and physical security to better protect the U.S. energy infrastructure.  

Earlier Sean worked for the National Security Council as the Director for Maritime and Pacific Cybersecurity Policy, where he co-authored the National Maritime Cybersecurity Plan and multiple Presidential Directives on Offensive Cyberspace Operations that were signed by the President. 

Sean is a veteran, retiring after twenty years in the U.S. Coast Guard, first as a Navigator and Operations Officer on multiple Coast Guard Cutters, and later providing cybersecurity leadership at the U.S Cyber Command and deployed with US Forces Afghanistan. Sean has a Masters of Science, Computers and Information Technology from the University of Pennsylvania and graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He holds numerous professional cybersecurity and information technology certifications.