Agenda:
1130 – Registration & Networking Lunch
1200 – Welcome – Captain Clint Winegar, Presiding Officer, Houston Pilots
1215 – Opening & Introduction– Joe Hughes, Chairman of the Managers of The American Club and Chairman of NAMEPA
1230 – Keynote: Between the Rhetoric and Reality in Trump’s Administration – Keith Letourneau, Partner, Blank Rome
1300- Navigating Disruption: Cybersecurity, Digitalization, Automation, and Risk Management in Maritime Operations –Moderator: Angeliki Zisimatou, Director of Cybersecurity, ABS
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- Cybersecurity – Max Bobys, Vice President and Practice Leader, HudsonCyber
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- Digitalization – Mauricio Garrido, President, T&T Salvage
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- Risk Management –Joe Hughes, Chairman of the Managers of The American Club
1345- Alternative Fuels: Overcoming Challenges in Adoption and Infrastructure – Moderator: Jan Hagen Andersen, Business Development Director, DNV
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- Laying the Foundation- David Cummins, President and CEO, Blue Sky Maritime Coalition
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- Hydrogen and Electric – Andy Morgans, Sustainability Program Manager, Port Houston
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- LNG – Donnie Brown, Senior Vice President, Maritime Policy, CLIA
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- Response Preparation for Future Fuels – Mario Haldenwang, Salvage Master, SMIT Salvage Americas
1430- Coffee Break
1500- Maritime Security= National Security: Repowering the US Maritime Industry
- A discussion with the authors of Zero Point Four- How US Leadership in Maritime will Secure America’s Future and others on the status of the SHIPS Act
- RADM Jim Watson (USCG Ret.)
- Carleen Lyden Walker, Co-Founder and CEO of NAMEPA
1545- Collaborations at Work- Workforce Development and Port Houston Partners in Maritime Education (PHPME)
Moderator: Molly Dushay, Executive Director, NAMEPA
- Jacquie Young-Hall, Maritime Education Outreach Manager, Port Houston
- John Stauffer, Associate Vice Chancellor – Maritime, San Jacinto College
- Captain Nate Swerdlin, Maritime Instructor, Texas City Independent School District
- Robert Bruce, Senior Manager for Standards and Performance, Chevron
1630- Houston Happenings:
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- Houston Pilots – Captain Clint Winegar, Presiding Officer, Houston Pilots
- Houston Maritime Center & Museum – Brian Cosgrove, Interim Executive Director, Houston Maritime Center & Museum
- NAMEPA on Deck – Adopt A Ship Program update and continuation- Meghan Reilly, Education and Outreach Manager, NAMEPA
1645- Wrap Up- Joe Hughes, Chairman of the Managers of The American Club and Chairman of NAMEPA
Our Speakers:
Andy Morgans: Andy Morgans is the Sustainability Program Manager for Port Houston. He joined Port Houston in 2024 following working in the private and public sectors in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe and the United Kingdom. Andy oversees and executes Port Houston’s carbon neutrality plan which involves the development of sustainability business, energy transition, and operational resiliency programs.
Angeliki Zisimatou: Angeliki is the Technology Director for Cybersecurity at ABS. With over 20 years of experience in the marine and offshore industries, her expertise includes engineering, auditing, and industrial cybersecurity. She has a strong knowledge in OT/ICS systems and related compliance requirements including NIST, IMO, ISO and IACS. As the Technology Director for Cybersecurity, Angeliki collaborates with internal and external clients to assist with the interpretation of requirements, their implementation and application efforts. Previously, she led the Global Industrial Cybersecurity Operations at ABS Group. Since April 2024, she has been elected as the inaugural Chair of the IACS Safe Digital Transformation Panel, leading IACS’s efforts in the areas of autonomy, cybersecurity, data, and systems complexity.
She holds a Master’s degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, a Master of Science in Maritime Economics and Logistics and a Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity, Policy and Compliance.
Brian Cosgrove: Brian Cosgrove has been the Interim Executive Director of Houston Maritime Center & Museum since August 2024. Brian began his career as a quality assurance and project engineer with both General Electric and Westinghouse working on Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program contracts. He served as both a watch officer onboard the Massachusetts Maritime Academy training ship, TS Patriot State, as well as an Adjunct Faculty member in the Marine Engineering Department. He has lived in Houston since 1997 when he accepted a facility engineering management position in the Texas Medical Center. Since 2010, Brian has worked in the nonprofit sector. He has been with Houston Maritime Center & Museum since 2020.
Brian is a 1988 graduate of Massachusetts Maritime Academy where he earned a BS in Marine Engineering. He earned a MS in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1993 and a MA in Nonprofit Management from the University of Houston – Downtown in 2020. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site and is a member of the Education Subcommittee for the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee.
Carleen Lyden Walker: Carleen Lyden Walker is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of NAMEPA (North American Marine Environment Protection Association) leveraging off her experience as a marketing and communications professional in the commercial maritime industry with over 40 years of experience.
In 2015, Ms. Walker was appointed a Goodwill Maritime Ambassador by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). She is a member of WISTA (Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association), The National Press Club, WIMAC (Women in Maritime Association, Caribbean) and is a Past-President of the Propeller Club Chapter of the Port of NY/NJ. She was also elected to the Board of Trustees of the Tall Ships Foundation and Northeast Maritime Institute and has been consistently listed in the top 100 global maritime women.
Ms. Walker is also Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Marketing & Communications, Chief Evolution Officer for SHIPPINGInsight. In 2010, she was awarded the Certificate of Merit by the United States Coast Guard and in 2014 a Public Service Commendation for her work on World Maritime Day and AMVER, respectively. Ms. Walker graduated from Wellesley College with a BA in Political Science and History (minor in Economics) and studied Accounting at Cornell School of Business Administration. She held a USCG Captain’s license.
Captain Clint Winegar: Captain Clint Winegar, Presiding Officer of the Houston Pilots since 2023, is a graduate of Texas A&M at Galveston with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation. Previously he held the position of Second Officer of the Houston Pilots (2014-2015 and 2022). In addition, he serves as Vice President of the American Pilots Association representing the Gulf States of Texas, Alabama, and Mississippi.
Prior to becoming a Pilot, he sailed on Product and Chemical Tankers moving cargo around the world for nearly 10 years. Since 2005, he has been licensed as a State Pilot on the Houston Ship Channel, logging over 2700 jobs and 12,000 bridge hours.
Currently serving on the Board of Directors for Economic Alliance Port Region, Greater Houston Port Bureau, Houston Maritime Museum and Center and Houston International Seafarers Center. Also, active member of East End Chamber of Commerce.
David Cummins: David Cummins is President of the Blue Sky Maritime Coalition, a non-profit, strategic alliance formed to accelerate the transition of waterborne transportation in Canada and the United States toward net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Prior to his current role, Cummins worked as an executive with Shell with more than 35 years’ experience covering many locations around the world as well as many diverse businesses and skill areas. Cummins was Shell’s Commercial and Business Development Manager for Shipping & Maritime, Americas, and before that served as Vice President of Shell Korea Limited, managing relationships with Korean shipyards and heavy industry. Cummins previously contributed to Shell’s success in technical management, global strategy development, commercial deal making, new business development, strategic customer account management, divestment and portfolio deal teams, capital project planning & execution, and change management/corporate redesign.
Cummins is a frequent speaker with various organizations on topics including Shipping Sectoral Decarbonization, Global/International Account Management, Strategy Development, Negotiation/Deal Making and Cultural Differences between Western and Asian Countries. In his personal time Cummins is an avid golfer and photographer and is also sole proprietor of a timber tract operations company in the US.
Donnie Brown: Donald Brown is the Senior Vice President for Maritime Policy at the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). In this capacity he coordinates industry positions on technical, regulatory and policy matters related to cruise ship safety, security, and environmental stewardship.
Prior to joining CLIA, he served as a Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard. As the Chief of the Operations Law Group, he provided agency-wide legal counsel to senior officials and federal interagency leaders on transnational maritime threats, facilitating agency, national, and international consensus on policy matters. Previous assignments include U.S. Northern Command and NORAD, speechwriter and special assistant in the Office of the Coast Guard Commandant, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Florida, Rescue Coordination Center Miami and sea-going assignments aboard Cutters ESCANABA (1st Lieutenant) and VASHON (Executive Officer).
Donald is a 1993 graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy and a 2003 graduate from the University of Miami School of Law where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Inter-American Law Review.
Jacquie Young-Hall: Jacquie Young-Hall joined Port Houston in 2017 as the Maritime Education Outreach Manager, which focuses on the education and workforce development initiatives for students interested in a career in the Maritime, Logistics, and other related fields. She loves engaging with students and parents regarding the vast academic and career opportunities within the Greater Houston Port Region.
Jacquie serves as the Maritime Education and Workforce Development liaison between Port Houston, Business Organizations, Academic, and Industry partners, holding numerous seats on Career and Technical Education and Post-Secondary Advisory Boards. She also oversees the Port of Houston Partners in Maritime Education, 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
Her management role also includes spearheading and participating in local events, workshops, seminars, and career fairs that highlight current and future education and workforce outlooks, annually engaging with 10K+ students (k-12) and 500+ undergraduate and graduate students.
Jacquie has over twenty-five years of experience in Small Business and Non-Profit Management, Community Engagement, Curriculum Development, Project Management, Technical and Grant Writing, and Fund Development.
Jan Hagen Andersen: Jan Hagen Andersen has over 30 years of experience in the maritime industry with a broad technical knowledge and business development understanding. After graduating from engineering college in Norway, he completed a Bachelor and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. He then joined Trans Marine Propulsion Systems, Inc. in 1991, a marine engineering and service company in Seattle with a focus on marine propulsion and ship machinery systems.
In 2005, he joined DNV in Norway in the Machinery Section of Maritime Technical Advisory. The advisory group in DNV provides consultancy and non-class support services to ship owners, shipyards, manufacturers, designers, and other stakeholders. In 2010 he moved to DNV Maritime in Houston, Texas and is currently in Business Development and the Regional Director for Maritime Decarbonization. The role focus on maritime energy transition, energy efficiency, environmental compliance, and supporting maritime clients. He has been engaged with several projects and studies on alternative fuels and new technologies for ships and offshore units. He is a member of the SNAME M-16 Panel on Propulsion Shafting and is on the North America Marine Environmental Protection Association (NAMEPA) Board of Directors.
Joe Hughes:Joe has served as chairman of the managers of The American Club, an International Group mutual, for nearly twenty-nine years. Joe also oversees the activities of Eagle Ocean Agencies, Inc., an affiliate of SCB, which operates the Eagle Ocean Marine and Eagle Ocean America insurance facilities. In addition, he is a director both the American Club itself and its European subsidiary based in Cyprus. In addition to his chairmanship of NAMEPA, Joe is president of the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey, a director of NYMAR and also sits on committees of the American Bureau of Shipping and Lloyd’s Register of Shipping.
CAPT John Stauffer: CAPT John Stauffer is the Associate Vice Chancellor for San Jacinto College Maritime Campus where he oversees both the credit and noncredit maritime programs. John’s responsibilities included educational leadership and administrative management of all training and educational programs at the maritime campus.
Prior to joining San Jacinto College John served as the President at Maritime Institute where he was the day-to-day leader of one of the largest maritime training companies in the United States. John’s responsibilities include educational leadership and administrative management of over 100 U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and GWO approved courses in Norfolk, San Diego, Alameda, Honolulu, and Guam.
John served for 22 years as an Army Warrant Officer concluding his career as the Chief of the Maritime Operations Branch in Virginia where he provided operational guidance for the training of Army maritime professionals. During John’s 22 years of honorable service he deployed three times to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom earning numerous awards and recognition to include the Bronze Star.
John Stauffer earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Saint Leo University and his MBA from Liberty University. John is from Pittsburgh, PA and has been happily married to his high school sweetheart Melissa for 29 years. John and Melissa have two adult daughters Alli and Ashley Stauffer. John enjoys running, golfing, traveling and serving his community.
Keith Letourneau: Keith’s government contract experience includes shipyard bid protests, labor standards disputes, and appeals of contracting officers’ final decisions before boards of contract, as well as solicitation and bid reviews and evaluations. He has also defended document-intensive shipyard and oil rig repair contract disputes.
He is co-chair of the firm’s Blockchain Working Group. He has published recent articles about the industry, specifically as it relates to maritime matters, and presented on Blockchain issues at the firm’s Litigation Department CLE program in Philadelphia in November 2017.
Keith served as a trial attorney for both the U.S. Coast Guard’s Procurement Law Division and the Admiralty Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Division. He is a retired commander of the U.S. Coast Guard. His military service included assignments as a deck watch officer aboard a medium-endurance cutter that engaged in drug law enforcement efforts in the Caribbean Basin and as commanding officer of a Coast Guard patrol boat stationed along the southeast Texas coast.
Keith is a member of the Order of the Coif, an honorary academic society that recognizes law students, teachers, judges, and lawyers for their scholarly or professional achievements.
Max Bobys: Mr. Bobys leads HudsonAnalytix’ Cyber practice. With 25 years of experience in enterprise risk management, he advises clients on cybersecurity strategy, governance, risk, and organizational transformation. Mr. Bobys led the team that developed Hudson’s award-winning CyberLogix® program suite and has worked with a diverse range of shipping companies, port authorities and terminal operators throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia in assessing their cybersecurity programs and developing strategies and plans to ensure alignment with evolving IMO cybersecurity requirements. He has held executive leadership roles at Axio, Civitas Strategy-Paladin Capital Group, BAE Systems, and HTC Global Services (Ciber), has co-authored cybersecurity best practices for ports and terminal operators with the European Union’s Agency for Cybersecurity, the Organization of American States Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism, and the International Association of Ports and Harbors. He is a regular lecturer on maritime transportation cybersecurity at the US Naval War College, and in 2024 he joined the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Cybersecurity, contributing to the development of best practices for cyber resilience in maritime transportation and supply chain ecosystems. He is a member of the DE Bay Area Maritime Security Committee’s Cyber-Subcommittee.
Captain Nate Swerdlin: Born and raised on the waters of Galveston, Captain Nate Swerdlin is a Clear Lake, TX native. Thanks to his father, he grew up on boats and began his Hawsepiper journey working on barges and crew boats. Over the next few years, he gained experience in the O&G industry, steadily advancing his license scope. His passion for fishing led him to Alaska, where he spent seven years as a commercial fisherman and charter operator—checking off a bucket list dream!
In 2012, Capt. Nate transitioned to offshore safety training, specializing in Major Emergency Management and USCG course instruction before managing the training facility with 110 instructors. He later joined Texas A&M Galveston, overseeing research vessels and vessel training operations. These instructional roles ultimately led him to the most fulfilling chapter of his career.
In 2017, he was given the opportunity to develop and lead the Texas City Industrial Trades Center Maritime Program in TCISD. Since then, he has been committed to training and preparing students for careers in the maritime industry after graduation. His teaching schedule also allows him to maintain his license through summer work aboard passenger vessels and offshore supply vessels (OSVs), ensuring he stays active in the industry while bringing real-world experience back to the classroom.
Robert Bruce: Senior Manager for Standards and Performance, oversees Chevron Shipping’s fleet operations assurance programs, competitive performance and support functions. Robert started his career at sea as a Shell cadet, when selected to pilot a scheme leading to dual certificated officers. After a successful cadetship and additional sailing time, he gained licenses for Master as well as Chief Engineer. During his sailing career, he served on LNG, LPG, clean products as well as crude vessels, he even spent time on small coastal tankers around the UK as well as dredgers. Moving ashore, Robert spent time working for Shell International Trading and Shipping Company (STASCo) in cargo assurance, marine assurance, terminal assurance, business development, FPSO management, projects, terminal management, marine logistics and as being a pilot/loading master in West Africa.
After Shell, he moved to Luanda, Angola and led the marine installation, commissioning and first year of operations for BP and their FPSO “Greater Plutonio”. Robert’s connection to Chevron started in 2008 when he joined Angola LNG, where he was responsible for the design, construction and operations of the LNG terminal in Soyo, when he first arrived the land where the terminal is built today, was still a swamp.
After Angola LNG, he moved to Houston and worked on various Chevron FPSO projects before moving into roles overseeing and assuring the safe transportation of project materials, including some of Chevron’s largest platforms and hulls, such as Big Foot, Wheatstone and JSM. Continuing support for projects and small vessels, Robert was part of the development of the OVID scheme (SIRE for smaller vessels) which transformed the offshore industry.
Next was an assignment in Singapore as Fleet Manager for the LNG fleet of 10 vessels. Returning to Houston in late 2020, he supported the Chevron’s upstream business units with operations and asset integrity for offshore platforms. In 2020, Robert returned to fleet operations to support the transition to SIRE 2.0 and now oversees this program as well as the companies journey to improve competitive performance in safety, security, reliability and efficiency.
Outside of Chevron, Robert is passionate about his football team, Newcastle United and a little-known fact is that he is a qualified and licensed referee.
Our Sponsors:
ABS: ABS, a leading global provider of classification and technical advisory services to the marine and offshore industries, is committed to setting standards for safety and excellence in design, construction and operation. Focused on the safe and practical application of advanced technologies and digital solutions, ABS works with industry and clients to provide solutions that drive sustainability, optimize performance and increase operational efficiency for marine and offshore assets.
From its world headquarters in Houston, ABS delivers survey, engineering and advisory services and solutions to clients through a network of local representatives.
American Club: The American Club’s mission is to provide its Members with a broad and financially secure range of P&I and related insurance services which most effectively meet the imperatives of their day-to-day business and which are delivered in an attentive, efficient, courteous and focused manner.
Blank Rome: Blank Rome Maritime is one of the largest maritime practice groups in the United States and is supported by an even broader Transportation Industry Group that brings considerable depth and experience to the myriad litigation, regulatory and transactional issues facing the maritime industry. With more than 650 attorneys serving clients across the globe, Blank Rome represents businesses and organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-up entities around the globe. Blank Rome helps its clients in all aspects of their businesses. The Firm’s practices cover areas including business tax; commercial and corporate litigation; employment benefits and labor; financial services; bankruptcy and financial restructuring; government relations; health law; intellectual property; maritime; international trade; government contracts; matrimonial; privately held and emerging companies; product liability; public companies and capital formation; public finance; real estate; trusts and estates; and white collar, internal and government investigations. Blank Rome also represents pro bono clients in a wide variety of cases and matters. For more information, go to www.blankrome.com.
Cargill: Cargill’s ocean transportation is a leading freight-trading business which provides bulk shipping services to customers across the globe. Founded in 1956, Cargill commands the highest level of operational expertise which ensures the sustainable and efficient management of its 650-strong fleet. Cargill has a unique market perspective able to combine first-class operations with expert trading in both physical and financial freight markets.
DNV: DNV is the world’s leading classification society and a recognized advisor for the maritime industry. The company enhances safety, quality, energy efficiency and environmental performance of the global shipping industry – across all vessel types and offshore structures. DNV invests heavily in research and development to find solutions, together with the industry, that address strategic, operational or regulatory challenges.
As we celebrate 125 years of operation in the U.S.A., DNV would like to thank all the valued customers and stakeholders we have worked alongside. These relationships have been the foundation for our success. We look forward to continued collaboration towards a safe and sustainable industry.
Visit us at www.dnv.com for more information.
DonJon: Donjon Marine is a maritime corporation with over 60 years of premier service in various aspect of the marine industry including salvage, dredging, heavy-lift, as well as towing & transportation. Based on a longstanding tradition of experienced marine professionals, Donjon Marine is dedicated to – and empowered by – the strength of our people, our expertise, and the assets that allow us to always be in a position to manage any and all challenges – on sea and land.
Dorian LPG: Dorian LPG is a liquefied petroleum gas shipping company and a leading owner and operator of modern VLGCs. Dorian LPG currently owns and operates 22 modern VLGCs. Dorian LPG has offices in Connecticut, USA, London, United Kingdom and Athens, Greece. http://dorianlpg.com/
Fairfield Chemical Carriers: Fairfield Chemical Carriers, a subsidiary of MOL Chemical Tankers, is committed to being the chemical tanker operator of choice in its selected markets; to providing its customers with top quality and reliable service – creative, proactive, and always client-focused; to maintaining the highest standards for safety and efficiency in the operation of its fleet; and, above all, to conducting all its activities professionally, ethically and in a socially responsible manner. For more information, go to www.fairfieldchemical.com
Houston Pilots: Houston Pilots is a voluntary association of nearly 100 ship pilots providing pilotage services to vessels navigating the Houston Ship Channel. A leader in navigation safety and innovation since 1919, the Association’s goal is to safeguard the interests of the citizens of Harris County by ensuring the safe navigation of deep draft vessels and advocating for the efficient movement of maritime commerce to the over 150 public and private docks along the 52 mile Houston Ship Channel. As exclusive agents commissioned by the Governor of the state of Texas, Houston Pilots oversaw over 18,000 safe vessel transits last year.
Navios: Navios Maritime Partners L.P. (“Navios Partners”, NYSE: NMM), is a leading US publicly listed marine transportation company that owns and operates dry bulk, container and tanker vessels. Navios Partners has a modern fleet of 177 vessels, across three segments with 15+ different types of vessels and an average age of 9.6 years.
Navios Partners is committed to being a leader in sustainability and is continuously working towards this commitment by striving to measure and reduce emissions and waste, aiming to achieve ‘Zero Incidents’, and always focusing on operating ethically, compliantly and transparently. For more information, please visit our website at www.navios-mlp.com.
Morgan Marketing and Communications: Morgan Marketing & Communications LLC is a client-based, retained marketing and communications agency committed to providing its clients with the highest quality professional marketing and communications services available. Our mission is to partner with our clients to meet their needs and exceed their goals.
Pasha: Established in 1947, The Pasha Group is a family-owned, third-generation diversified global logistics and transportation company that provides ocean transportation for containers and rolling stock between the U.S. West Coast and Hawaii; port processing services for finished and privately owned vehicles; stevedoring for vehicles, breakbulk and container cargos; auto hauling services with its truck fleet throughout the contiguous U.S.; domestic and international relocation services; and international logistics management for general commodity and project cargoes.
Scorpio: Scorpio Group is a global provider of marine transportation services. Scorpio Tankers Inc. IS ONE OF THE LARGEST product tanker OPERATORS IN THE WORLD. Scorpio Services Holding provides services to Group companies and third parties including pooling and technical management. Scorpio has its principal offices in Monaco and New York.
For more information, go to www.scorpiogroup.net
T&T Salvage:
With its headquarters in Houston, Texas and other operational bases located throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia, T&T Salvage is strategically positioned to provide a full range of services and emergency response solutions to the global maritime industry. T&T owns portable response equipment capable of being dispatched anywhere in the world on a moment’s notice. For more information, visit http://teichmangroup.com/.