Faculty Profile
Pete
Sarnacki `79
MMA
diy
kind of guy
Pete Sarnacki `79, Associate Professor of Engineering, is a self-proclaimed "DIY guy to the extreme". His latest do-it-
Travis Fergola `10, Amanda Laney `10, Mike Huffman `08, Nate Bears `08, and Marcel Muise `95
yourself endeavor is a super-evaporator for maple syrup boiling which he welded out of scrap stainless steel. The new sap
contraption is taking his 20-year hobby to new heights (it boils down 10 gallons per hour), but it's still a hobby. After all, he
is a full-time instructor with a side job, and an assortment of other interests he seems to fit in, too.
A native of Searsport and an MMA Class of '79 graduate, Pete began his career sailing the Great Lakes. After a few years,
he went further west to Alaska, a career move that spanned ten years working for Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, which
operates and maintains the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. At Alyeska, Pete began as a technician, but ultimately served as
marine operations supervisor, a position he held during the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989. At that time, he was supervising
the construction of an integrated response vessel, which is now widely used to clean up oil spills.
When Pete returned to Maine with a new family in tow, he got a call from Groves Herrick, engineering department chair,
encouraging him to apply for a faculty position to teach the gas turbine curriculum. It was a great fit for Pete and his family,
and for the Academy. The shift from industry to academia meant a reduction in salary, but he liked the work environment,
and especially wanted the chance to work with students. When his two sons were grown, they were also drawn to the
Academy: Brendyn was valedictorian of the Class of 2008; Aaron took advanced math courses at MMA during High School.
Pete says his key role as a teacher is that of a facilitator. He says his strength is "the transfer of theoretical knowledge into
real-life, practical understanding." Pete also advises students on capstone projects and is part of a growing team of faculty
and students conducting wind, energy and other research projects on campus. Pete and his students have developed and
tested various thermoelectric devices for non-conventional conversion of heat energy directly into power; research that he
finds both intriguing and rewarding. "The students make it all worthwhile."
When he's not on campus, you might find Pete at TPS America, a soils bioremediation company with headquarters in
California and offices in Belfast, where he serves as Senior Engineer, or you may find him in his wood shop (he finished his
house in cherry wood). He also makes his own smoked fish, is an avid gardener, a pilot...the list goes on. For Pete Sarnacki,
there is seemingly no end to the projects he can fit in to a day.
35 MARINER 2013 - Issue 2

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