MARINERS: Stay in Touch
Share what you’ve been doing with your fellow alumni. Tell us about career changes, latest achievements, hobbies and adventures. Photos welcome. Submit Alumni News or Class Notes Now.
Peter Schiot is still on the water but in a much smaller craft. Last year he logged 152 days in his ocean racing 20′ shell. “Pay isn’t so good but plenty of fun.”
Joseph Fortin downsized and moved from Texas to Louisiana in January 2022.
Bob Pouch reports, “We completed a 77-day circumnavigation of South America on Holland American Line.”
Eliza Pingree ’15 keeps an open mind. As a transfer student in the MET program, she knew that things might not always go as planned, and she was open to adventure. In the years that followed her graduation from MMA, she has traveled the world and learned more than she ever imagined she could along the way. Here, she shares insights on what it takes to build a life at sea.
Don’t quit your daydream. “Going to sea had always been one of those unattainable daydreams of mine but I was majoring in fine arts and working as a dishwasher at a local restaurant. When my brother applied to MMA, it felt like I was given permission to explore my old daydream. If he could do it, why couldn’t I?”
Work hard and be humble. “One of my biggest takeaways from MMA was to never be above a job. I would never ask anyone to do something that I’m not willing to do myself. Even as a 1st A/E with a department of 40 people, I’m not above getting my hands dirty! I get bored at my desk and am always looking for excuses to do cool stuff.”
...Read MoreLawrence Feldman was chosen as a “Top 100” out of 24,000 U-Haul independent dealers.
Jim Barr wrote to the Alumni Office recently: “This is my narrative as a 1962 graduate of MMA and is intended to emphasize the importance of further education. I have spent a total time on the high seas of 20-25 years, raising my USCG license to Chief Engineer, unlimited horsepower and this included Victory ships, turbo-electric ships, LASH ships, San Clemente tankers, and a transition to large slow speed diesels.
“In this time frame, I dabbled in nuclear power and qualified as a shift test engineer, testing nuclear submarines at Newport News Shipbuilding and Day Deck Company and Electric Boat in Groton, CT. My further exploration enhanced my repertoire of experience and knowledge through working for Bechtel, Stone & Webster, Sargent & Lundy, Burns and Roe, CMP, and Cianbro.
“I am now 81 years old. I retired from sailing the high seas at age 70, having sailed with MEBA District 1 Union for 20 years. At this juncture, I returned to MMA for my master’s degree in Global Supply Chain Logistics, 2010, and a doctoral degree in Business Administration, 2020, from University of Phoenix.”
Congratulations Dr. Barr, well done.
Class Agent Larry Wade reported to classmates that Joe Moran has moved to the Coastal Manor Nursing Facility in Yarmouth. Wade reports that the past president of the MMA Alumni Association is “incredibly sharp and still as witty as ever” and loves company.
EVER SINCE HE WAS A YOUNG STUDENT at MMA, Anthony ‘Dru’ DiMattia ’88 has loved maritime history. Back then, he looked forward to Friday afternoons when Professor Mayhew would regale his Oceanic History class with sea stories from the near and distant past.
Now, DiMattia is himself helping write an essential chapter of that rich history. For over 15 years, he has been involved with the American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV). Since 1983, AMMV has worked to foster a sense of community among Merchant Mariners and raise awareness about the critical role that they have played throughout this nation’s history. DiMattia’s first encounter was with the local chapter near his home in southwest Florida, but he soon became invested in the organization’s work on a national level.
As the all-volunteer organization’s President, DiMattia has been integral in helping to tell the story of America’s World War II veterans. “This group is disappearing,” he says. “Many MMA graduates served in that war, and some were killed in action. Still, if you ask most people about our merchant marine, they haven’t any idea what it is.”
Years of hard work finally paid off in March of 2020 when the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act came into law. As an active member of the committee that designed the medal, DiMattia is looking forward to attending the virtual award ceremony in May when the Speaker of the House will first award the Congressional Gold Medal.
Having attained that milestone, AMMV is focused on its membership base and supporting mariners throughout the decades. “The Merchant Marine has been an important auxiliary to the Navy since 1936,
David Norton is “still lobstering and trying to keep up with our grandkids!”
Bob Martell says, “I missed my 51st reunion due to neck & throat cancer. I would like to thank my classmates for the cards and well wishes from the Academy. I won the battle, thanks to you.”
Rollin Thurlow was featured in the article “Two Traditional Canoe Builders” in issue 164 (2020) of Maine Boats, Homes and Harbors. Thurlow and a former business partner build wood-and-canvas canoes by hand in the tiny town of Atkinson, ME. Their 1987 book The Wood and Canvas Canoe: A Complete Guide is still in print. (Photo: MaineBoats.com)
Gary Chapin reports that he has retired and lives in Cumberland Foreside, ME.
Richard Clapp is in Spokane, WA. His daughter Addy, husband, and grandson are in Seattle. Son Andrew, wife, and granddaughter are in Spokane, WA.
The Class of 1971 has sustained a robust email thread among classmates for many months with sea stories, MMA remembrances, and interesting images. Tim Plummer shared this image of the July 1971 Alumni News (precursor to the Mariner) where MMA’s newest alumni were featured on its cover. Great job Class of 1971!
Roland Martin reports that he is retired and lives in Falmouth, ME, with wife Mary.
Pat Hickey stopped by the alumni office this spring to say hello. Hickey was in town doing work aboard the TSSOM prior to its annual training cruise.
Gary Dustin announced his retirement and is living in Waterville, ME, with wife Patricia.
Capt. Dave Kendall recently retired and is now sailing on his new home — the SV Dreamwa, a 42′ Gozzard. He now reports to Admiral Cyndy Kendall. Classmate Steve Gumpel joined them for the Stonington to Greenwich leg of their voyage south to Port Canaveral from Rockland, ME.
Ray Mann is a staff volunteer for the New Jersey Maritime Museum on Long Beach Island, NJ. The museum is dedicated to the preservation of maritime history and artifacts.
In a recent email to classmates, Class Agent Capt. Dave Witherill shared some images with his classmates, compliments of Mark Johnson. At graduation 1976, Witherill captions this one “Cool Dudes: along with Mark (middle), we have John (Jake) Jacoby to Mark’s right, Russ Koehler to his left, and I believe Doug Koehler on the far right.” Thanks for sharing Mark and Dave.
Masoud Sarikhani passes along, “I am proud of MMA and grateful about all MMA gave me. Love to visit MMA at this age with my classmates.”
AZCO, part of the Burns & McDonnell family of companies, selected Earle Cianchette as CEO of the national industrial construction and prefabrication firm. Cianchette has more than 30 years of construction management experience across multiple industries including power, manufacturing, and oil and gas.
John Murray, CEO of Port Canaveral, FL, met up with recent MMA President-Select Jerry Paul ’89 at “Seaport Day” in Tallahassee, FL, on February 3, where Florida’s seaports showcased how they are playing a leading role in transportation and logistics.
Robert Montgomery served 5 years active duty, Surface Warfare Officer, USN then 29 years with Liberty Mutual, investigating commercial losses. He retired four years ago and “living the dream on the farm coast of southeastern (Westport) MA.”
Steven Wilson retired in February as Chief Engineer with American Steamship Co. after 42 years sailing on the Great Lakes. With the sudden passing of Tammy, his wife of 20 years, retirement plans changed dramatically. Now Wilson spends most of his time hunting, fishing, woodworking, and spending time with his family. He resides in Toledo, OH.
Several alumni attended the retirement party of Mark Paine, Eleish Higgins ’87 and Mike Marzolf ’78 at Danny Murphy’s (formerly The Reef) in Castine, on February 26, 2022. Congratulations!
James Kahler is a Ship Berthing Specialist, working for the Maritime Administration, and lives in Harper’s Ferry, WV.
David MacDonnell has moved to Underhill, VT.
Lee Washburn is the Plant Manager at the Blackstone Energy facility in Blackstone, MA. Washburn and his wife Patti currently reside in Woonsocket, RI, and travel extensively back to Maine and Florida to spend time with their children and grandchildren.
Jonathan Ogle is the Senior Director, Strategic Development for Matson Navigation Company in California. Matson recently formed a partnership with MMA, and he is the Matson Ambassador to MMA. Ogle represented Matson, a sponsor for this spring’s “A Night by the Bay” fundraiser. Following this successful event, he spent most of the week on campus, speaking with classes and students about Matson and the world of logistics.
Anthony Pala is a pilot for FedEx and lives in Falls Church, VA with wife Kathleen.
Capt. Dave Gelinas and his family were the subject of a post on the Camden Herald on March 10. Titled “Meet the Rink-Meister of Molyneaux Road,” the article describes how the Gelinas family creates their own front-yard skating rink bringing outdoor activity to the neighborhood. (Photo: Camden Herald)
John Anderson is living in the Lewiston-Auburn area with wife and youngest son Jack, working at a small trash-to-energy plant as a shift supervisor with eight other Maine Maritime alumni.
William Manduca is self-employed, working as a consultant/coach on various assignments. He lives in Savannah, TN.
Roger Boyington is employed by Atrium Heath Care as the Northern Region Director of Facilities and lives in Concord, NC with his wife Jody.
Paul Gallagher & Hugh Tillman met up in Hawaii. Captain Gallagher is the Vice President at Foss Maritime in Seattle and Tillman, a retired USMC aviator, is enjoying diving and flight instructing in Hawaii.
Jim Carnes has been living in Atlanta, GA, for the past 28 years. After shipping as 3rd/2nd Engineer for 6 years, he worked in the automation field, heavily involved in sensors & pumping systems. In 2002, he started Integrated Process Solutions. Next year will be 20 years in business along with wife of 31 years, Lisa. His daughters are dancers and work cruise ships and other various shows. “MMA gave me the foundation for a good life!”
What are the chances of running into your Port Management professor from 35 years ago from MMA? Dru DiMattia, representing the Convoy Cup Foundation and the American Merchant Marine Veterans organization, met up with Dr. Shashi Kumar, representing MARAD at St Paul’s Abbey, in Newton, NJ in August 2021, honoring the late Captain Leonard LaRue, commander of the “Miracle Ship” SS Meredith Victory, for rescuing 14,000 North Korean refugees 23 December 1950.
Eric Smith is the Director at Resolve Marine Group in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He and wife Pam live in Lithia, FL.
Thomas Wranosky is the power superintendent for Westrock in Panama City, FL. He lives in Tallahassee with his wife Dawn.
Eric King, Senior Director of Operations at the Schmidt Ocean Institute, Palo Alto, CA, was interviewed for the 94th episode of the Longitude.site blog, conducted by SOI fellows, about the history and future of SOI. Visit longitude.site/soi to view.
Dr. John Turner has received tenure at University of North Texas in September 2021 and is an Associate Professor in the College of Information. He is the co-creator of The Flow System (TM), co-author of the book The Flow System (2020), and has published numerous articles.
Geoff Ashton is the Operations Manager for Elexon Mining and resides in the Redcliffe, Queensland, Australia area.
David Lithway is a licensed real estate broker/manager for Landfall Properties, LLC and lives in Panama City, FL.
Members of the Class of 1993 met for dinner in Philadelphia area in February. From left, Eric James (PA), Steve Pellegrino (ME), Mike Tolley (ME), Tom Ashton (PA), and Terry Mannion (PA).
Paul R. MacGillivary sent a “photo of me and my colleagues outside the Graduate Office, May 1992. I’m in the front row, 3rd from right (next to George Schatz). It was a very special time for all of us. I loved Castine, but sadly have never made it back there for a visit. Most of us went on to have great careers from the MMA launchpad. The 30th anniversary of my attending MMA, and my desire to contribute to the 2022 Annual Fund has proven to be a great impetus to reconnect with the school. I faithfully contributed to the Annual Fund for 20 years. I have my online connections to the school, and I have always been an ardent supporter of MMA. I wish to stay connected and continue to support a
great institution — now 80 years young!”
David Harms reports that he is retired. Harms lives in Gilford, NH with wife Heather and children Makenna and Jonathan.
Ben Strickland and wife Candice are now “empty nesters” and have relocated full-time from Norfolk, Virginia to Orlando, Florida. Their son Brian (Cal Maritime ‘17) works in the Seattle area for Trident Maritime Systems as a program manager and their daughters Amy and Laura attend Old Dominion University in Norfolk.
In January, Andrew Russo wrote, “I received the most recent Mariner and when I finished looking it over, I was pleasantly surprised to see the Time & Tide section featuring the former TVSOM model. If memory serves me correctly, this model was displayed in the library during my time at MMA. I want to mention that Tom Linsky ’66 is my uncle and a large part of why I attended MMA. Tommy passed away several years ago but his widow, Carol Linsky, and son, Max Linsky, are still residents of Cape Ann & Beverly, MA respectively…”
“On this Veterans Day, we honor and thank the millions of military veterans who dedicated themselves to the preservation and furtherance of this great nation and recognize one of our own Veterans who continues the call now as a Florida Harbor Pilot. On Monday, Key West Bar Pilot and former LtJg Marine Safety Inspector (11-year total combo U.S. Coast Guard Service Enlisted and Commissioned Officer) Captain Charles Zenter, received a Coast Guard Certificate of Merit for his professionalism and efficiency as the pilot that brought in the Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas cruise ship a few weeks ago at a moment’s notice to save a passenger’s life. We had the whole Key West Bar Pilot team there to witness and support as we could not be prouder of you — for so many reasons, Captain Zenter.”
— Florida Harbor Pilots Association, Port of Key West
Scott Lambert retired from Transocean after 24-year career in subsea engineering.
Gary Chase is the Commanding Officer of the USS Vicksburg (CG 69) and requested orders to become the next CO of the MMA NROTC Unit. Stay tuned…
Logan Snyder was recently selected to be the General Manager of Frisco Marina in Frisco, CO. At just over nine thousand feet elevation, Frisco boasts one of North America’s highest in-land marinas on the shores of Lake Dillon. Snyder lives in Dillon with his wife of 22 years, Deborah, and three sons who all enjoy the year-round recreation in the area from skiing to sailing.
Jason Alley is “lobstering in Jonesport USA!”
Share what you’ve been doing with your fellow alumni. Tell us about career changes, latest achievements, hobbies and adventures. Photos welcome. Submit Alumni News or Class Notes Now.