Class Notes

1953
William Rausch reports that he “still rides a bicycle, but no tall ladders.”
1954
Tom Raymond was recently featured in The Lincoln County (Maine) News for his wood turning. At 92 years old, Raymond is producing some of the best work of his wood turning career. Almost every day, the retired engineer descends into his basement workshop in Damariscotta where he spends hours turning blocks of wood into bowls, wine stoppers, and anything else that strikes his fancy. Today, Raymond is a highly regarded artist and craftsman, but even after working at his art for more than a quarter century, he says he still thinks like an engineer. “I don’t think like an artist,” he said. “They’re the furthest thing from my life. Most of the artists I’ve seen and dealt with don’t have much common sense.”
1958
Manny Hallier states that he’s moved to Spring, Texas and resides at the Village of Woodlands.
1958
George Eric Miller lets us know that he and Nancy and first time great-grandparents! “MMA is my favorite of the colleges that I have attended, and I am most proud of being an MMA graduate.”
1962
Terry McKenney announces that he will be visiting Spain for three months this fall on his journey to learn the Spanish language in a full immersion program and on his return, he will be living in Sanford, N.C. McKenney is moving from Greenville, S.C.
1964
The Class of 1964 held a mini-muster this summer. Featured (l-r) are Perry Mattson, Charlie Weeks, Larry Wade, and Gene Silva.
1966
Surface Warfare Schools Command headquarters hosted a momentous occasion on July 18, 2025, as colleagues, family, and a host of distinguished guests gathered to celebrate the remarkable career of Capt. (Ret.) Floyston “Bud” Weeks. After dedicating over half a century to the United States Navy, both as a Surface Warfare Officer and as a civilian employee, Capt. Weeks embarked on a well-deserved retirement, leaving behind a legacy of exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment.
1975
George Millett sailed for 25 years on coastal tugs and for 15 years with Wheelabrator, Inc. He’s retired in New Hampshire and would love to hear from his classmates. (603) 359-6947
1978
Mark Nickerson shares a photo of the first American Flag LNG Tanker trading in America going from Texas to Puerto Rico. Going left to right: Chief Mate Jack Tragert ’15, 3rd Engineer Brody Hawthorne ’25, Chief Engineer (superintendent) Timothy Leclair ’02, Chief Engineer Mark Nickerson ’78, Cargo Engineer Ben Richards ’16 and 3rd Engineer Jace Chouinard ’24. Alumni crew not pictured: Chief Engineer Evan Park ’04, First Engineer Robert Mullarky ’92 and Cargo Engineer Andy McDermott ’10. Next trip to is Puerto Rico; CEO and owner of Crowley, Tom Crowley along with
Governor of Puerto Rico and CEO of charterers Naturgy will be visiting the vessel. This will likely be the start of American Flag LNG shipping great opportunities for maritime graduates to say the least. Hats off to Tom Crowley to put faith in American seafarers allowing a unique and first-time opportunity such as this.

1980
Stephen Steinberg expresses his gratitude as he prepares for his retirement after 45 years in the industry, with 38 of those years served with the legacy companies and National Grid. “I reflect on the many times we have come together as a team. Our collaboration, particularly in reference to the Alliance of National Grid contractors, has been vital in supporting our community and ensuring the reliability of the energy needs of our customers. Remember that the true scope of our service in the Energy Industry encompasses not just our customers, but also our families, friends, and the community that supports us. The education and safety of our families depend on the work we do.”
1983
JT Hall and Dan Rideout continue holding annual Roomie-versaries. We met with our spouses and JT brought his adult children to Greece and Istanbul this summer. They are planning a mini MMA gathering with Craig Moffett in October in the Norfolk, Va. area.
1984
Peter Russell was recently honored for more than 40 years of “distinguished service in human resources, leadership development, and organizational strategy,” by Coastal Counties Workforce, Inc. Over his career, Russell has worked for several companies in organizational development, human resources, leadership development, talent acquisition, performance management and other jobs. Russell was a member of the board of directors of Coastal Counties Workforce Inc. (CCWI) and vice chair for nearly 20 years. CCWI is one of three Local Workforce Development Boards in Maine, with its region consisting of the coastal counties of Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Cumberland and York. In a CCWI report, it is written, “We are proud to honor Peter as a recipient of this year’s Outstanding Service Award … Peter has dedicated his career to helping individuals and organizations grow….becoming a trusted HR leader across major industries – including energy, healthcare and technology. Peter has always brought integrity, compassion and excellence to his work … empowering others truly embodies the spirit of public service.” On Sept. 19, Russell received a personal letter from Senator Susan M. Collins congratulating him on his CCWI award. The letter, in part, reads “Your outstanding leadership and dedication to workforce development have earned you this recognition. I applaud your commitment to compassion and ethics in the workplace.”
1984
Dave Melin shares that classmate Mike Brown and his wife Robin from Maryland stopped to visit while on an RV tour of the country.
1984
Anthony Fraser and his son Connor design and build teardrop style campers together. After graduating from MMA, then being at sea, Anthony is happy to be working at home with his son. Fraser grew up in Stockton Springs and wanted to build campers because of happy childhood memories camping with his family on Sears Island. Connor is the perfect partner. He graduated from Universal Technical Institute in Massachusetts and works as a mechanic and crew chief on UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters for the National Guard. “Teardrop style campers,” says Anthony, “are smaller and more flexible than full-sized campers. They are easier to tow and they are easier to maneuver into a camping spot. Our campers are the square-drop shape, making the space inside more usable.”
1987
Greenville native and ardent angler Eric Ward recently iced a whopper of a Moosehead Lake brook trout that would turn out to be a 66-year lake record. The big brookie was 25 inches and tipped the scales at 7 lbs. 10 oz.! The previous lake record was a 7 lb. 8 oz. brook trout that was caught in 1959. Born and raised in Greenville, Ward is about as devoted to his hunting and fishing avocation as a man can be. A merchant mariner for 30 years and a married man with daughters, the outdoors has been in his blood since childhood.

Although much of his retirement time is tied up by his outdoor pursuits, Ward, a Maine Guide, still has found time to serve as a County Commission and serve on the MDIF&W Advisory Council. With the help of a state legislator, he has also gotten behind legislation this winter that will increase the penalties for illegal bucket stocking of invasive fish into Maine’s sport fishery waters. An adventurer by nature, Ward will soon be on his way to the Arctic Circle to get in one last ice fishing trip before the spring melts way up North. Oh, and by the way, Ward’s record brookie will be mounted and hung in his home for all to see. And he had already given his perfect piscatorial prize a name: Neo.
Classes ‘81, ‘83, ‘87, ‘07, ’08
This past August 5 MMA Alumni crossed paths with one another at the 2025 DirtDaze Adventure Motorcycle Rally in North Haverhill, NH. From left to right: Jacob Bartol ’08, Ryan Michaud ’07, Pat Zrioka ’87, Peter Geissler ’83, & Ray Geissler ’81.
1989
CORE POWER is very pleased to announce that Jerald S Paul, RADM (Ret), USMS, has joined the company’s advisory board. Paul is an engineer, attorney, former college president and former governmental official serving at the federal, state and local levels. He served as a senior official at the US Department of Energy and at the National Nuclear Security Administration, serving as chief operating officer. Paul is a former US Coast Guard licensed marine engineer and served in the US Merchant Marine and Navy Reserve. He recently retired as President of Maine Maritime Academy and has been an active proponent and leader on global maritime decarbonization including deployment of mobile nuclear energy technology.
1990
Kevin Cameron shares that he’s started a new position as Superintendent Double Eagle Tankers at Fairwater.

1994
Randy Lessard is Naples, Maine’s new town manager.
1994
Phoenix International Holdings, Inc. announced that Scott Hansen has joined the company as Project Manager (PM) for the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Division. Hansen brings to Phoenix 20 years of experience in Marine Engineering and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), working in the research, scientific, biological, and oceanographic industries across the globe. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Engineering Technology from Maine Maritime Academy and spent six years in the merchant marine industry holding positions from Assistant Engineer to Superintendent Engineer.
1996
Jason Smith announced the grand reopening of the Houston Maritime Center and Museum. The nation’s largest and busiest port now has a museum that truly reflects the significance of the region’s maritime past, present, and future. He invites anyone in the area to come explore Houston’s maritime story, from the age of sail to modern shipping, and discover why Houston is “the town that built the port that built the city.”
1997
Captain Joe Curtis has been appointed Maid of the Mist Vice President of Operations. He will be overseeing a crew of maritime engineers, captains and mates, deckhands, guest services, and retail associates who operate one of North America’s longest continuously operating tourist attractions.
1999
Ben Dinsmore to lead Portland’s Casco Bay Lines island ferry as general manager and CEO. The Casco Bay Island Transit District provides passenger, vehicle and freight service seven days a week, year-round. The ferries transport more than 1 million passengers, 35,000 vehicles and over 500,000 pieces of freight annually. Dinsmore will guide the transit district through key initiatives, including fleet modernization, capital planning and continued service reliability.
2000
Captain Carrie Stewart and Captain Jay Stewart recently marked a significant career milestone with the arrival of Captain Carrie Stewart’s latest command into Charleston Harbor on October 18th, 2025 – piloted by none other than her husband. For over 23 years, Captain Carrie Stewart has served with Ocean Shipholdings, Inc., operating vessels under charter to the U.S. Military Sealift Command. In her most recent assignment, she has taken command of a newly built strategic sea lift vessel on its maiden voyage from the shipyard in San Diego around South America to Norfolk, Va. and finally Charleston. Upon arrival, the ship was piloted into port by her husband, Captain Jay Stewart – a moment that symbolized the culmination of two distinguished careers built side by side.

Captain Jay Stewart, a Charleston native, grew up on James Island and developed a lifelong passion for the water through sailing and fishing. After meeting Carrie at MMA in 1996, he went on to sail deep sea aboard clean product tankers and earned his Unlimited Master’s license in 2006. In 2007, he began his apprenticeship with the Charleston Branch Pilots Association, becoming a full branch pilot in 2013.
2002
Evan Hafford is the Vice President – Project Management and Estimating at Strategic PowerGen Solutions.
2003
Greg Lundy has been announced as the Vice President of Technology at V2X, Inc. In this role, Lundy will lead the company’s innovation and technology strategy, with a focus on advancing Independent Research and Development initiatives. Lundy brings more than 20 years of leadership experience at the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, and advanced network architectures. He joins V2X from Collins Aerospace and has also held senior roles with Sony, Booz Allen Hamilton, and the U.S. Navy.
2004
Captain Nicholas T. Walker was promoted to Captain May 1, 2025. He also completed Navy Postgrad program in Monterrey, Calif.
2010
Nick Pucello has joined Allen Insurance and Financial as a commercial lines producer, specializing in marine insurance. Pucello holds a bachelor’s degree in small vessel operations and a master’s degree in international logistics management, both from Maine Maritime Academy. Additionally, he holds a 1,600-ton USCG masters license and a property & casualty insurance license in the state of Maine. Pucello’s extensive experience in the marine industry includes work as a marine supply chain and logistics manager and as a yacht and tugboat captain.
2016
Sean Battles is the youngest Chief Engineer in NOAA history. He is the Chief on the NOAA ship FairWeather, home port: Ketchikan, Alaska. Also, Kristen Gier ’20 is his IAE.
2017
Fr. Erin Donlon and Cmdr. Larry Wade ’64 & ’15
2021
Korey DeBoth has started a new position as Dynamic Positioning Operator at Transocean.
2021
Emily Conway and Sam Sewall married May 2025!
2023
Lily Cook was recently featured in the MDI Islander, a newspaper based in Bar Harbor, Maine. Cook currently works as a 2nd mate onboard the HOS WOODLAND. Her work on the multiple purpose supply vessel includes a wide scope of tasks. “Different companies charter our boat for different jobs,” she explained. “One job could be taking thrusters off of a drill ship with our crane, another job could be a “FLOTEL” job (floating hotel), which is when we house contractors and send them up the oil and wind assets with our heave compensated gangway.” She shared her great appreciation for the maritime work that surrounded her upbringing. “I don’t think people realize how large the maritime industry is. It surrounds MDI,” Cook said. “The cruise ships, the private charter boats, the harbor pilots, the whale watch boats and the ferries — all of those people had to sit through some pretty extensive testing.”
2023
Andrew Haining is paving the way as the first participant in Cianbro’s Asset Management Leadership Development Program (AMLDP), which provides hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world experience for participants, who gain essential knowledge in asset evaluation, maintenance, and optimization.
2023
William LaBrecque of Southport just received his Second Assistant Engineer Certificate from the United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential. He is currently working at sea for a company called Stabbert Maritime. His job is 2nd Assistant Engineer on the vessel, Ocean Lee.