Scott Futcher ’89, MMA alumni contact for the Houston area, has been temporarily assigned to Anchorage, AK for the next couple of years. Sherri Hickman ’85 (pictured right) has stepped in to assume chapter responsibilities. Her first official function was attending a small gathering of alumni at the Hilton Americas on November 4. Also in attendance was Oliver Ferguson ’81, Kelly Griffith ’94, Jeff Ivory ’95, Billy Griffith ’98 and wife Jennifer Horner Griffith ’99, and Don McBride ’05. Jeff Wright, MMA Alumni Relations Director, updated the group on MMA activities and represented MMA at a STEM college fair at University of Houston the following day.

The two area chapters held a combined meeting at the Dockside Grill, Falmouth on November 2. Fifty alumni and friends were entertained by featured speaker Bill Haggett, CEO of Pineland Farms and past president and CEO of BIW. Dan McNeely, MMA’s new men’s basketball coach, was introduced to the group and gave an update on the 2017 -18 Mariner basketball team.

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The chapter hosted a recent luncheon, reports Juan Molino ’89 (shown left; others l-r) Peter Podest ’91, Cesar Achurra ’90, Gary Watson ’90, Mario Pantoja ’89, Frank Samudio ’92 and Ricardo Cuellar ’17. All have served in the field, in special projects, as training officers or heads of departments. See more about MMA and the Canal in Alumni in Key Roles in the Panama Canal.

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Andrew Strosahl ’05 reports 17 alumni from MMA, Mass, SUNY, Cal, and Kings Point attended a gathering at the Bluejacket on November 15. Richard “Dick” Balzano ’89 was introduced as the new MARAD Deputy Maritime Administrator. He highlighted challenges facing the maritime industry and his action items for his office. Alumni from the other academies were very thankful for the invitation to the event. Due to the success of the gathering, Strosahl believes the group will be able to arrange for a private room for events held in the future and plans are to continue to invite other state maritime academy alumni.

Three maritime alumni chapter presidents had a chance to converse at a recent Ports of Philadelphia Maritime Society Dinner: MMA DelBay president Capt. John Gazzola ’82 (right), John Brennan, Kings Point and Capt. Art Sulzer, SUNY Maritime College.