Brian Grenham is a field engineer for General Electric and lives in Winthrop, Maine.

David Wesner is an operator for Hammett Boat, Inc., of Newport, R.I., and lives in Little Compton, R.I., with wife, Johanna.

Capt. Greg E. Baker turned over command of Amphibious Squadron 11 to Capt. Kelly T. Fletcher in a ceremony aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18), June 10. A prior Navy cryptologic technician, Baker joined the Navy in 1983 and commissioned after graduating from the Maine Maritime Academy in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in Ocean Studies. He served aboard USS Anchorage (LSD 36), USS Enterprise (CVN 65), and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), in addition to commanding the Amphibious Squadron 11 staff. He was the executive officer of USS San Antonio (LPD 17), the commanding officer of USS Arlington (LPD 24), and both XO and CO of USS Wasp (LHD 1). Baker’s tour as the commodore of Amphibious Squadron 11 included major exercises and operations for seven ships and embarked elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, including Talisman Sabre (TS) 21, Large Scale Global Exercise (LSGE) 21, Cobra Gold 22 and Balikatan 22, as well as bilateral cooperative deployments with the Japan Maritime Self- Defense Force (JMDSF), the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal Netherlands Navy, and the British Royal Navy’s UK Carrier Strike Group (CSG-21) led by HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08). “This team, despite everything it had stacked against it, COVID or otherwise, did tremendous things across Seventh Fleet,” said Baker. “I sincerely believe that we were able to demonstrate to the region, specifically, and the world writ large, that the Forward Deployed Naval Forces Japan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are a ready force, truly able to bring decisive combat power to our enemy at the time and place of our choosing. This team, combined with our partner nations, stands ready to defeat any aggressor or provide assistance anywhere in the region to those in need.”

Baker cultivated a strong relationship with the JMSDF’s Amphibious and Mine Warfare Force, Landing Division 1, building a foundation for an enduring partnership and reassuring bilateral presence, operating interchangeably on a regular basis aboard each other’s platforms. Fletcher previously served as the commanding officer of USS Essex (LHD 2).

Upon command of Amphibious Squadron 11, Capt. Fletcher said, “My goal is to lead this great staff, this team, the entire ARG and all their leaders, with that gut, guile, and imagination we need to succeed. To everyone here, I absolutely look forward to working with you.” A prior Navy electronics technician, Fletcher enlisted in the Navy in 1986 and later graduated from the University of Arizona and received her commission through the Enlisted Commissioning Program in 1997. She served at sea aboard USS Paul F. Foster (DD 964), USS Milius (DDG 69), USS Tortuga (LSD 46), USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) and USS Vella Gulf (CG 72). She was the executive officer and commanding officer of USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and served on the staff of Carrier Strike Group 10.

Chad Friend reports that he is currently working as a senior dynamic positioning officer at Noble Corp., an offshore drilling company, and continuing to build a ranch and meat processing business in eastern Tennessee.

Rob Cody was recently promoted to senior capital project manager at ND Paper in Old Town, Maine. Cody lives in Milford.

Sean Varney and family have moved back to Maine. Varney is an engineering consultant for Strategic Maintenance Solutions, Inc., in Gorham, and has assumed the duties of Class Agent. His wife, Rhonda, has resumed her position as executive assistant to the MMA President. They live in Bucksport with sons Dylan (15) and Tyler (12).

Matt Burns was named executive director of the Maine Port Authority in May 2022. Burns spent 13 years as a deck officer in the maritime industry and joined the Maine Department of Transportation in 2017 as the director of ports and marine transportation. The Maine Port Authority plans, develops, maintains, and promotes port and intermodal facilities across the state to stimulate commerce and enhance the global competitiveness for the future wealth and prosperity of Maine.

Marcus von Spiegelfeld recently left his position at Transocean as captain and offshore installation manager to take a position with Crowley Offshore Wind Services as the vessel operations manager. In his new position, he will be working with offshore wind developers to provide marine solutions for the development of offshore wind farms.