Class Notes

1946
At age 99, Dr. Barclay Shepard of Boothbay Harbor, ME, fulfilled a lifelong dream of publishing his memoir. Born in Boothbay Harbor, Maine in 1926, he and his family moved back to Turkey where his father worked as a doctor and served as the founder and medical director at the American Hospital in Gaziantep. Through the pages of his book, meet a Hollywood actor, a World War II spy, and world dignitaries. This memoir invites the reader to experience the world through the author’s transcontinental adventures and by all means of transportation possible (even pack mules). It is a fascinating glimpse into a life well lived. “A Surgeon’s Slice of Life” culminates service to country and community with a keen sense of family and self.
1962
James Barr writes, “I returned to the hi-seas at the age of 49, sailing for union M.E.B.A. District 1. I completed twenty years of service, retiring at the age of 70 years with a nice retirement. It was during this period I raised my license to Chief Engineer, however, I was never able to sail on that license because the merchant marines had been reduced in capacity of U.S. registered ships. In addition, U.S. registered ships were outsourced to foreign shipyards for their annual overhauls and maintenance. This I can attest to because I obtained a job thru the union flying to Singapore to crew a ship returning from the foreign overhauls. So, upon retiring I resolved myself to write about the plight of the merchant marine, and to do this task I returned to MMA and obtained a Master’s Degree in Logistics and a doctoral degree (PhD) from the University of Phoenix in Business Administration. My dissertation “Globalization and the U.S. Maritime divergence; an Explanatory Case Study” is available on Google Scholar. You should read it, you might learn something.”
1964
Class of ’64 representative presenting the classmate Gene Silva Award at the Regimental Awards Ceremony this April! (l-r) Paul Manning, Deanna Wade, and Larry Wade.
1971
A Memorable MMA Day at Black Mountain in western Maine for the Class of 1971 plus one from 1972! Left to right; Peter Longley, Maynard Russell, Doug Schweers, Ed Rosenberg ’72, Dana Grant and Roger Arsenault.
1972
Mike Taylor ’72E and Jim Michaud ’86E, seen “crushing it like Quint” at camp in Acton, Maine.
1978 & 2013
Classes of 1978 and 2013 leave MMA mark. Pictured are (l-r) Alan Joseph ’78, John Joseph ’13 and Capt. Mike Marzolf ’78, leaving their MMA mark (see second photo) at Sundowners at Green Turtle Cay in the Bahamas.
1978
A few members of the Class of 1978 got together in Portland to catch up. (l-r) Scott Porter, Steve Stilphen, Steve Berry, Erik Elliott, Brad Goulet, Dave Baker and Michael Gagnon.
1979
Captain John W. Murray has been named as a Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey (MAPONY/NJ) 32nd International Maritime Hall of Fame (IMHOF) honoree. Captain John W. Murray is the Chief Executive Officer of the Canaveral Port Authority. With nearly five decades of experience, Cpt. Murray has held senior leadership roles at Hapag-Lloyd USA, CP Ships, and
Lykes Bros. Steamship Company. Since taking the helm at Port Canaveral in 2016, he has overseen nearly $1 billion in capital improvements, tripling revenues to a record $218 million in 2025. An MMA graduate and U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain, Cpt. Murray is a prominent advocate for the Jones Act and the Maritime Security Program, and has testified before the U.S. Congress on cargo preference and maritime security.
1981
Casco Bay Chapter President Earl Bergeron ’81 presents a check to Andrew Ochsner of Living to L.A.S.T., a non-profit group that repairs home for needy people in Maine and New Hampshire. This check was the result of the donations made at the Christmas Party in December.

1981
Leo Hill has written a book, “Why; Earth 2278”, a futuristic compelling Sci-Fi thriller that weaves in a story of love, friendship, and the human will to survive a world war of apocalyptic scale. It’s available online.
1984
Daniel Thompson announces that he has retired after 41 years of maritime employment.
1985
Jonathan Streett has been appointed to the Harford (MD) County Board of Education. County Executive Cassilly expressed confidence in his appointment of Mr. Streett, citing both his deep roots in the community and his extensive leadership experience. “I am honored by the opportunity to serve the students, families, and educators of Harford County,” Streett said. “Public education is the foundation of our community, and I look forward to working collaboratively to ensure our schools continue to provide high-quality opportunities for every student.”
1986
Mike “Tank” Taylor ’86 (second from left) recently toured the New England Renewable Power (NERP), Tamworth NH Biomass power plant. Fellow alumni working at the plant are (l-r) Shawn Holt ’19, Control Room Operator, Kyle Michael ’86, the Director of Biomass Plants at NERP, and Brian McArthur ’01, Tamworth Plant Manager. Taylor is retired from the Seabrook Nuclear Plant.
1988
Eric Smith shared a photo of 43 years of friendship. The group had one of the most memorable weekends in a very long time and it was the first time all five of them had been together since 1987.
(l-r) Erick Smith, Pat Duffy, Tim Reid, Steve Moglia, Tom Lord.
1988
Tom Lord, Captain John Murray, CEO of Port Canaveral, and Eric Smith had the distinct pleasure of connecting with FMC Chairman Laura DiBella at the SEATRADE Convention on April 14th. Laura’s
appointment by President Trump underscores the importance of domestic maritime policy and the critical need for top-quality mariners. She is leading the FMC to unprecedented heights.
1988
Six past and current leaders of the American Merchant Marine Veterans, Inc. (AMMV) received the prestigious Merchant Marine Medal for Outstanding Achievement, including two MMA alums. This medal is the third highest award for U.S. Merchant Mariners. These volunteer AMMV leaders, all post-WWII era merchant mariners who served in AMMV’s national officer positions between 2015-2025, include Capt. Dru DiMattia ’88 and Capt. Darin Huggins ’02. Both have spent decades serving in the maritime industry, and are connected with various prominent maritime institutions. The most notable outstanding accomplishment of this distinguished group of AMMV leaders was the grassroots efforts behind passage of the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-125), which was signed into law in 2020.
1989
Capt. Kurt Kastner retired as a USN Captain after 31 years of active duty, two afloat commands (USS WASP LHD 1 and USS SAN ANTONIO LPD 17), and one shore command (Engineering Assessments, ATLANTIC). Kastner is currently working for Chip Callan (MMA 88) at his and his wife’s business, Invictus Assoc, LLC as a VP and Senior Program Manager for the PSS Support Contract for Commander Navy Regional Maintenance Centers (CNRMC) in Norfolk, VA. Kastner resides with his new bride of two years in Moyock, NC.
1989
Ron Droop is Moran Towing’s senior vice president, managing the US company’s vessel manoeuvring and docking operations in ports along the US East and Gulf Coasts. He joined the Connecticut-headquartered owner after graduating from Maine Maritime Academy with a degree in marine transport in 1989 and has risen up the ranks to become one of the most senior and experienced people in the company. In November 2025, Droop discussed his experiences and lessons learned from managing fleets of towboats, tank barges, offshore towage and harbour tugs through his long career with International Tug & Salvage with Riviera. https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/lessons-from-a-life-in-towage-morans-ron-droop-87225

1992
Hank Stewart ’92 and Navneet Jain ’06 try out their retirement gifts from MMA in December 2025.
1993
It’s been a heck of a ride from Castine to the Caribbean! After graduating from MMA, Matthew Peterson spent over 20 years in Non-Destructive Testing and weld inspection in New England;
inspecting boilers, climbing cell towers, inspecting bridges, and earning my AWS CWI and ASNT Level III credentials along the way. Turns out “finding things that are broken before they break catastrophically” is a marketable skill.

Then in 2020, he traded Connecticut winters for the Caribbean sun and hasn’t looked back. Peterson is now the Health & Safety Officer for one of the island’s major development companies.

Outside of work, Peterson is a CERT Team volunteer with the Cayman Islands’ Hazard Management unit, and enjoys spending my time in, on, or under the water.

If any fellow Mariners are passing through, he’d love to catch up and swap some tales over a few sundowners!
1993
The class society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has appointed a new chairman and chief executive officer.

The ABS board of directors has elected John McDonald as the new chairman and CEO of ABS. In the culmination of a well-planned succession process, McDonald, the serving ABS president and chief operating officer, took over on January 1, 2026, when the present ABS chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki, retired. McDonald said: “I am honored to lead this remarkable organization. I do so with deep respect for the legacy of technical excellence and steadfast commitment to safety that has guided ABS for more than 160 years. Building on this foundation and supported by a world-class team of professionals across the globe, I look forward to advancing our mission and continuing our journey of growth, innovation, and impact into the future. I am excited to begin.”
Serving in various frontline roles around the world. He led the former ABS divisions in Europe and the Pacific, held operational leadership roles including senior vice president of the Western Hemisphere Survey Operations and senior vice president of Global Business Development, before becoming chief operating officer and president. McDonald has a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering from Maine Maritime Academy and an MBA from Texas A&M University.
1996
Mikhail Albuseiri has been a licensed Michigan attorney since 1997, specializing in appellate law. In February 2026, he was reappointed to the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission where he currently serves. Albuseiri holds a law degree cum laude from the Michigan State University College of Law.
1998
Joshua Collamer, 98E recently returned to the States after three years of active duty with the Navy in the United Kingdom, where he served as the U.S. Sixth Fleet Liaison Officer to NATO’s Allied Maritime Command. His recall to active duty was a rewarding experience, and his family embraced the opportunity to live overseas. Now happily settled in Southlake, Texas, Collamer has resumed his civilian role with the U.S. Air Force on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program, which has brought the family to the Fort Worth area.
2000
Erik Blomqvist graduated with a Master’s in Logistics under Dr. Donna Fricke in 2000. He went to sea at age 18 and has mainly worked on heavy RoRo’s in European trade and on more specialized PCTC RoRo’s in international trade. In 2006, he went ashore and has been in various shipping-related positions. Since 2025, Blomqvist has been stationed in Singapore as head of Wallenius Marine Singapore, a Swedish and Singapore based ship manager of PCTS’s in global trade. Blomqvist misses Castine, where he also met his wife, and hopes to visit one day again. Benjamin Robertson has been named as General Manager, Gas Engine Business at Siemens Energy. Robertson joined the company in 2016 and has worked in roles such as business development, service operations, and long-term program sales. Before joining Siemens Energy, he held leadership positions in operations, corporate counsel, supply chain management, and applications engineering at various OEMs.
2002
The Maine Crew north bound Mississippi River, on the ATB Brownsville. (l-r) Captain Sean Eager ’02, Deck Cadet Ava Snyder ’27, C/M Winston Pfotenhauer ’14, 1 A/E Dylan Hahn ’14, 2/M Thomas Davis ’19, 2 A/E Anthony Bonin (Hawsepiper who lives in Maine), C/E Matt McLaughlin ’95.
2005
Andrew Strosahl has joined Farrell Smith O’Connell Of Counsel. Farrell Smith O’Connell is a full-service law firm with a focus on maritime, admiralty, and general civil litigation and represents individuals, small to large businesses, national and international corporations, governmental entities, as well as not-for-profits.
2006
Cmdr. Patrick Earls was relieved as USS Cooperstown (LCS 23) Commanding Officer during a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Mayport, November 21st. Cmdr. Earls is a plankowner who has been a part of USS Cooperstown since the beginning. During this time, he participated in the ship’s first landmark occasions including Sail-around through the Great Lakes, Commissioning in New York City, and the rescue at sea of a civilian mariner in the Atlantic Ocean. Cmdr. Earls has held the title of Commanding Officer since February of 2024 and is heading off to Allied Maritime Command Head Quarters in London, United Kingdom.
2013
Oscar Adams ’13 married Kaitlyn Anne Badlato March 21st, 2026 in a ceremony at the University of Virginia Chapel in Charlottesville, VA. The couple met in 2022 and live in Arlington,
VA. They were engaged at Dyce’s Head Lighthouse in March 2024. Standing behind Oscar on his wedding day was his best friend Thomas Houle IBL ’13. Oscar is currently a Senior Consultant in Deloitte’s Enterprise Performance practice and his wife is a Medical Architect with HKS, based out of Washington, D.C.
2014
Greg Baribault has been appointed as President of Enstructure Northeast. This division provides dry bulk, liquid bulk, and breakbulk services to major markets in the Northeast and Canada. Baribault will oversee operations and commercial activities at the New Haven, New London, and Montville terminals. “I’m honored by this opportunity and proud to advance my career at Enstructure,” said Baribault. “I look forward to serving the Northeast region and supporting Enstructure’s mission to deliver essential materials and goods to the nation’s economy, while focusing on innovative supply chain solutions for our customers.”
2016
Tim Grant, MEO 2016 promoted to Lieutenant Commander, USN. LCDR Grant is serving as the Combat Systems Officer onboard the USS Nantucket (LCS-27).
2020
Nicholas DePatsy has been working as a basketball referee in Maine while also working at Strategic Maintenance Solutions, a company comprised of industrial solutions advisers. Joshua Reeds shared on LinkedIn that he has a new role as a Facilities Engineer II at Abzena. He states that his early career was full of demanding environments, strong teams, and significant responsibility. Owning critical systems and supporting high-reliability operations shaped how he approaches engineering, accountability, and leadership. Reeks is looking forward to growing and applying the above mindset in a GMP manufacturing environment as I step into the biotech/biopharma space, supporting operations that ultimately impact patients’ lives.
2025
Owen Brown was recently featured in a Saltchuk publication about how he came to learn about a career in shipping.

Every summer, Brown’s family spent long days chasing salmon on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. “As much as I enjoyed the fishing, I quickly found driving the boat was much more fun,” he said. “That’s when I got hooked. I knew I wanted to find a way to make a living on the water, driving boats. ”At 15, Brown joined the Sea Scouts aboard the Propeller, a 65-foot former Army “T” boat commanded by Captain Al Bruce, a former Foss Maritime employee. Today, Brown is a Foss mariner himself — the program gave him something invaluable: direction.

Read more: https://www.saltchuk.com/from-sea-scout-to-third-mate-how-owen-brown-found-his-calling-on-puget-sound-tugs/