People
PAUL MERCER '73 LEAVES MMA TO HEAD MAINE DEP
environmental initiatives while at the academy.
In a letter of support for Mercer's nomination,
President William Brennan referred to Mercer as
"my closest confidant in managing the affairs of
the college for the past six years."
The Portland Press Herald also noted Brennan's
acknowledgment that Mercer "has an uncanny
ability to speak truth to power convincingly and
without alienation. You wil find Mr. Mercer to
be knowledgeable and confident. You wil find
him to be flexible and understanding in various
positions, firm when firmness is called for and
courteous and pleasant to work with."
After graduating from MMA with a BS in Ma-
rine Engineering, Mercer began his career as an
engineer aboard U.S. merchant vessels. He later
founded and was Principal of two engineering
firms in Maine with expertise in renewables, solid
fuels and biomass energy systems: Bay Engineer-
ing and Northeast Engineering.
"Education wil become a key initiative at
DEP," said Mercer. Among other initiatives "For
example, we wil be developing plans for outreach
Former MMA senior administrator, Paul Mercer
Engineering Department, Director of Alumni
to 5th and 6th grade girls and boys throughout
'73 was unanimously confirmed by the Maine
Relations and Assistant to the President for Sus-
Maine in hopes to educate them on the mission
State Senate on January 20, 2016 to become Com-
tainability. He also served interim roles in various
of DEP and environmental stewardship. They
missioner of the Department of Environmental
positions of leadership when staff changes in
wil , in turn, reinforce those principles with their
Protection.
2014 and 2015 created the need for direction and
teachers and parents."
At Maine Maritime, Mercer held faculty and
cohesion in Advancement and Operations. He
staff positions as Associate Professor, Chair of the
was instrumental in promoting innovation and
IAMPE EDUCATION DIRECTOR RECEIVES COMMANDANT AWARD
Capt. Jeffrey Monroe '76, Director of Education
tion Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
and Training for the International Association of
Rulemaking and Homeland Security needs and
Maritime and Port Executives (IAMPE) has been
expertise related to national maritime security,
awarded the Meritorious Public Service Award
among other work. This is the fourth time he has
and Medal by the Commandant of the U.S. Coast
been recognized by the Coast Guard. He also
Guard. Monroe was presented the award at his
served as an advisor to the Commandant on nav-
final meeting as Chairman of the Secretary of
igation safety and has been an advisor to federal
Homeland Security's National Maritime Security
government agencies for more than 20 years.
Advisory Committee in December. He was cited
"We are also pleased to announce that he wil
for "notable services that have assisted greatly
assist [IAMPE] with setting international stan-
in furthering the aims and functions of the U.S.
dards for the training and certification of mar-
Coast Guard."
itime and port executives," said David Arnold,
Capt. Monroe was appointed Chair of the
Executive Director of the IAMPE. Capt. Monroe
committee in 2009 by the Secretary of Homeland
is a senior port and maritime consultant and
Security. He, along with the committee, was
manages the association's program for the profes-
instrumental in the development of Transporta-
sional development of senior port executives.
Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Monroe
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MARINER / 2016 - ISSUE 1

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