Today’s maritime world is fraught with change, challenges, and unintended consequences. Join your industry colleagues, regulators, educators and students as we examine “Leaping into the Future: Challenges and Consequences in Maritime Operations." We will offer information and collaboration on the elements of decarbonization and digitalization, workforce development, and more of today’s greatest challenges. Developing Agenda 1200: Networking Luncheon 1245: Welcome - Captain Matt Glass, Second Officer, Houston Pilots Opening Remarks - Joe Hughes, Chairman of The American Club and Chairman of NAMEPA 1300: Keynote Speaker Challenges and Consequences 1330: Regulatory Challenges and Consequences - Moderator: Meghan Reilly, Education and Outreach Manager, NAMEPA - Keith Letourneau,Partner, Blank Rome
- Captain Keith Donohue, Sector Commander Houston-Galveston, USCG
- Captain Matt Glass, Second Officer, Houston Pilots
- Alejandro Trillo, CEO, Maritime Procurement Services
1415: Future Fuels Challenges and Consequences - Choices, supply, and more - Moderator: Lyn Harris, Chief Operating Officer, NAMEPA - Onur Semiz, Principal Engineer, ABS Technology
- Vineet Plaha, Sr. Manager Strategy & Business Performace, Chevron
- Darren Shelton, VP and Co-Founder, FuelTrust
- Darwin Telemaque, CEO, Antigua Port Authority
1500: Coffee Break 1530: Digitalization Challenges and Consequences - Benefits and opportunities - David Cummins, President & CEO, Blue Sky Maritime Coalition
Workforce Challenges and Consequences - Houston, we have a problem! - Moderator: Molly Dushay, Education and Outreach Director, NAMEPA - Jacqueline Young, Maritime Education Outreach Manager, Port Houston
- John Hark, Faculty Texas A&M Galveston and Regional Director, Bertling Logistics
Geopolitical Challenges and Consequences - Carleen Lyden Walker, Managing Partner, The Maritime Accelerator for Resilience (“MAR”) Author, Zero Point Four Happenings in Houston - Leslie Brown, Executive Director, Houston Maritime Center and Museum
- Molly Dushay, NAMEPA Region Director
- Lyn Harris, Cheif Operating Officer NAMEPA
1645: Closing Remarks - Joe Hughes, Chairman of NAMEPA and The American Club MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY! 
Carleen Lyden Walker, CEO, NAMEPA, Managing partner, The Maritime Accelerator Resilience ("MAR") Author, Zero Point Four Carleen Lyden Walker is the Co-Founder and CEO of NAMEPA (North American Marine Environment Protection Association) leveraging off her experience as a marketing and communications professional in the commercial maritime industry with over 40 years of experience. In 2015, Ms. Walker was appointed a Goodwill Maritime Ambassador by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). She is a member of WISTA (Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association), The National Press Club, WIMAC (Women in Maritime Association, Caribbean) and is a Past-President of the Propeller Club Chapter of the Port of NY/NJ. She was also elected to the Board of Trustees of the Tall Ships Foundation and Northeast Maritime Institute and has been consistently listed in the top 100 global maritime women. Ms. Walker is also Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Marketing & Communications, Chief Evolution Officer for SHIPPINGInsight. In 2010, she was awarded the Certificate of Merit by the United States Coast Guard and in 2014 a Public Service Commendation for her work on World Maritime Day and AMVER, respectively. Ms. Walker graduated from Wellesley College with a BA in Political Science and History (minor in Economics) and studied Accounting at Cornell School of Business Administration. She held a USCG Captain’s license. 
Darren Shelton, VP & Co-Founder, FuelTrust Darren Shelton is a 23-year veteran of the maritime industry having managed multiple shipping agencies, serving as lead auditor in ISO quality management systems and is presently tasked with overseeing the data team for one of the largest national maritime companies along with driving their digital initiatives. He studied at Stephen F. Austin State University and Hope International University. Darren is a board member of the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee, the Alvin-Manvel Area Chamber of Commerce and several other community organizations. 
David Cummins, President & CEO, Blue Sky Maritime Coalition David Cummins is President of the Blue Sky Maritime Coalition, a non-profit, strategic alliance formed to accelerate the transition of waterborne transportation in Canada and the United States toward net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Prior to his current role, Cummins worked as an executive with Shell with more than 35 years’ experience covering many locations around the world as well as many diverse businesses and skill areas. Cummins was Shell’s Commercial and Business Development Manager for Shipping & Maritime, Americas, and before that served as Vice President of Shell Korea Limited, managing relationships with Korean shipyards and heavy industry. Cummins previously contributed to Shell’s success in technical management, global strategy development, commercial deal making, new business development, strategic customer account management, divestment and portfolio deal teams, capital project planning & execution, and change management/corporate redesign. Cummins is a frequent speaker with various organizations on topics including Shipping Sectoral Decarbonization, Global/International Account Management, Strategy Development, Negotiation/Deal Making and Cultural Differences between Western and Asian Countries. In his personal time Cummins is an avid golfer and photographer and is also sole proprietor of a timber tract operations company in the US. 
Joe Hughes, Chairman of NAMEPA and The American Club Joe has served as chairman of the managers of The American Club, an International Group mutual, for nearly twenty-nine years. Joe also oversees the activities of Eagle Ocean Agencies, Inc., an affiliate of SCB, which operates the Eagle Ocean Marine and Eagle Ocean America insurance facilities. In addition, he is a director both the American Club itself and its European subsidiary based in Cyprus. In addition to his chairmanship of NAMEPA, Joe is president of the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey, a director of NYMAR and also sits on committees of the American Bureau of Shipping and Lloyd’s Register of Shipping. 
John Hark, Faculty Texas A&M Galveston and Regional Director, Bertling Logistics John has been in the Houston maritime industry for 30+ years and holds a Bachelor of Science in Maritime Administration from Texas A&M. He started with Bertling in 2002 as Director of North America Vessel Operations. After moving to Bertling’s logistics division, he held various management roles within North and South America. He is currently the North America Regional Director. He has also been an Adjunct Professor with Texas A&M University since 2002. Active in various industry and education initiatives, John is the current President of the Houston Maritime Arbitrators Association, sits on advisory councils for Lone Star College, Houston Community College, TSU and San Jacinto College and is a board member of the Port Houston Partners in Maritime Education nonprofit organization. In April 2020, he founded the Houston Supply Chain/Logistics Education Collective to proactively minimize the logistics industry talent gap and foster industry relationships with educators and students in the Greater Houston region. 
Captain Keith Donohue, Sector Commander Houston-Galveston, USCG Joe has served as chairman of the managers of The American Club, an International Group mutual, for nearly twenty-nine years. Joe also oversees the activities of Eagle Ocean Agencies, Inc., an affiliate of SCB, which operates the Eagle Ocean Marine and Eagle Ocean America insurance facilities. In addition, he is a director both the American Club itself and its European subsidiary based in Cyprus. In addition to his chairmanship of NAMEPA, Joe is president of the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey, a director of NYMAR and also sits on committees of the American Bureau of Shipping and Lloyd’s Register of Shipping. 
Keith Letourneau, Partner, Blank Rome Keith’s government contract experience includes shipyard bid protests, labor standards disputes, and appeals of contracting officers’ final decisions before boards of contract, as well as solicitation and bid reviews and evaluations. He has also defended document-intensive shipyard and oil rig repair contract disputes. He is co-chair of the Firm’s Blockchain Working Group. He has published recent articles about the industry, specifically as it relates to maritime matters, and presented on Blockchain issues at the Firm’s Litigation Department CLE program in Philadelphia in November 2017. Keith served as a trial attorney for both the U.S. Coast Guard’s Procurement Law Division and the Admiralty Section of the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Division. He is a retired commander of the U.S. Coast Guard. His military service included assignments as a deck watch officer aboard a medium-endurance cutter that engaged in drug law enforcement efforts in the Caribbean Basin and as commanding officer of a Coast Guard patrol boat stationed along the southeast Texas coast. Keith is a member of the Order of the Coif, an honorary academic society that recognizes law students, teachers, judges, and lawyers for their scholarly or professional achievements. Keith is ranked by Chambers USA for his work in shipping litigation matters, which notes that clients describe him as a “very steady and thoughtful attorney” and that he is “very studious, measured and looks at the overall structure of a case, and what may happen several steps down the road. 
Lyn Harris Chief Operating Officer, NAMEPA Lyn is an astute business operations and project director focused on strengthening cross functional teams to improve process efficiency, increase program effectiveness and develop stakeholder engagement. Over 20 years in operations management in the maritime industry focusing on staff management and process improvement. Over the past 11 years as Chief Operating Officer, Lyn has focused on education program development and deployment to underserved communities including workforce development. Deployment of the programming includes relationship building with small to large organizations on a local and global basis. Lyn is proficient in operations management, business planning and development, staff management, process improvement, customer relationship management, financial management. 
Captain Matt Glass, Second Officer, Houston Pilots Captain Matthew Glass has been in the maritime industry for over 20 years and is currently the Second Officer for the Houston Pilots Executive Committee. As a member of the executive committee, he is responsible for overseeing the business and channel operations of one of the busiest pilot associations in the country. He has been an active pilot on the Houston Ship Channel for 13 years. Prior to receiving his commission as a pilot, he worked for various commercial enterprises operating tanker vessels that serviced ports in the East, West, and Gulf Coasts of the United States. He graduated from Texas A&M Galveston in 2003. Captain Glass is married with two children, residing in The Woodlands, TX. 
Meghan Reilly, Education and Outreach Manager, NAMEPA Meghan Reilly has a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science Safety and Environmental Protection with a minor in Marine Biology from Massachusetts Maritime Academy. With NAMEPA, Meghan oversees the MARPOL Webinar Series, Sea Safety Series, educational materials, and career development projects, as well as collaborating on other educational projects. Her passions include ocean education, sailing, and boating. 
Molly Dushay Education and Outreach Director, Regions Director NAMEPA Equipped with her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Master of Art degree in Teaching from Sacred Heart University, Molly has established herself as a dedicated science educator. Molly’s deep-rooted passion for marine and environmental science was sparked in her youth growing up on Long Island Sound. In her role as MPSEC Director, she leads the strategic efforts to promote maritime education in our nation’s primary and secondary schools through partnerships and resource sharing. As the Education & Outreach Director for the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), Molly spearheads NAMEPA’s education and outreach initiatives around public and student environmental stewardship and marine environmental awareness for maritime personnel. With a primary focus on developing and implementing comprehensive programs, she engages participants on mission-driven initiatives, grant-based projects, and informative programs in collaboration with diverse audiences including the public, students, and both shoreside and offshore maritime personnel. Molly is also a secondary science teacher and Adjunct Professor at Sacred Heart University.  ABS, a leading global provider of classification and technical advisory services to the marine and offshore industries, is committed to setting standards for safety and excellence in design, construction and operation. Focused on the safe and practical application of advanced technologies and digital solutions, ABS works with industry and clients to provide solutions that drive sustainability, optimize performance and increase operational efficiency for marine and offshore assets.
From its world headquarters in Houston, ABS delivers survey, engineering and advisory services and solutions to clients through a network of local representatives.  The American Club’s mission is to provide its Members with a broad and financially secure range of P&I and related insurance services which most effectively meet the imperatives of their day-to-day business and which are delivered in an attentive, efficient, courteous and focused manner. April 2023 Newsletter.
Blank Rome Maritime is one of the largest maritime practice groups in the United States and is supported by an even broader Transportation Industry Group that brings considerable depth and experience to the myriad litigation, regulatory and transactional issues facing the maritime industry. With more than 650 attorneys serving clients across the globe, Blank Rome represents businesses and organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-up entities around the globe. Blank Rome helps its clients in all aspects of their businesses. The Firm’s practices cover areas including business tax; commercial and corporate litigation; employment benefits and labor; financial services; bankruptcy and financial restructuring; government relations; health law; intellectual property; maritime; international trade; government contracts; matrimonial; privately held and emerging companies; product liability; public companies and capital formation; public finance; real estate; trusts and estates; and white collar, internal and government investigations. Blank Rome also represents pro bono clients in a wide variety of cases and matters. For more information, go to www.blankrome.com. “Law Firm of the Year” in Admiralty & Maritime Law in U.S. News – Best Lawyers® 2023. View the September issue of Blank Rome Maritime's newsletter, Mainbrace.  Cargill’s ocean transportation is a leading freight-trading business which provides bulk shipping services to customers across the globe. Founded in 1956, Cargill commands the highest level of operational expertise which ensures the sustainable and efficient management of its 650-strong fleet. Cargill has a unique market perspective able to combine first-class operations with expert trading in both physical and financial freight markets.
 Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. We believe affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner energy is essential to enabling human progress. Chevron produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and develops technologies that enhance our business and the industry. We aim to grow our traditional oil and gas business, lower the carbon intensity of our operations and grow new lower carbon businesses in renewable fuels, hydrogen, carbon capture, offsets and other emerging technologies. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.
 DNV is the world’s leading classification society and a recognized advisor for the maritime industry. We enhance safety, quality, energy efficiency and environmental performance of the global shipping industry – across all vessel types and offshore structures. We invest heavily in research and development to find solutions, together with the industry, that address strategic, operational or regulatory challenges.
 Dorian LPG is a liquefied petroleum gas shipping company and a leading owner and operator of modern VLGCs. Dorian LPG currently owns and operates 22 modern VLGCs. Dorian LPG has offices in Connecticut, USA, London, United Kingdom and Athens, Greece.
 Fairfield Chemical Carriers is committed to being the chemical tanker operator of choice in its selected markets; to providing its customers with top quality and reliable service – creative, proactive, and always client focused; to maintaining the highest standards for safety and efficiency in the operation of its fleet; and, above all, to conducting all its activities professionally, ethically and in a socially responsible manner. Brochure.
 HudsonAnalytix is a US-based international business risk solutions company providing expertise and support to the world's leading commercial shipping, ports and terminals, oil and gas, finance, insurance, manufacturing, and government sectors. HudsonAnalytix provides risk management solutions to the maritime sector galvanized by more than 30 years’ experience. Our comprehensive services, global insight, and depth of experience enable our clients to meet their regulatory, commercial and operational needs efficiently, effectively, and profitably.
At MPS, we create and implement innovative solutions for MARPOL related waste streams, consistent with a comprehensive sustainability strategy and a circular model based on the methodological framework of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, as well as national and international standards that prevent pollution in the maritime industry. We are implementing tools and processes to track and reduce emissions along our entire value chain and at every step of our services. This will be achieved by using the most efficient technologies available to maximize recycling, promote a circular economy and minimize energy consumption, giving vessels the opportunity to measure and reduce their scope 3 emissions. Our vision is to incorporate our circular economy and decarbonization model throughout the world through strategic global partnerships. With the right leadership and correct sustainable practices, the waste generated by 30 million cruise passengers and seafarers from more than 50,000 merchant ships, will contribute to the net zero transition our planet urgently requires. 
Navios Maritime Partners L.P. (“Navios Partners”, NYSE: NMM), is a leading US publicly listed marine transportation company that owns and operates dry bulk, container and tanker vessels. Navios Partners has a modern fleet of 177 vessels, across three segments with 15+ different types of vessels and an average age of 9.8 years. Navios Partners is committed to being a leader in sustainability and is continuously working towards this commitment by striving to measure and reduce emissions and waste, aiming to achieve ‘Zero Incidents’, and always focusing on operating ethically, compliantly and transparently. 
Scorpio Group is a global provider of marine transportation services. Scorpio Tankers Inc. and ENETI Inc. own product tankers and wind mill installation vessels respectively. Scorpio Services Holding provides services to Group companies and third parties including pooling and technical management. Scorpio has its principal offices in Monaco and New York. For more information, go to www.scorpiogroup.net |