U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has announced the appointment of several new members to the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Advisory Board. This group of appointees, including newly appointed Chair, Dr. Martha R. Grabowski, includes experts with military, higher-education, and maritime-industry experience who will provide strategic counsel and recommendations to enhance the Academy’s mission of educating leaders of exemplary character who are inspired to serve the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the Nation as Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces.

The USMMA Advisory Board, established under 46 U.S.C. § 51313, examines the course of instruction and management at the Academy to advise the Maritime Administrator and Superintendent. The Board’s work aligns with the Department of Transportation’s goals of safety, infrastructure, innovation, and accountability. The Board will meet regularly, including at least one visit to the Academy each academic year, to engage with midshipmen, faculty, and staff and provide a comprehensive evaluation of curriculum, infrastructure, and student life.

USMMA Superintendent, Vice Admiral Joanna Nunan, applauded the Secretary’s announcement, noting that “the USMMA Advisory Board has been a source of extraordinarily valuable counsel since its establishment in 2019. I could not be more pleased that this work will continue under the leadership of Dr. Grabowski and with the insights and contributions of such a distinguished array of experts who have agreed to serve as Board Members. This Board will play a critical role in helping the Academy chart our course into the future as we continue to evolve our programs, modernize our infrastructure, and fulfill our national-security and economic-security mission which has never been more important to the Nation.”

The United States Merchant Marine Academy Advisory Board consists of the following members:

• Dr. Martha R. Grabowski, '79 – Professor of Practice, Industrial & Systems Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY

• Ms. Ally Tenerio, '08 – Compliance Manager, Valaris, Ltd., Founder and President, Women Offshore Foundation

• Dr. Ronald J. Clark, COL, USMC (Ret.) – CEO, Spartan Strategy & Risk Management; National security expert; educator; and former Deputy Under Secretary of Homeland Security.

• Mr. Ray Fitzgerald – Chief Operating Officer, Crowley

• RADM Sinclair Harris, USN (Ret.) – Senior Executive Director, ManTech; Former Navy Surface Warfare Officer, national security leader.

• LT DeVar A. Jones, 18 – USNR – MBA Candidate, University of Michigan Ross School of Business

• RADM John Mauger, USCG (Ret.) – Trustee, U.S. Coast Guard Academy; Former Commander, USCG District One.