Allen Scott brings extensive experience in workforce development, training, and credentialing within one of the most complex maritime operations in the United States. As Training and Credentialing Manager for Washington State Ferries, the nation’s largest ferry system, Allen plays a key role in developing and supporting a diverse workforce of more than 2,100 maritime professionals while ensuring safe, efficient service for 19 million passengers annually.

With a career rooted in leadership, emergency response, and professional development, Allen has led initiatives focused on modernizing training programs, strengthening recruitment pipelines, and creating clear career pathways across deck, engine, terminal, and support operations. His work emphasizes practical, scalable solutions that align operational needs with long-term workforce sustainability.

In his session, Navigating Tomorrow Together, Allen will share insights from his experience at scale, highlighting approaches to recruitment, training, and mentorship that help attract and develop the next generation of mariners while preparing them for leadership roles in a rapidly evolving industry.

Captain James Zatwarnicki Jr. is a licensed Master, Unlimited Tonnage, Oceans, with extensive experience in commercial shipping, research operations, and government-owned vessels. A graduate of SUNY Maritime College, he holds degrees in Marine Transportation Management and International Transportation Management and is currently pursuing a PhD in Leadership for Higher Education.

He currently serves as Associate Dean for Faculty at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and previously held the role of Acting Provost. Captain Zatwarnicki has taught a wide range of maritime courses and brings decades of sailing, operational, and academic leadership experience to his work.

A lifelong Sea Scout and maritime educator, he is the founder of the Liberty Nautical Education Center (LiNE), a nonprofit organization dedicated to engaging youth through hands-on maritime education, mentorship, and professional exposure. In his session, Engaging Tomorrow’s Maritime Leaders Through Youth Programs at LiNE, he will share how early engagement and experiential learning can create meaningful pathways into maritime careers.

CAPT John Stauffer serves as Associate Vice Chancellor for the San Jacinto College Maritime Campus, where he oversees both credit and noncredit maritime programs. In this role, he provides educational leadership and administrative oversight for all training and workforce development initiatives at the maritime campus, with a focus on aligning education with industry needs.

Prior to joining San Jacinto College, John served as President of Maritime Institute, where he led one of the largest maritime training organizations in the United States, overseeing more than 100 U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, and GWO–approved courses across multiple locations nationwide. His career also includes 22 years of service as an Army Warrant Officer, concluding as Chief of the Maritime Operations Branch in Virginia. During his military career, he deployed three times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning numerous awards, including the Bronze Star.

In his session, Building the Next Generation of Mariners: How San Jacinto College Attracts, Trains, and Places Mariners, John will discuss how strategic partnerships, comprehensive training models, and intentional workforce placement strategies can strengthen the maritime talent pipeline and support long-term industry growth.

Dale Bateman has served as Associate Dean of Seattle Maritime Academy since October 2020. A native of Salem, Oregon, he began his maritime career in the U.S. Coast Guard, retiring at the rank of Commander after 22 years of service. During his career, he sailed aboard a wide range of vessels worldwide and also taught navigation and ethics at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Following his retirement from the Coast Guard, Dale served as Assistant Director at MITAGS, where he oversaw academic programs at both the Baltimore and Seattle campuses. During his tenure, he led the development of new apprenticeship programs, including the Washington State Ferries Mate Apprenticeship Program, strengthening pathways into the maritime workforce.

Dale holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and a master’s degree in ethics from Yale Divinity School. His work is driven by a passion for education, workforce development, and experiential learning.

In his session, Hands-on, Experiential Learning as a Long-Term Recruiting Tool, Dale will explore how short, high-impact experiences and field-based learning programs can spark early interest in maritime careers and strengthen long-term recruitment pipelines.

Captain Michael W. Bacher is a Master Mariner with more than 40 years of combined service in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Merchant Marine, holding credentials as Master of Unlimited Tonnage, Offshore Installation Manager (OIM), Master of Towing, and Master of Sail. Since 2014, he has made Saipan his home, where he now serves as Founder and Executive Director of the Western Pacific Maritime Academy (WPMA).

Mike’s maritime career spans navigation, offshore operations, military sealift, and maritime education. He began his service as a Navy Quartermaster specializing in navigation, later commissioning as a Naval Officer and ultimately retiring honorably in 2020. His experience includes command and senior roles aboard government, commercial, and offshore vessels across the Western Pacific, Middle East, and global trade routes, as well as service as Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping Officer in Charge for U.S. Fifth Fleet.

A graduate of SUNY Maritime College with a bachelor’s degree in Marine Transportation and a master’s degree in Transportation Management, Mike has also served as a qualified instructor with several maritime training institutions, including MITAGS. Through WPMA, he focuses on training entry-level mariners and connecting them with real employment opportunities across the U.S. maritime industry through strong partnerships with labor organizations, government agencies, and regional stakeholders throughout the Pacific.

In his session, U.S. Workforce Placement Opportunities and Challenges for Entry-Level Mariners, Captain Bacher will share practical insights on recruiting, training, and placing new mariners into the U.S. maritime workforce, highlighting both the opportunities and barriers facing workforce development in remote and underserved regions.

Kara Krenisky serves as the Military to Mariner Program Manager at Surface Warfare Schools Command (SWSC) in Newport, Rhode Island, a role she has held since 2021. In this position, she oversees efforts to translate Navy training, sea service, and qualifications into civilian maritime credentials and career pathways.

Previously, Kara served as the civilian Course Supervisor for the Navy’s Advanced Division Officer Course, supporting the professional development of Surface Warfare Officers across the fleet. Her background also includes eight years of active-duty service as a Surface Warfare Officer, followed by continued service in the U.S. Navy Reserve and transition into the civilian workforce.

In her session, Military to Mariner, Kara will provide an overview of the program’s structure and current status, discuss the value military mariners bring to the civilian maritime industry, and explore ways to streamline training and licensing pathways to help service members return to sea efficiently.

Dr. Elspeth McMahon is Old Dominion University’s inaugural Associate Vice President for Maritime Initiatives, bringing more than 20 years of experience across the commercial, military, and academic sectors of the maritime industry. She is currently a Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve (Strategic Sealift Officer) and holds an active U.S. Coast Guard Chief Mate Unlimited Tonnage license, with seagoing experience aboard vessels operated by Maersk Line, Limited.

Before joining ODU, Dr. McMahon spent nearly a decade as an Assistant Professor at SUNY Maritime College, where she educated future licensed deck officers and taught subjects ranging from leadership and ship stability to cargo operations. Her academic background includes degrees from Massachusetts Maritime Academy, SUNY Maritime College, and the University of Antwerp, where she earned her doctorate in Nautical Sciences.

At ODU, Dr. McMahon leads efforts to advance maritime education, research, and industry engagement. Under her leadership, the university was designated a 2024 MARAD Center of Excellence for Maritime Workforce Training and Education, reinforcing ODU’s role as a key regional and national maritime partner.

In her session, Keeping Talent Afloat: Retention, Training, and the Future Merchant Officer, Dr. McMahon will explore officer retention challenges, evolving training pathways, and practical strategies to sustain a skilled merchant marine workforce in support of commercial performance, sealift readiness, and national security.

Ally Tenorio is the Founder and President of the Women Offshore Foundation, bringing nearly 20 years of experience across shipboard operations, offshore energy, corporate HR, and nonprofit leadership. A U.S. Coast Guard–licensed Chief Mate, Ally has served in roles ranging from Dynamic Positioning Operator to HR Manager, giving her a unique, end-to-end perspective on maritime careers both at sea and ashore.

A graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Ally also holds an MBA from Rice University. Her work focuses on strengthening the maritime workforce through career development, mentorship, and inclusive leadership, with a strong emphasis on culture, strategy, and continuous learning.

Ally will present two sessions at the conference. On Tuesday, Building Careers on the Water: The Women Offshore Story explores the founding of Women Offshore, career pathways in the maritime industry, and the role of mentorship in long-term retention and leadership. On Wednesday, How to Be a Good Shipmate: Introducing the Toolkit introduces a practical resource designed to improve shipboard culture, collaboration, and professional accountability.

Andy Parkin is the Managing Director of Kilo, bringing more than 22 years of operational experience in the Royal Navy and nearly two decades of leadership across the digital, immersive technology, and maritime training sectors. After transitioning from naval service in 2007, Andy built a career at the intersection of people, technology, and maritime operations, guided by an “Audience First” philosophy that balances innovation, quality, and measurable business value.

During his career, Andy has led the delivery of more than 200 digital training projects for clients across defence, cruise, superyacht, and maritime education. Notably, he managed the development of the Royal Navy’s first fully immersive 3D training environment for nuclear submariners, reducing training time by over 50% and improving operational readiness—work that later expanded to support the Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier Alliance.

In 2020, Andy founded Kilo, uniting maritime expertise with cutting-edge immersive technology. Under his leadership, Kilo is advancing next-generation maritime simulators, including VASCO, a platform that enables bridge teams to train, practice, and be evaluated together regardless of location. In his session, Distance Learning: Combining Quality and Convenience, Andy will explore how immersive digital training can improve accessibility, consistency, and effectiveness in modern maritime education.

Nate Gilman is the President and Co-Founder of MM-SEAS, the maritime industry’s first credentialing platform designed to automate and streamline the U.S. Coast Guard licensing and renewal process. A hawsepiper, Nate worked his way from deckhand to Third Mate Unlimited, giving him firsthand experience with both shipboard operations and the administrative challenges mariners face ashore.

Prior to founding MM-SEAS, Nate served as a commissioned officer in the NOAA Corps, leading operations aboard research vessels. His personal experience navigating credentialing requirements while managing operational demands inspired the creation of MM-SEAS—a technology-driven solution to eliminate paperwork bottlenecks, reduce application rejections, and keep vessels mission-ready.

Through MM-SEAS, Nate is also deeply committed to supporting veterans transitioning from military service to civilian maritime careers, helping automate the translation of military sea service into USCG-approved credentials. His work bridges regulatory compliance, workforce retention, and operational readiness across the U.S. maritime industry.

In his session, Beyond the Paperwork: Live MMC Renewal in Under 5 Minutes, Nate will demonstrate how automation can transform credentialing from a months-long process into a fast, accurate digital workflow—offering industry stakeholders a practical blueprint for modernizing mariner credential management.

Jon Van Wylen is a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy graduate with nearly two decades of sailing experience across ocean-going vessels, inland waterways, and the Great Lakes. A licensed Chief Engineer, Unlimited Horsepower, Jon has held senior shipboard leadership and management roles and brings deep technical expertise in marine engineering, environmental systems, and logistics.

In parallel with his maritime career, Jon has served 18 years in the U.S. Navy Reserve, where he was promoted to Commander in 2023. His service includes global support to Military Sealift Command in engineering, logistics, operations, and training, as well as key planning roles for joint commands. His experience spans both operational and strategic levels, including assignments supporting U.S. Transportation Command during the COVID-19 response and other complex global contingencies.

Jon is the co-founder of Key-to-the-Sea Chest Consulting (KSC), where he applies deck-plate experience and strategic insight to address real-world challenges in the maritime industry. His work has included developing short-sea shipping strategies, securing federal grant funding for port infrastructure projects, and advising domestic manufacturers on waterborne transportation solutions. In his session, Mariner Shortage as a Symptom, Not the Problem, Jon offers a practical, mariner-informed perspective on workforce challenges, retention, and the long-term sustainability of the U.S. maritime industry.

John Anderson has been active in America’s maritime industry since high school, building a career rooted in maritime operations, technology, and professional development. He currently serves as a dispatcher with McAllister Tugboats, bringing firsthand operational insight into the daily realities of America’s maritime highways.

John has presented at numerous Journal of Commerce maritime conferences, the Ship Owners Cooperative Association, and other industry forums. He is a published author on topics related to advanced maritime technology and career development, and previously helped introduce air-cushion technology to MITAGS and Masters, Mates & Pilots. His background also includes public speaking on the maritime heritage of the Mid-Atlantic tidewaters, reflecting a deep appreciation for the industry’s history and culture.

In his session, Career Development along America’s Maritime Highways, John will focus on the role of mentorship in cultivating maritime careers. Using real-life examples, he will explore both the strengths and challenges of mentorship, offering practical insights into how engagement, guidance, and shared experience can help build the next generation of maritime professionals.

Dr. Marissa Baker is an Associate Professor at the University of Washington whose work focuses on how occupational environments affect both physical and mental health. Trained in industrial hygiene, her research examines workplace stressors and evaluates health and safety interventions across a wide range of industries, including maritime, shipbuilding, welding, logging, construction, and public transportation.

Dr. Baker has led multiple studies examining mariner mental health, including a nationwide survey conducted during COVID-19 and a follow-up study after pandemic restrictions were lifted. Her work is grounded in close collaboration with workers and employers at their worksites, translating research into practical insights that can improve conditions at sea.

In her session, Calmer Seas Ahead: Exploring Stress and Mental Health among U.S. Mariners, Dr. Baker will share key findings from her research, highlighting stressors affecting mariners today, identifying groups most at risk, and discussing potential solutions vessel owners and operators can consider to support well-being and resilience in the maritime workforce.

John Prell serves as General Counsel for VIKAND Medical Solutions, a global leader in maritime healthcare solutions supporting more than 500 vessels worldwide. VIKAND’s work focuses on proactive crew health, medical readiness, and integrated care models that enhance safety and operational performance at sea.

Before entering the legal profession, John built his career at sea, giving him a firsthand understanding of shipboard operations and crew life. A graduate of SUNY Maritime College, he holds a Third Mate Unlimited Tonnage license and earned his Tankerman (Barge) PIC while cadet shipping aboard an ATB. He later sailed as an AB/Deckhand on ATBs before joining the American Maritime Officers Union, where he served as Third Mate on subsea cable-laying vessels CS Reliance and CS Responder, advancing to Second Mate.

John is admitted to the bar in South Carolina, Florida, and Colorado, and recently sat for the Louisiana Bar Exam. His unique blend of seagoing experience and legal expertise allows him to bridge operational realities with regulatory, medical, and risk-management considerations.

In his session, OneHealth by VIKAND: Crew Asset Management, John will discuss how integrated medical and wellness strategies can strengthen crew resilience, improve safety outcomes, and support sustainable maritime operations.

Dr. Maria Carrera is a researcher and psychologist specializing in maritime human factors, mental health, and psychological well-being. She serves as a Lecturer (Research) at the World Maritime University in Malmö, Sweden, where her work focuses on understanding how work organization, safety systems, and operational pressures affect seafarers’ health, safety, and career sustainability.

With a background in both clinical and organizational psychology, Dr. Carrera has held research and professional roles across academia and industry, including work with the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre in Spain, Tilburg University, and as a Human Factors Senior Specialist at Lloyd’s Register of Shipping. Her research has examined issues such as working time, shore leave, safety management systems, and the impact of COVID-19 on seafarers’ mental health and career intentions.

In her session, In Search of a Sea-Life Balance in an Adverse Environment, Dr. Carrera will present findings from a large international survey of seafarers, highlighting the occupational pressures driving stress, reduced well-being, and high turnover—particularly among U.S. mariners—and discuss why addressing these challenges is critical to the future sustainability of the maritime workforce.

Joseph Bienvenu is an educator, learning designer, and digital media developer with more than 20 years of experience creating learning programs for both academic and industry environments. At Moxie Media, he leads the design of interactive training focused on maritime safety, compliance, and workforce resilience, helping organizations address both operational and human-factor risks.

Before joining Moxie Media, Joseph spent 17 years in education, teaching English and Latin while leading curriculum development and technology integration initiatives. His current work emphasizes practical, accessible training solutions that support mariner well-being alongside traditional safety requirements.

In his session, Hidden Hazards: Addressing the Safety Risks of Mental Health, Joseph will explore how fatigue, stress, and isolation impact safety at sea and share simple, actionable practices—such as peer check-ins and mental health moments—that can be integrated into daily operations to strengthen safety culture and reduce risk.

Shawn Smith brings more than two decades of leadership in maritime safety, risk management, and occupational health across both government and commercial operations. He retired after 21 years with the U.S. Department of the Navy, most recently serving as Director of Industrial Hygiene & Occupational Health, where he led fleet-wide safety initiatives and the implementation of Safety Management Systems across multiple naval commands, including Military Sealift Command.

Earlier in his career, Shawn sailed as Second Mate and Chief Mate with Masters, Mates & Pilots, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Global Marine, and NOAA, and later served in senior shoreside safety and training roles. He is a licensed USCG Chief Mate, Certified Safety Professional, and a Captain in the U.S. Naval Reserve, with academic credentials spanning marine transportation, national security, and advanced safety engineering.

He now leads NorthStar AnchorPoint, delivering innovative safety solutions to the global maritime industry. In his session, Safer Seas Ahead: Balancing Innovation, Tradition, and Shoreside Support for the Modern Mariner, Shawn will explore how emerging technologies, human factors, and expanded shoreside support can strengthen mariner well-being, resilience, and operational safety in a rapidly evolving industry.