Fordham University News

Members of the maritime community gathered last evening at the New York Athletic Club to honor three of its leaders: H. Marshall Ainley (President, Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association), Ian T. Blackley (President & CEO, Overseas Ship Management, Inc.) and Raymond J. Burke Jr. (Partner, Burke & Parsons). These individuals were given the 2016 “Outstanding Friend of Seafarers” Award by Seafarers International House, a Lutheran, non-profit agency serving merchant seafarers in Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island, at the organization’s 16th Annual “Setting the Course” Awards Banquet. * Marshall Ainley was elected president of MEBA in January 2014 and is a 1982 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Maritime Academy in Kings Point, NY.

Clarkson Capital Markets, the investment banking arm of shipping services group Clarkson PLC,  says it has enhanced its equity research coverage with the appointment of Omar Nokta as Managing Director of Shipping Research. Omar will be based in CCM's New York office. Omar brings significant sector experience and expertise to Clarkson Capital Markets. He joins CCM from Global Hunter Securities LLC where he was Senior Shipping Analyst. Prior to this he was Senior Research Analyst at Dahlman Rose, where he helped build the company into one of the leading shipping focussed investment banks, advancing its energy, commodities and metals and mining product offering.

Matson, Inc., a U.S. carrier in the Pacific, announced today that Kevin O'Rourke, senior vice president and chief legal officer, is retiring after 21 years with Matson. O'Rourke will be succeeded by Peter Heilmann, who has been promoted to senior vice president and chief legal officer. O'Rourke joined Matson in 1992 as vice president and general counsel. He was promoted to senior vice president in 1995. His career has included over 30 years of experience in domestic and international maritime law. He has a thorough knowledge of the industry's federal regulatory bodies and government agencies.

The Port of Oswego Authority has announced the appointment of Zelko N. Kirincich to the position of Executive Director. He assumed his new responsibilities on January 6, 2014. Mr. Kirincich comes from the Port Authority of Tampa, Florida, where he worked from 1996-2013. He most recently served there as Deputy Port Director and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to his 17 years at the Port of Tampa, Mr. Kirincich worked for 14 years at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, where he specialized in engineering, project management and facilities management. Mr. Kirincich received a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Manhattan College, and a master’s degree in business administration from Manhattan College/Fordham University.

Lt. Carl Comasco, Jr. receives the Theodore Roosevelt Junior Officer of the Year Award. This award, given annually by the TRA since 1992, recognizes young officers serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) who exemplify the exceptional leadership, pride, professionalism, and dedication to duty inherent in President Theodore Roosevelt. Lt. Comasco, 27, is assigned to the USS Theodore Roosevelt’s reactor department, and is being honored for his achievements in overseeing operations…

Robert J. Flynn Elected Chairman of the Board. ADM Thad Allen and Clay Maitland among an impressive slate of of 11 others. The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced today that in accordance with its bylaws, a new slate of officers has been elected to serve on the Board of Trustees, beginning January 1, 2012. Robert J. Flynn was elected Chairman of the Board at the organization’s annual meeting in the fall. Joining Mr. Flynn as officers are Al J. Bernard, vice chairman; William E.

On Thursday evening, April 22, 2010, Seafarers & International House will hold its annual awards banquet, “Setting the Course,” at the New York Athletic Club for the purpose of honoring Donald Keefe, President of Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association, Philip J. Schapiro, President & CEO of Liberty Maritime Corporation and Joseph C. Sweeney, Distinguished Professor of Law at Fordham University School of Law. Seafarers & International House is a Lutheran mission serving seafarers and sojourners. Its 84-room guesthouse at 123 East 15th Street in Manhattan, once one of several seafarer hotels, is now utilized to accommodate a greater variety of travelers, including domestic violence victims, refugees, asylum seekers, as well as the reduced number of seafarers requiring accommodations.

Crowley Maritime Corporation has promoted Ed Fortunato to vice president, Government Business Development, with marketing, sales and budgetary responsibility for the company's government services sector. In his new position, he remains domiciled in the Washington, D.C. area. He continues his activities with senior government agency councils and committees. Since joining Crowley in 1997 as Director of Government Services, Fortunato has been instrumental in managing government contracts. Prior to joining Crowley, Fortunato worked for the Logistics Management Institute providing transportation/logistics advice and analytical support to the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He also taught graduate level transportation and logistics at the National Defense University.

A forum entitled “New York Maritime Matters: Capital Markets: Today and Tomorrow” will be held on September 20th at the Lincoln Center Campus of Fordham University School of Law. Sponsored by New York Maritime (NYMAR) and the Fordham University School of Law, the seminar will be held from 4-6pm, followed by a wine reception. This forum will explore the recent volatility in the capital markets and the impact on shipping, as well as examine capital requirements for port infrastructure. Led by AMA Capital Partners’ Managing Director Peter Shaerf, a panel of shipping experts including Sophocles Zoullas (CEO, Eagle Bulk), John Wobensmith (CFO, Genco Shipping & Trading) and Omar Nokta (Analyst, Dahlman Rose) will discuss the recent volatility in the shipping capital markets.

It seems like only yesterday that the members of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Unit at the State University of New York Maritime College witnessed the September11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and civil society. Located on the tip of the Throggs Neck peninsula, almost directly below the Throggs Neck Bridge and in direct sight of the Manhattan skyline, the Unit had a clear view of the tragedy. While the sticking pain and sorrow caused by the tragedy remains with the Unit, it has experienced changes from a year ago that reflect the country’s renewed emphasis on national security and deepening appreciation for firefighters and other emergency rescue personnel.