Intrinsic to our capabilities is a staff with extensive real-world, active experience and qualifications, supported by a deep global network of subject matter experts and strategic partners. Our practitioner-centric work features organic, real-time operational knowledge with worldwide access. This is extraordinarily valuable to our clients who seek relevant, accurate and time-sensitive approaches to new and continuously evolving risks in the maritime business environment. Our team also is cross-culturally fluent in maritime, with backgrounds from all flavors of seagoing professions.

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Leadership  

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Brian T. Holden - Chairman and President

For more than three decades, Brian has managed and led the delivery of highly regarded client solutions focused on the advancement of maritime education and training around the globe; mitigating risk in marine operations through modeling and simulation based research and analysis; preparing competent mariners to serve aboard a wide range of vessels; and the transfer of knowledge and skills relating to the business of maritime trade and transport. Brian is a Navy veteran having served both as an officer in charge of maritime security operations in a high threat port area and afloat as head of the Navigation Department.  He is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point with a major in Marine Transportation / Nautical Science.
 

Captain Richard M. Comeau, MNI - Director and Vice President, Simulation Training and Research

Rick is a seasoned marine operations simulation research facilitator, instructor and assessor of core navigation, seamanship and ship handling knowledge, skills and abilities of marine personnel. Rick has designed and provided hands-on training for clients in more than 15 countries around the world for a variety of vessels and port situations. Rick is a USCG licensed Master Mariner with pilotage endorsements, USCG/IMO certified High Speed Type rating Instructor and a graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and the University of Rhode Island where he earned an advanced degree in Marine Affairs.
 

Instructor and Research Staff  

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Tom "Sully" Sullivan - Nautical Science Instructor / Assessor, Simulation Systems Specialist & Quality Leader

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Tom is a mariner, educator, and maritime simulation specialist with nearly three decades of experience teaching at sea and ashore. He is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran Chief Boatswain’s Mate (QM) and holds a 1,600-ton Master of Motor/Auxiliary Sail Vessels upon Oceans license. Tom brings extensive experience in terrestrial and celestial navigation, ship handling, vessel operations, and maritime education. Prior to joining USMRC, he served as Faculty Captain and Director of Marine Operations at Sea Education Association and as Director of Nautical Science at Northeast Maritime Institute’s College of Maritime Science.

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John Kihm - Senior Nautical Science Instructor / Assessor

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John is a Master Mariner with more than 40 years seagoing experience including more than 15 years as Master aboard commercial, deep-sea cargo vessels.  John provides instruction and assessment across the full range of nautical sciences in multiple learning environments including the classroom, using full-mission ship simulators, in the field/lab and while underway. John holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation from the State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College.

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Jonathan Odell - Senior Nautical Science Instructor / Assessor

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Jonathan is a Master Mariner with more than 15 years seagoing experience including more than four years as Master aboard commercial, deep-sea heavy-lift and roll-on/roll-off vessels.  Jonathan provides instruction and assessment across the full range of nautical sciences in multiple learning environments including the classroom, using full-mission ship simulators, in the field/lab and while underway. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point.

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Office Manager 

Rhonda E. Holden – Office Manager
 

 

Technical Support Staff 

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Annelise Freund - Modeling Specialist
 

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USMRC Board of Directors

Richard M. Comeau

Brian T. Holden
M. John Vickerman
Eugene D. Story (Chairman Emeritus)