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  

 

Brian T. Holden - Chairman and President

For more than two 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 U.S. 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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John Kihm - Senior Nautical Science Instructor

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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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Deborah Hayes - Nautical Science Instructor

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Deborah has served as an adjunct instructor and assessor with USMRC since 2012.  She specializes in teaching medical, personal safety and survival, marine firefighting, leadership and teamwork courses.  She has served in various marine science and maritime education and training roles during her career to include more than 25 years seagoing experience aboard tall ships, sail training, and other vessels.  Deborah is a USCG licensed Master (<1,600 GRT) Oceans including Auxiliary Sail.  Deborah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from Connecticut College as well as industry certifications as an EMT, Wilderness EMT and Medical Person in Charge (MPIC). 

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Thomas Larson - Nautical Science Instructor

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Tom currently serves as Master for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock.  Tom previously worked as Chief Mate for Seaward Services aboard USNS Guam (T-HST 1), a high speed transport vessel that carries cargo for the U.S. Marine Corps in the Asia-Pacific region.  Tom was also previously an instructor at the U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officers School (SWOS) where he taught Shiphandling, Navigation Rules, and Bridge Resource Management.  Tom's other previous assignments included work as a deck officer aboard an Army Corps of Engineers hopper dredge along the west coast; a Crowley Maritime tractor tug performing ship assist and tanker escorts in Valdez, Alaska; an ocean surveillance ship, USNS Loyal (T-AGOS 22); and the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19).  Tom is a 2013 graduate of Massachusetts Maritime Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation.  Tom holds a USCG license as Master (Unlimited Tonnage, Oceans) and Master of Towing Vessels.

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Office Manager 

Rhonda E. Holden – Office Manager
 

Technical Support Staff 

Kenneth H. Chapman – Maritime Simulation Systems Specialist
Paul B. Dailey – Graphics Modeler

Annelise Freund - Modeling Specialist
 

USMRC Board of Directors

Richard M. Comeau

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