Error message

Deprecated function: Array and string offset access syntax with curly braces is deprecated in include_once() (line 14 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/themes/engines/phptemplate/phptemplate.engine).

Leadership, Seagoing

* indicates a Board Member

BRUCE KELLER

Chief Engineer, Unlimited, USNR

Bruce is a 1985 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Bruce has 22 years at sea and is a Chief Engineer, Unlimited on steam and motor powered ships with global and coastal shipping experience. He is also familiar with the offshore oil and gas drilling industry. Bruce is married with two children in Oregon.

BRYAN BELSITO

Master Mariner, Unlimited, USNR

Bryan is a 1975 graduate of the University of Massachusetts, and a 1985 graduate of Texas Maritime Academy. He is a USCG licensed Master Mariner, with 25 years at sea, 13 years as Captain. He is currently lead instructor of the Advanced Shiphandling in Manned Models program at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Bryan is a member of the Boston Marine Society, and past LCDR, USNR/MMR. He is married with two children and resides in Massachusetts.

DANIEL RAMSEY*

Master Mariner, First Class Pilot, Jacksonville, FL

Dan took the “hands on” route through the industry. He is a third generation mariner that started out in entry level deck positions. He has 35 years in the industry, 15 as Master and 12 as a Harbor Pilot in Jacksonville FL. He holds a Masters License and possesses a First Class Pilot Endorsement for several routes. Dan currently serves on, and has in the past devoted time to, assorted boards and committees related to the maritime industry. Dan and his wife split their time between coastal Georgia and the Smoky Mountains of TN.

JACK HEARN SR.

Master Mariner, First Class Pilot, USNR, USMC

Jack Sr. served in the U.S. Navy and in the Marine Corp during the Korean War. He has 52 years at sea, mostly as a coastal and harbor tugboat Captain. He is also a USCG licensed First Class Pilot and worked as an independent ship pilot prior to retirement. He is married 60 years and has 4 children. His two sons are among the industry leaders starting the APMA. Four of Jack’s grandchildren are also American Mariners.

JACK HEARN, Executive Director

Master Mariner, First Class Pilot-Alaska, USNR

Jack is a wartime sealift veteran honored for heroism in both the 1990 and 2003 Gulf Wars. Jack began his career in 1974 as an Ordinary Seaman on tugs. He graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy as Regimental Commander in 1979. He has diverse professional experience and over 40 years at sea with post-graduate and professional education and numerous professional service awards. Jack is married with 5 children and lives in Delaware. 

KEVIN HEARN

Master Mariner, Inland-Unlimited, First Class Pilot-Philadelphia, PA

Kevin began his career in 1977 and has served as Chief Engineer and Master of inland and coastal vessels. He has extensive experience in the towing industry, particularly in Philadelphia and New York, with special expertise as a docking master for large tankers and container ships. He is married with one daughter, residing in Delaware.

LEWIS PICTON

State of Alaska Marine Pilot, Region 1, Southeast Alaska

In 1974, Lew started his career sorting fish on a Bering Sea trawler. He sailed on coastwise tankers, acquiring a Third Mate license, 1979. His first Master’s assignment came in 1984. He has been a 1st Class Federal Pilot since 1985 with endorsements from Puget Sound, WA to Dutch Harbor, AK.  As Alaska Marine Pilot #138, Lew has piloted in Dutch Harbor, Cook Inlet and Southeast Alaska. He is presently a member of Southeast Alaska Pilots Association. Lew is spliced-up with wife Ellen and has two sons in Washington State.

MARK GAY*

Chief Engineer, Unlimited

Mark began his maritime career in 1986, graduated from Maine Maritime Academy rising to Chief Engineer, Unlimited. He has a diverse career working as a Maine Lobsterman, Commercial Fishing Boat Surveyor, Tugboat Engineer, and Oil Barge Tankerman before going deep sea on Container Ships. He is currently working in the Oil Rig Industry. Mark is married with three children and resides in Maine. 

WILLIAM ROFFEY*

Master Mariner, Unlimited, First Class Pilot, Alaska

Bill is a graduate of Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He has a prestigious career including Master of the largest vessel ever in the U.S. Merchant Marine. Bill began sailing in 1961 and has 17 years as Master and 19 years as First Class Pilot in Alaska. He is married with two children and resides in Florida.

Access denied