For over 30 years, Mr. Jorge Duran has worked with the governments and private sector of the Americas in the design and implementation of development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Since 2003 he has served at the Organization of American States (OAS) as Senior Advisor in Technology for Development, Senior Manager for Municipal Development and Capacity Building, Chief of the Office of Science, Technology and Innovation and, since 2013, as Chief of the Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee on Ports (CIP).

Previously, he was Vice-President of International at the Latin American Institute of Educational Communication (ILCE) in Mexico City; Advisor in Science and Technology Policy for the Presidency of Mexico; Special Assistant to the Mexican Ambassador at the U.N. Mr. Duran has also been an Associate Professor at the Tecnológico of Monterrey and the Universidad Iberoamericana where he designed and taught courses on history and politics of Latin America.

Mr. Duran has Masters’ Degrees, in International Affairs and Science and Technology Policy, from The George Washington University and a double major in Psychology and Latin American Studies from The American University in Washington DC, where he currently resides with his two daughters.

Robert Dubois is the Director of the Center for Advances in Port Management at Lamar University. Rob hails from Miami Florida and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida before joining the United States Coast Guard.

As a young Coast Guard (CG) deck and engineering officer at the Marine Safety Office in Port Arthur Texas, Rob inspected oil tankers, cargo vessels, and offshore drilling units, led an armed foreign vessel boarding team, investigated collisions, allisions, groundings, and oil spills, and prosecuted administrative hearings as the Chief of the Investigation department.

Rob’s next assignment was Navy Flight school where he graduated first in his class in academics, earned his Navy Wings, and then went on to pilot CG Falcon Jets all over the US, Caribbean, Central, and South America doing Search and Rescue (SAR), migrant and drug interdiction, marine environmental protection, and fisheries enforcement.

As a CG falcon jet pilot, Rob earned an MS with distinction in aeronautical science and system safety from Embry Riddle University, and after two Pilot tours, the CG selected him to attend a full-time mid-career graduate program at Harvard University where he earned an MPA in public policy, economics, and leadership.

After graduating from Harvard, Rob transferred to CG Headquarters in Washington DC and became the CG’s lead performance budget analyst. Shortly after September 11th Rob was promoted to Chief of CG Plans and Policy where he briefed the House select committee on Homeland Security and worked with his team to protect our national infrastructure and integrate the CG into the newly forming Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

After a productive tour in Washington DC, Rob’s career circled back to Port Arthur, Texas where he facilitated National energy independence by reviewing and approving Cheniere, Exxon Mobile, and Sempra LNG waterway suitability assessments. Rob and his team also helped our region and waterway recover from devastating hurricanes and partnered with Jefferson County and the Navigation district to fund armed boats to further protect critical infrastructure and ships on the Sabine Neches waterway.

When Rob retired as a CG Commander with 21 years of service, Royal Dutch Shell asked him to build a best-in-class security program during the construction of our Nation’s largest refinery at Motiva in Port Arthur. For the next 12+ years, Rob and his team improved CG facility plans, Shell and Saudi Aramco Security policy, and built, and re-designed smart, cost effective infrastructure to protect Motiva refinery and its marine terminals. Rob also serves on Maritime Boards and Industry Committees in our region and taught Exxon Mobile risk management and OSHA courses at ISTC.

Captain Eric Carrero is the current president of the Greater Houston Port Bureau leading the 250+ company maritime business organization that supplies member companies detail vessel traffic information and maritime expertise in safety, security, and environmental issues in the largest port by tonnage in the United States. CAPT Carrero served 26 years in the U.S. Coast Guard (“USCG”) and led the Waterways Management Division for the USCG’s Eighth District before retiring from the USCG in May 2023. He is also a certified marine safety professional with numerous qualifications in marine pollution response, marine casualty investigations and commercial vessel, and waterfront facility inspections.

Dr. Alok K. Verma is Professor, Powell Chair Professor, and Head of the Department of Marine Engineering Technology at Texas A&M University-Galveston. Dr. Verma received his B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the renowned institution, Indian Institute of Technology- Kanpur, MS in Engineering Mechanics, and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Old Dominion University. Prof. Verma is a licensed professional engineer in Virginia, a certified manufacturing engineer, and has certifications in Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma. He has organized several international conferences as General Chair, including ICAM-2006 and ICAM-1999, and serves as an associate editor for three International Journals. Dr. Verma’s scholarly publications include more than 100 journal articles and papers in conference proceedings and over 50 technical reports. He has served as a PI or Co-PI on several funded competitive grants exceeding $4.0 million from NSF, DOE, NSRP, etc. He is well-known internationally and has been invited to deliver keynote addresses and invited papers at more than 12 national and international conferences. Dr. Verma has received the Isadore T. Davis award from the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) for bringing industry and academia together, Regional Alumni Award for Excellence for contribution to Lean Manufacturing research, International Education Award at ODU, and Ben Sparks Medal by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). He is active in ASME and the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). Dr. Verma has served the Hampton Roads community as a board member of several non-profit organizations like Norfolk Sister City Association, World Affairs Council, and Asian Indians of Hampton Roads. He was awarded the Diversity Champion Award by ODU and the Humanitarian Award by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC) for his work with under-represented groups. Dr. Verma is married to Rashmi, and they have two children – Shalini, a dentist and Shivesh, a physician.

Mr. Thigpen currently serves as General Manager, Marine New Build Sales, leading the US Sales team in capturing new build opportunities with vessel owners, ship design companies, and shipyards. Joel joined Wärtsilä in June 2015 as the US Sales Manager for Oil & Gas, and later was named General Manager of Segment Sales – Offshore Drilling, where he focused his attention on leading the industry transformation towards a Smart Offshore Ecosystem.

Just prior to taking on his current role, Joel served as the General Manager of Wärtsilä’s Global New Build Sales Program, leading global multi-functional teams on complex strategic new build projects in various marine applications. Including his time at Wärtsilä, Joel has served for over fifteen years in various Sales and Business Development capacities, focused on the global offshore Oil & Gas market, which have included expat assignments in Aberdeen Scotland and Dubai, while working for National Oilwell Varco.

Prior to his time in the oilfield, Mr. Thigpen served as a personnel officer in the United States Air Force.

Mr. Thigpen earned his Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences with a concentration in Management from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Marco Poisler is a member of UTC’s Global Executive Management Team and Board of Directors. Poisler has played an integral role in UTC’s establishment of strategic Global Energy & Capital Project offices around the world supporting a global supply chain. UTC Overseas specializes in designing tailored transport strategies for over-dimensional, over-weight, and specialized equipment.

Born and raised in Jersey City and in a family passionate about transportation, Poisler went on to study economics at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, and complete a Masters in Transportation at SUNY Maritime. Fluent in Portuguese, Spanish and a working knowledge of Ukrainian, his background has informed and inspired his passion for global logistics and the exciting challenges the job brings him every day.

Vesa Koivumaa is Head of Growth, Americas for Voyage, division of Wärtsilä a global leader in smart technologies and complete lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. Vesa’s areas of focus and responsibility are the exploration of strategic maritime solutions and technological growth opportunities.

Over 20 years in a variety of senior executive and management positions including at Wärtsilä, Vesa’s primary areas of impact include: Integration and Harmonization of European Companies into the Americas Network Security, OEM, Complex Project Management, and Customer Experience Management (CX).

Prior to Wartsila, Vesa worked as VP, Channel Management in San Francisco for Stonesoft, Americas, an IT security company acquired by Intel’s subsidiary McAfee.

Member of the Board, Maritime Blue, State of Washington and The Finnish American Chamber of Commerce, Greater Houston where he serves as President.

A native of Finland, Vesa holds an MBA in International Business with a focus in Finance & Banking from the George Washington University.

Margaret A. Kidd joined University of Houston, College of Technology, Construction Management Department in fall 2016, as an Instructional Assistant Professor, Supply Chain & Logistics Technology (SCLT). In August of 2018 she was promoted to Program Director for the SCLT BS degree program and in 2022 was promoted to Instructional Associate Professor.

Currently she serves as a liaison for the Exporters Competitive Maritime Council – Education Committee, Port of Houston Partners in Maritime Education, Liaison to Houston Electric League, Energy Industries Council, North & Central America Regional Advisory Board, Houston Maritime Center Board of Trustees, East End Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board and is the Education Ambassador for North America, Mexico, Panama, and Brazil for the Chartered Institute of Logistics Transport. In her role as Program Director, Margaret has developed a “global powerhouse” advisory board. Within the SCLT program, Margaret has negotiated partnerships with globally recognized professional organizations to launch certificate programs benefiting both students and the regional workforce. These partnerships include, the National Customs Brokers For-warders Association America, Chartered Institute Logistics & Transport, Association of Ship Brokers, and Agents (USA) Inc., and 4D-Supply Chain Consulting.

Margaret’s leadership and contribution to maritime/supply chain/logistics workforce competitiveness, and economic development efforts supporting the regional and national economy have recently been recognized by both KBR, Government Solutions, Port of Houston Community Grants, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Many have seen Margaret in 2020 and 2021 in the media including, BBC World News, Fox Morning with Maria, Fox Sunday Night in America with Trey Goudy, NPR, CNBC, Transport Topics, and local TV networks discussing supply chain disruption and solutions. As a popular panelist and moderator for academic and industry conferences, Margaret spoke in 2022 at ASCM, Turnaround Management Association, Fort Bend Chamber Commerce Infrastructure, UH Board of Visitors, Port of the Future, PCB, ASCM Innovation Summit, Energy Industries Council North and Central America, Houston Maritime Center, Port Region Supply Chain Forum, Harris County CPA Accounting Expo, UK Energy Export Conference and is scheduled fall 2022 to speak at the Southeast Texas Transportation Summit, Fort Bend Infrastructure, Southeast Texas Association of Public Procurement, West Point Society Greater Houston, Brazoria Economic Development Alliance Infrastructure, and Katy Chamber of Commerce.

Margaret has a BBA in General Business, MA in Cross-Cultural Studies, and has over 60 Doctoral credit hours in Urban Planning & Environmental Policy with an emphasis on port-city interface, sustainability, and economic development.

Geir-Eilif Kalhagen brings over three decades of direct experience in the Global Supply Chain, with an emphasis and core proficiencies in the Maritime sector, global logistics and international commerce.

This broad level of experience has been acquired during International deployment in S.E. Asia, Asia, North America, and Europe. Mr. Kalhagen global experience in the private sector along with his tenure as CEO and Executive Director in the Washington State Public Port system has led to recognition and appointments to National and International organizations. He has served as the First Vice President of the Americas for the International Association of Ports and Harbors. In addition serving on the strategic sub planning committee and the northwest caucus for the American Association of Port Authorities.

Kalhagen was equally recognized on the state level serving as Vice Chair for the Washington Public Ports Association. Washington Governor Jay Inslee also appointed Kalhagen to the Freight Mobility strategic investment Board. Mr. Kalhagen presently serves as the Director of the Maritime division for the Texas Department of Transportation

Geir-Eilif Kalhagen is recognized as an authoritative voice on the confluence of private maritime industry and public port management and has been a guest speaker on several topics for the American Association of Public Ports. Kalhagen has also contributed to discussions for Eastern Washington University MBA programs as well as guest speaking at the University of Oregon Executive MBA program. Mr. Kalhagen has partnered with Lamar University in the development of a Port- focused Master’s program

Kalhagen holds an MBA from the University of Oregon, BA in Philosophy and Political Science from the University of South Alabama, and an AS in Business Management from Norwalk Community College.

In addition he also earned a U.S.C.G. Limited Masters and a Six Sigma Black Belt.

Brian Hill serves as the U.S. Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Director of the Western Gulf Gateway Office based in Houston, Texas, since late 2011. As MARAD’s Western Gulf Gateway Director, Brian’s area of responsibility includes all the ports, waterways, and intermodal connections and corridors in Texas and Oklahoma. In this position, the Gateway Director works with local Texas and Oklahoma ports and other intermodal industries and responsible agencies, to improve and strengthen the U.S. marine transportation system. Brian retired as a Coast Guard Commander and brought a diverse maritime transportation, port security, regulatory, planning, and maritime/admiralty law background to the U.S. Department of Transportation and MARAD.

Brian’s most recent position prior to MARAD with the U.S. Coast Guard was as the Chief of the Eleventh Coast Guard District’s Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security Section from 2006 to 2011. In this position, he oversaw overall planning for the port security mission in all ports in California, including Los Angeles/Long Beach, San Diego, and San Francisco/Oakland. His duties also included ensuring waterside security protection for military outload vessels loading equipment in California ports in support of the war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and planning with DOD and federal partners for joint operations.

Brian is also an experienced maritime law and Coast Guard (JAG) attorney. Among other positions, he served as a Coast Guard attorney in their Seventh District Office in Miami where he worked in maritime law cases, environmental crimes, and maritime security issues. Brian also worked several years as a Maritime and Admiralty Law attorney with a large law firm in Miami. During this time, he became one of only 56 attorneys in Florida that is Board Certified by the Florida Bar as a Specialist in Admiralty and Maritime Law. After a few years with the law firm representing shipping and port facility interests, he returned to active duty with the Coast Guard until his retirement.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Government from Florida International University, a law degree (J.D.) from the St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, and a master’s degree in Security Studies (Homeland Defense and Security) from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.