JON S. HELMICK, CO-CHAIR Director, Logistics and Intermodal Transportation Program U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

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Dr. Jon Helmick is Co-Chair of the U.S. Maritime Security Expo and a member of the Expo Advisory Board. He is Director of the Logistics and Intermodal Transportation Program at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. He is also founder of the Academy's Port and Intermodal Security Initiative. Dr. Helmick holds the rank of Captain in the U.S. Maritime Service.

Since 2003, Dr. Helmick has served as project chairman for the U.S. Department of Transportation's Congressionally-mandated development of national maritime security education and training standards and curricula under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. He served as principal author of MARAD's Report to Congress on implementation of Section 109 of the MTSA. This project was extended to include development of three model maritime security courses for the U.N. International Maritime Organization. Dr. Helmick also chairs the MARAD/USCG committee that developed and oversees a national system of certification for port, maritime, and intermodal security personnel.

Dr. Helmick holds a U.S. Coast Guard license as Master of Ocean Steam, Motor, Auxiliary Sail, and Sail Vessels of Any Gross Tons and has served as seaman, mate, and master aboard a wide variety of commercial vessels. In addition to his experience as a merchant marine officer, he has served as Vice President, Operations for a start-up cruise line and as an expert witness and consultant.

Dr. Helmick received his Ph.D. from the University of Miami School of Business Administration. He has published research on transportation topics in such journals as Logistics and Transportation Review, Transportation Journal, and Transportation Quarterly. Dr. Helmick is a frequent presenter at major logistics, transportation, and security conferences. He has twice testified before Congress. He has served on the U.S. delegations to meetings of the International Maritime Organization and the International Labor Organization. He is actively involved in several national and international cooperative efforts on port, maritime, and intermodal security; maritime transportation system development; and logistics education and research. He serves on numerous boards, task forces, and committees within industry and governmental associations.

Dr. Helmick has received the U.S. Department of Transportation Gold Medal (Outstanding Achievement Award), the U.S. Maritime Administration Bronze Medal (Special Achievement Award), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security "Secretary's Award for Excellence" for his work.