Manuel Fernando Gutiérrez Gallardo is originally from Papantla, Veracruz. His training as a Captain and Geographer Engineer has led him to stand out in various roles within the maritime and port field, through different responsibilities.
He is a graduate of the Merchant Nautical School of Veracruz, has a Master’s Degree in Shipping and Port Business Administration and has also received the title of Doctor Honoris Causa by the Mexican Institute of Leaders of Excellence in 2023.
Since August 15, 2020, Capt. Gutiérrez held the position of General Director of the Administration of the National Port System in Ensenada. Prior to this assignment, he accumulated solid experience as Regional Captain of Puerto Chiapas, as well as Superintendent of Regulations and Lead Coordinator of Towing and Off-Shore Projects at Pemex Logística.
Capt. Gutiérrez Gallardo has also held leadership positions in the private sector, within companies such as Grupo Transportación Marítima Mexicana (TMM), where he served as Director of Ports, Terminals and Agencies. Likewise, during the period 2009-2015, he was Director of Maritime and Port Security of the General Coordination of Ports and Merchant Marine.
His experience also includes his performance as Port Facility Security Officer (OPIP) of the Port Administration of Veracruz, Head of the Department of Navigation and Port Supervision of the Captaincy of the Port of Tuxpan and Commissioner in the Captaincy of the Port of Coatzacoalcos.
He was also Captain and 1st Officer of dynamic positioning ships; Captain of supply ships for oil platforms; Captain of offshore passenger boats; 3rd Gas Tanker Officer; 1st Officer, 2nd Officer and 3rd Officer of passenger ships and ferries. In addition, his role as Marine Surveyor and International Inspector of IICL containers and isotanks has given him extensive experience in maritime inspections and safety.
Likewise, as a proud member of the Mexican Merchant Navy, he carried out his professional internship aboard the Training Ship “Náuticas México”.
Captain Gallardo has received multiple certificates, diplomas and courses in areas such as port administration, security and foreign trade, container inspection and port security. On June 1, 2022, in recognition of his outstanding work in the coordination to control the fire of the Pemex Logística Oil Tanker “Burgos”, he received the Outstanding Merit Award during the celebration of the LXXX anniversary of the National Navy Day, from the President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Capt. Gutierrez’s dedication and extensive experience make him an exceptional leader in the maritime and port arena, where he has contributed significantly to the development and consolidation of both the port administration and the Mexican merchant marine. Their commitment to excellence in the field is clearly evidenced through their valuable contribution to the progress of the sector.

Quentin Smith is the Director for New Business in Energy and Commodities at Veson Nautical, the global market leader in developing, implementing, and supporting the solutions that propel maritime commerce. A Digital Asset Evangelist, Quentin is focused on working with clients to develop and implement digitalization strategies that provide a distinct decision advantage and that have measurable ROI. Quentin is a MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management, a former naval officer and holds degrees and certifications in Chemical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, and Business Applications of AI/ML.

Tim Scarborough leads high-profile techno-economic and policy studies for policymakers, such as the European Commission and the International Maritime Organization. Working with port and shipping industry organisations on their journeys to reduce their environmental impacts, his clients value that his evidence-driven expertise spans from policy through strategy development to implementation, and draws on cross-sectoral insights. He has expertise in low/zero carbon fuels, their production pathways, energy efficiency / emission abatement techniques, emission inventorying and life cycle assessment. Above all, he’s passionate about decarbonising the maritime sector.

Chad E. Hensley  is a senior Survey Manager and Dimensional Control specialist with more than 30 years of experience delivering complex survey solutions for offshore energy, marine construction, heavy civil infrastructure, and industrial fabrication projects worldwide. His career spans bridge construction, vessel recovery, offshore fabrication, subsea imaging, hydrographic survey, and aerial LiDAR operations.

Chad has led survey operations on high-profile projects including the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, major offshore vessel recoveries, LNG and FLNG facilities, refineries, and offshore production platforms. He brings deep expertise in dimensional control, laser scanning, multibeam sonar, vessel calibration, and integrated survey workflows, providing technical leadership from project planning through final deliverables.

Recognized for his ability to solve complex survey challenges in demanding environments, Chad combines hands-on technical excellence with strong business development, client coordination, and team leadership, making him a trusted partner to EPC contractors, operators, and marine construction firms.

Paal Eric Thorsen is an energy shipping executive with more than 30 years of experience guiding maritime and energy companies through complex commercial, technical, and strategic challenges. His career spans LNG, tankers, dry bulk, offshore, seismic, and tugs, where he has developed maritime strategies, negotiated chartering, S&P, and new building contracts, and delivered transactions ranging from short term fixtures to capital intensive LNG newbuild and sale and charter programs.

Paal serves in a senior commercial and customer-facing role at DNV, a global leader in classification, risk management, and energy transition advisory. He works closely with U.S. energy companies to ensure that DNV is a trusted partner capable of helping them navigate an increasingly complex world, one characterized by evolving fuels, shifting markets, regulatory uncertainty, and heightened expectations around safety and sustainability. Throughout his career, Paal has led cross-functional teams, contributed to HSSE committees, and driven innovation across multiple fuel and technology domains, including hybrid battery retrofits, LNG as fuel programs, and the development and evaluation of CNG solutions. His approach is rooted in listening, collaboration, and creating tailored pathways that align commercial needs with operational integrity and environmental responsibility.

In his work today, Paal focuses on enabling energy companies to make confident decisions amid uncertainty—helping them understand emerging risks, evaluate technology options, and chart strategies that strengthen resilience and long-term value across maritime ecosystems.

Michael Scherer has over fourteen years of uncrewed systems experience, focusing in the maritime environment. At ASV Global, he scaled an autonomy architecture used on over a hundred self-driving boats and ships. Michael led and implemented the design, build, and commissioning of over a dozen USVs deployed to customers around the world. After being acquired by L3Harris, he went on to capture and manage a major US Navy USV program starting in 2019. In 2022, he became a founding member of Chance Maritime Technologies as CTO. Since then, he has led the engineering efforts at Chance Maritime Technologies, delivering multiple classes of long-endurance high- power USVs. Michael holds a BS in Computer Science from the University of Central Florida, and is pursuing an MS in Computer Science from Georgia Tech.

Tony Zhao has been with Shell for over 10 years with a varied background in Upstream, Projects, and Trading & Supply. He is the Shell Subject Matter Expert for marine batteries and manages electrification projects in the Americas region. His goal is to help Shell businesses reduce cost and emissions by leveraging electrification technologies in ships and ports.

Major General Jason E. Kelly assumed duties as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations on September 9, 2024, after most recently serving as the 53rd Commanding General of the U.S. Army Training Center and Fort Jackson, the U.S. Army's main production center for Basic Combat Training. The installation trains roughly 50 percent of all Soldiers and more than 60 percent of women entering the Army each year. In addition to basic combat training, more than 24,000 Soldiers graduate each year from other Fort Jackson schools and courses, such as the Drill Sergeant Academy, U.S. Army Institute of Religious Leadership, the Adjutant General School, Finance School, and Noncommissioned Officer Academy.

Major General Kelly, a native of Flint, Michigan, attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, and graduated in 1994 with a commission as an engineer officer.

Major General Kelly holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from West Point, and master’s degrees in engineering management from the Missouri University of Science and Technology, in statistics from the Georgia Institute of Technology, in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy from the National Defense University and in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

Kelly’s thirty-year career assignment history is vast. He has held Army leadership positions at every level of command and staff with duty in Asia, the Middle East, and the United States, including Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers South Atlantic Division; Commander of the Afghanistan District; Commander of the Norfolk District; Commander of the 20th Engineer Battalion in Afghanistan; Deputy Commander of the 36th Engineer Brigade during Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn; Commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division; Assistant Operations Officer for the 10th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division; Adjutant for both the 44th Engineer Battalion and the 2nd Infantry Division Engineer Brigade in Korea; Plans Officer for the 4th Infantry Division Engineer Brigade; and Line Platoon Leader, Assault and Obstacle Platoon Leader; and Company Executive Officer in the 588th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Division.

Other key assignments include participation in the Army’s Advanced Civil Schooling Program, with duty as an advanced calculus instructor in the Department of Mathematics, U.S. Military Academy; Aide-de-Camp to the Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy; and assignments in the Pentagon in the Office of the Chief of Engineers.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, the Combat Action Badge, and the Army Parachutist Badge, and the Sapper Tab.

Capt. Gajanan B. Karanjikar is a distinguished maritime professional, author, and thought leader with more than thirty-five years of global seafaring and managerial experience. A Master Mariner by profession, he has commanded Very Large Crude Carriers and ocean-going bulk carriers worldwide and later served as Marine, Technical, and Commercial Manager for a fleet of 18 vessels based out of Singapore. His professional background spans ship operations, marine surveys, port and terminal management, and international maritime consultancy.

Currently, Capt. Karanjikar serves as President of the All India Maritime Pilots’ Association (AIMPA), leading national reforms in pilotage safety, ladder compliance, and human-factor awareness. Under his leadership, AIMPA has been recognized by the Directorate General of Shipping, India, and international pilotage bodies for its contributions to safe navigation and modern pilot-transfer standards. He is also a Certified Marine Surveyor, Flag Inspector, and Accident Investigator for Panama-flag vessels, as well as a Senior Consultant with FMC International LLC (USA), supporting P&I, H&M, and admiralty cases across U.S. ports, including the Mississippi River.

Capt. Karanjikar has been widely recognized for his contributions to maritime policy, earning the Maritime ICON of India 2024 award from Marex Media for his work in Blue Economy development and pilotage reform. His leadership has also been recognized by the Company of Master Mariners of India (CMMI), which conferred on him the honorary Fellowship (FCMMI) for his lifelong service to navigation and safety.

An accomplished author and academic voice, Capt. Karanjikar is the creator of Blue Bharat – India’s Voyage to a Resilient Ocean Economy, published by Twagaa International Pvt. Ltd. The book—spanning a decade of original research and over a hundred essays—presents a strategic blueprint for India’s ocean governance, sustainable maritime trade, and coastal resilience, aligning with national initiatives such as Sagar Se Samruddhi and the UN SDG-14 agenda. His essays and columns regularly appear in leading maritime publications, including Maritime Reporter and Engineering News, Sailor Today, Sagar Sandesh, and Marex Bulletin, where he writes on maritime safety, logistics, decarbonization, and human- factor leadership.

A frequent keynote speaker at global forums—such as the Global Maritime India Summit 2023 (Government of India), MIT-ADT University’s National Conference on Innovative Global Technology Trends, and the Port of the Future Conference 2026 in Houston—Capt. Karanjikar is also a Global Sustainability Ambassador, G20 consultant to the Indian Ministry of Environment, and a nominee for the IMO Global Ambassador Program. He holds advanced certifications in Business Sustainability Management from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Ocean Governance with a focus on Marine Spatial Planning and international law under UNCLOS.

Capt. Karanjikar’s distinguished career exemplifies leadership, scholarship, and innovation in maritime governance—bridging the worlds of seamanship, law, and policy. His continued engagement with U.S. and international maritime institutions stands to benefit the global effort toward safer, greener, and more equitable oceans.

Kevin J. Traver is an accomplished executive in the transportation and telecommunications sectors, currently serving as Head of Ports, Private Networks at Boldyn Networks. In this role, he leads the development and deployment of advanced private network solutions for port and maritime operations, helping modernize critical infrastructure with secure, high-performance connectivity.

Before joining Boldyn, Kevin held senior leadership roles at the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) and the American Trucking Associations, where he drove commercial strategy, stakeholder engagement, and industry partnerships across the logistics ecosystem.

A proud veteran, Kevin served in the United States Marine Corps, bringing discipline, leadership, and mission-driven focus to every role throughout his civilian career. He is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and is widely recognized for his expertise in logistics, digital infrastructure, and public-private collaboration.