Board Member Archives - Ocean Exchange

Bill Merz

Alys — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 22:10:30 +0000

MIT’s Seminar XXI and Virginia’s Darden School on Strategic Thinking. Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, serves in several defense advisory and board positions. Recently retired from the Navy and accepted a position with Entergy in Houston.

Three positions at the Navy 3-star level. Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, “Chief Requirements Officer” (OPNAV N9), “Chief Operating Officer” (OPNAV N3N5). Authored Navy/Marine Corps Warfighting Concepts and maritime elements of the National Defense Strategy, Nuclear Posture Review and Navy’s “Blue Arctic. Senior Navy liaison for AUKUS.

Career submariner, commanded the nuclear deep-sea vessel (DSV) Submarine NR-1, the attack submarine USS Memphis (SSN 691), and Submarine Development Squadron 12. Served as Chief Engineer aboard USS Boise (SSN 764) and for 3-years headed the Naval Reactors Line Locker.

Over the course of twelve global deployments his crews earned eight unit awards, five Battle “E”s, was recognized as the top ship in the fleet and completed the fastest ever under-ice polar transit. Swims, surfs, golfs.

Honorary Navy Chief Petty Officer.

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Brian Sorensen

Alys — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 21:07:53 +0000

Here Mr. Sorensen, together with his team, is responsible for the technical
operations of the fleet of cruise ships across the five different brands in the Royal Caribbean
Group. Prior to joining Royal Caribbean Group Mr. Sorensen held several positions within
shipping and technology & innovation. These positions included Vice President, two-stroke
research & development at MAN Energy Solutions where Mr. Sorensen, was responsible for
the continuous development of two-stroke engine technology and introduction of new
alternative fuels such as methanol and ammonia as well as Senior Director, Head of
Engineering at Maersk Maritime Technology, Senior Director, Head of Fleet Optimization at
Maersk Line Fleet Management & Technology and Head of Fleet Group Management at
Maersk Tankers.

Mr. Sorensen holds a degree as Master Mariner from Svendborg International Maritime
Academy and a degree in Mechanical Engineering/Naval Architecture from the Technical
University of Denmark.

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Dave Sobeck

Alys — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 15:45:34 +0000

During his career, Dave has led the design of over $4B in water and wastewater construction for public and private sector clients throughout the US, including some of the largest and most complex industrial water reuse projects in the Nation.

Over his 23+ years at Carollo, Dave has held a number of roles/positions, including Business Development Manager, Client Services Director, Recruiting Coordinator, Strategic Planning Lead, and Security/Resilience Lead. Dave was also responsible for founding and growing Carollo’s Private Sector Group (PSG), which specializes in industrial supply, treatment and reuse. Over the last decade, the group has grown to include over 60 staff, representing $70M/year in design and $1B in construction-related revenue. Dave currently serves as the PSG Managing Director, and Carollo’s Company-wide Managing Director of Marketing. In addition, he is a member of Carollo’s Board of Director.

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Vikram Agrawal

Alys — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 15:23:28 +0000

Vikram Agrawal is a mission-driven, operationally-focused investment and management professional who believes that everyone deserves an opportunity to be successful, however they define success.

Vikram is currently collaborating with Texan businessman and environmentalist Trammell S. Crow with a dual mandate focused on leading investments and catalyzing impact in mission-critical infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and resilience. He is a Managing Director in Trammell S. Crow’s personal family office and is working with Mr. Crow on several initiatives. Vikram is the CEO and Co-Founder of American Resilience Partners (a Texas-based, entrepreneurial private investment firm). In addition, he separately helps support the international environmental non-profit EarthX as the Director of EarthxCapital (EarthX’s team that has a mission to help raise awareness, educate, convene, and catalyze impact related to sustainability investment and business innovation).

Vikram has more than 15 years of investment and management experience across several industry sectors in the United States and the emerging markets (Latin America & the Caribbean and Europe, Middle East, & Africa) through his prior roles with Citigroup (a global investment bank), International Finance Corporation (private sector arm of the World Bank Group focused on sustainable development), Patriarch Partners (a multi-billion dollar turnaround-focused private investment firm dedicated to saving American jobs by saving iconic American companies), and Prophet Equity (a middle-market private equity firm that makes control investments in strategically viable & underperforming companies).

Vikram has worked with businesses in various life cycles, including those in concept, start-ups, growing businesses, and businesses in need of a strategic or operational turnaround. He is focused on helping American companies develop a Strategic Value Proposition through strategic and operational initiatives. He has experience developing investment theses, sourcing and structuring equity and debt investments, conducting strategic and financial analyses, and partnering with senior company management to develop and implement strategic, operational, and other transformational initiatives that drive growth, improve overall profitability, and increase value for all stakeholders.

Vikram received his MBA from Yale School of Management, where he was a recipient of the Award for Excellence in Ethics and Leadership. He received his Bachelor of Science from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, where he studied International Political Economy, and is currently a member of the Board of Governors for the Georgetown University Alumni Association. In his free time, Vikram likes to mentor students and young professionals, advise entrepreneurs and start-ups, travel, grill, and play & watch sports.

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Vittorio Lacagnina

Alys — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 03:00:07 +0000

Prior to joining Apollo in 2022, Vittorio was Managing Director & Head of Business Development, Private Infrastructure at Partners Group.

Vittorio has 25 years of industry experience across a variety of senior investment, advisory and capital formation roles. Vittorio began his career in the Investment Banking Division of Goldman Sachs where he acquired relevant transaction and coverage expertise across the Americas and Europe.

Vittorio graduated with a first-class BA (Hons) in international business from the European Business School, London.

Vittorio is a PADI Divemaster with a passion for the protection of animal life and the preservation of ecosystems in ocean habitats. He is a Certified Yoga Teacher and volunteer for Glasswing International in Positive Youth Development, Community Empowerment and Emergency & Trauma-Informed Care in Central America.

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Bill Malarkey

Alys — Tue, 25 May 2021 23:10:51 +0000

As an independent firm owned exclusively by its partners, Roland Berger has more than 50 offices and over 3,000 employees with a presence in all major markets. Driven by values of entrepreneurial spirit, excellence, and empathy, Roland Berger has long been convinced that business and society need a new, sustainable paradigm that focuses on the whole value-creation cycle. By working in interdisciplinary teams across all relevant sectors and business functions, Roland Berger offers the best expertise worldwide for successfully overcoming the profound challenges of our age now and in the future.

Bill is based in Philadelphia and advises clients in a variety of segments across the water sector. Prior to the firm’s acquisition by Roland Berger, Bill was the Managing Partner – North America for Amane Advisors, a water-focused strategy advisory firm, having previously served in senior corporate development and strategy roles with Severn Trent, American Water, Thames Water, and RWE. He also led the “Water & Industrials” investment banking practice at the boutique firm of Boenning & Scattergood, Inc.

Bill has served as an Advisory Board Member of the Urban Water Council of the US Conference of Mayors, and as Vice Chairman of the Water Institute of the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships. He is currently a member of the President’s Council of Waterkeeper Alliance, which unites a global water movement of more than 300 community-based clean water advocates who collectively protect 2.7 million miles of waterways in 47 countries.

Bill earned both a Bachelor of Science in International Politics and a J.D. from Georgetown University, and an LL.M. (International Law) from the Ruprecht-Karls-Universität in Heidelberg, Germany, where he was a Fulbright Scholar. He also served twelve years in the U.S. Army Reserve as a Military Intelligence officer from 1986-1998, reaching the rank of Captain.

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Charles Hinnant

Alys — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 21:37:45 +0000

Mr. Hinnant was also the founder of Charkit Chemical Corporation located in South Norwalk, CT. Charkit is an international trading and chemical distribution company, acquired by LLB Specialties, where Charlie now serves as a member of their advisory board. Mr. Hinnant was also the owner of Arran Chemical, Athlone, Ireland for twenty years which he sold in 2015 to Almac Group, a global pharmaceutical contract and manufacturing operation.

Prior to founding Charkit in 1982, Mr. Hinnant was employed by Fairmount Chemical in New Jersey as Vice President of Marketing. Before Fairmount he was employed by Olin Corporation formerly located in Stamford, Connecticut.

Mr. Hinnant has a BS in Chemistry from Davidson College, an MBA from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and has completed Post Graduate work at Tulane University.

He currently serves or has served on the:

Visitors Board of the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD)
Board of Directors of the Maritime Aquarium (Norwalk, CT)
Davidison College Board of Visitors
United Way of Fairfield County, CT plus Allocation Committees

Mr. Hinnant’s primary residence is Palm Beach, Florida but spends time in Connecticut, South Carolina and Nantucket as he enjoys many sporting activities especially boating with the extended family including six grandchildren ranging in age from 19 to 4.

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Board Emeritus

Alys — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 15:07:27 +0000

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Phil Purcell

Alys — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 22:31:14 +0000

During his tenure, Westport grew from a small company to a leader in the industry within the United States and internationally.

Phil brings a unique perspective to the marine industry, having traveled extensively around the globe. Embracing other cultures and working in emerging markets has allowed him to be engaged in the international marine business and implement collaborative processes to grow opportunities, research, and new ideas. Phil’s vision is to leverage his experience, knowledge, and personal relationships with industry and educational leaders for the betterment of the region.

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William Brennan

Alys — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 21:33:55 +0000

His career spans public equities—serving as a US and European portfolio manager for both mutual funds and hedge funds—project finance, venture capital, private equity, and senior executive positions such as Chief Investment Officer at Summit Global Management and Ultra Capital. Prior to his role at Verano Water, Bill co-founded and served as President of Resilient Infrastructure Group, a portfolio company of Partners Group.

Bill is also a Senior Strategic Advisor and Principal at InfraDX Capital, and he provides advisory services to innovative companies including Epic Cleantec, OnVector, and SailPlan.

Educationally, Bill holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Biology from Lehigh University, a Master of Science in Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University—where he is a Tau Beta Pi honor society member and has served on the boards of both the Engineering School and the Sustainability program—and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from Villanova University, where he was an Adjunct Professor for 13 years.

He is a Trustee of the Waterkeepers Alliance and the Chairman of OceanExchange. A veteran, Bill was honorably discharged as an operations officer in the U.S. Air Force and currently serves as an officer in the South Carolina State Guard.

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