KINGS POINT, N.Y., October 22, 2014 - On Monday, United States Merchant Marine Academy Alum, Mike Rodriguez, Class of 1979, was sworn in as the Deputy Administrator of the Maritime Administration (MARAD).

Administrator Jaenichen said, “Mike’s significant experience sailing as a U.S. Merchant Mariner will be of great value to the MARAD leadership team.  Coupled with his distinguished U.S. Navy Reserve service and congressional staff experience, he is a perfect fit for the agency and I look forward to welcoming him onboard."

Rodriguez has over 35 years of experience as a maritime industry professional in both the public and private sectors.

Mr. Rodriguez is joining MARAD from the Navy’s National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office. Prior to that he served in the Military Sealift Command and in other active duty tours in the Navy. He has also served as professional staff on the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Marine Transportation, as well as the executive assistant to the International President of the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots. He sailed for sixteen years as a deck officer aboard commercial and military charter vessels including tankships, general cargo ships, offshore service vessels and container vessels. For four years he was an instructor at Kings Point, supervising the Midshipmen’s shipboard training.

In addition to his Kings Point degree, Mr. Rodriguez earned a bachelor’s degree in General Business from the University of Baltimore and an MBA from Dowling College in New York.