The Association of Average Adjusters of the United States and Canada

American Marine Claims Award

As described elsewhere on this site, the Association is a sponsor of this award, first given in 2013.  We extend our warmest congratulations to the winners: 

• 2015 - Shawn Kucharski CPCU, ARM, AMIM, President, Falvey Yacht Insurance, whose winning essay can be read here

• 2014 - Noah Klein of Travelers' Houston office, whose bio and essay can be read here
• 2013 - Gina Domitrovich of AIG's Chicago office, whose winning essay can be read here.

Merchant Marine Academy Marine Insurance Awards

Commencing in 2005, the former US Association’s Executive Committee allocated funds for a Marine Insurance Award in memory of our members who died on September 11, 2001, which was offered annually to those USMMA (King’s Point) and SUNY (Fort Schuyler) candidates who had the best grade in the respective marine insurance course, or who, in the opinion of their instructors, indicated the keenest interest in the marine insurance field.

We later made Massachusetts Maritime Academy eligible for the award.

The Board of Directors of The Association of Average Adjusters of the United States and Canada has resolved that this Association will continue to present a Marine Insurance Award on the same basis.

We list the honorees here, with biographical information where it is available.

2015

SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler - Brittany Western

Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point - Christopher James Cook

Massachusetts Maritime Academy - Justin M. Viera

The schools have not furnished any biographical information this year.

2014

SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler - Kiwon Hong

Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point - Thomas Gerald Greathouse

Massachusetts Maritime Academy - Andrew W. Barbato

The schools have not furnished any biographical information this year.

2013 

SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler - Alina Togorean

Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point - Tyler William

Massachusetts Maritime Academy - James P. Haley

The schools have not furnished any biographical information this year.

2012

SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler - Svein Abrahamson

Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point - Megan Renee Laskowski

Massachusetts Maritime Academy - Thomas A. Barrett 

The schools have not furnished any biographical information this year.

2011

SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler - Meaghan Grasso

Meaghan is receiving a Marine Business and Commerce Degree with a Humanities Minor and Deck License in September 2011. She was able to complete her degree in only three years while maintaining a GPA of 3.5 and will be attending her last summer sea term this summer. She successfully completed an internship at a marine insurance brokerage in Pleasantville, New York during fall 2009 while taking 24 credits. Here, she investigated allegations of harm, weather and shipping related, wrote draft claims and composed a power point on piracy for a major agribusiness concern. Meaghan is uncertain about the pursuit of a position at sea or within a corporate office. She is leaning towards marine insurance due to the time spent as an intern where she developed an interest in this area.

Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point - Jonathan James Gardner

Jonathan Gardner is a 2011 graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. He is from St Petersburg FL and is the son of Frank and Mary Gardner. Jonathan is a Marine Transportation Major and Kings Point Scholar. His thesis paper is on the cruise industry and is titled: "The Cruise Industry in America: Fifty Years of Dynamic Growth and Development." After graduation, Jonathan will be sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line as a Third Officer. He enjoys reading about airplanes, cruise ships, ocean liners, as well as some science fiction. Other hobbies include putting together ship and airplane models. He travels, spends time with his parents and attends church.  

Massachusetts Maritime Academy - Robert T. Gallagher

Robert wrote: "I am currently living in Sandwich, Massachusetts where I attended Sandwich High School. At Massachusetts Maritime Academy I studied International Maritime Business and have been an active member of the Regiment of Cadets while maintaining top marks in the classroom. As a member of the Varsity Sailing team I have competed all over the East Coast most notably in Annapolis Maryland at the United States Naval Academy and in Larchmont New York at the Storm Trysail Regatta. During my years at the Academy I served a term as the Student Government Association Treasure and spent time tutoring fellow students in various subjects. I was selected to attend Shanghai Maritime University for the spring of 2010 as part of the inaugural exchange program with Massachusetts Maritime Academy. After graduation I will be working as a consultant for BackOffice Associates LLC."

2010

SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler - Kerry Tucker asnd Kevin Rea (The award was split at the request of the school.)

Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point - Daniel Ross Hults

Massachusetts Maritime Academy - Nicholas Hartt

Nicholas Hartt was born and raised in Methuen, MA. Prior to attending Mass Maritime Academy, Mr. Hartt attended high school at Austin Preparatory School where he served as both the football and lacrosse team captain. At Mass Maritime Academy, Mr. Hartt studied in the International Maritime Business program and held numerous positions in the Regiment of Cadets, most recently as Regimental Operations Officer, the 3rd highest ranking cadet officer. Throughout his tenure, he was a member of the Regimental Honor Board and a tutor for International Maritime Business classes. Upon graduation, Mr. Hartt will relocate to New Orleans to be employed by CGB Enterprises, where he will serve as a consolidated terminal and logistics management trainee.

2009

SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler - Brittany Littlejohn

Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point - David Edward Walraven

Massachusetts Maritime Academy - Eric D. Peterson

 2008

SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler - David Solomon

Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point - Jeremy David Maginot

Massachusetts Maritime Academy - Ashley Zarella

2007

SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler - Elena Novikova

Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point - Joseph Watson Judd

 2006

SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler  - Jeffrey Cook

Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point - Nathan Robert McCrillis

2005

SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler  - Vladimir Durandin

Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point - Dawn Ashley Ivancik