American Marine Claims Award
The Association is very pleased to sponsor, along with the Marine Insurance and Claims Association, Marine Claims & Recovery Forum, International Marine Claims Conference, American Institute of Marine Underwriters and the Inland Marine Underwriters Association, the AMERICAN MARINE CLAIMS AWARD, presented to a candidate who successfully completes certain education requirements and writes a winning essay on a significant industry issue or development.
Details of past winners, copies of the winning essays and the contest application form can be downloaded from the AIMU website
- 2019 - Patrick J. McNamara
- 2018 - Norman Tucker
- 2017 - Jacqueline Nolan
- 2016 - Katherine Christodoulatos
- 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 Associations Executive Committee allocated funds for a Marine Insurance Scholarship Award in memory of our members who died on September 11, 2001, which was offered annually to those USMMA (Kings 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.
2018
- SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler - Cadet Roseleen Frawley
- Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point - Midshipman Daniel Austin MacElrevey
- Massachusetts Maritime Academy - Cadet Michael L. Quinn
The schools have not furnished any biographical information this year.
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