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Meet Ed Schwartz!
Ed is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering and Shipyard Management and 2020 Rear Admiral McCready Award recipient. He has over 20 years of experience in various aspects of the maritime industry and a USCG Unlimited Chief Engineers License. He is passionate about developing high functioning teams and creating opportunities to support the decarbonization of the Maritime Industry. Through his shore side career, he has worked to develop business by empowering localized companies around the world to better support customers. While sailing for MEBA Ed received the Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal for participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
When Ed is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family – wife Susan and daughter Kelli who recently graduated from Temple and started her career as a nurse - in his home in downtown Lancaster, PA. Ed is also a great cook and enjoys creating elaborate meals over the weekend! Ed is an animal lover and if you have been in video calls with him, you would often spot his dog, Birdie or cat, Astro, in the background.
Ed’s passion for sustainability goes beyond electrifying everything, he recently pledged to avoid all single use plastic consumption at home and while traveling. His one message to the maritime industry: please reward first adaptors; they are bravely leading the way to new technologies and designs so they deserve our respect and support.
Follow Ed on LinkedIn for many updates as he continues leading a team that is Electrifying Americas. You can connect with Ed directly by clicking here.
Joe joined ABB in December 2021 as the Market Development Manager – US Service, Marine and Ports with the responsibility to lead Market Development activities for US Marine and Ports Service. Joe has extensive experience in engineering product design and development and in customer service-related roles in the marine and rail industries. In his last role he was Americas Region Product Support and Services Manager for Caterpillar Marine. “I’m very excited to be a part of this team and a part of ABB with our focus on transitioning our society to a more sustainable future with technology and electrification and developing the support and services that our customers need and expect along the way.” Joe graduated from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, IN with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, IN with a Masters in Business Administration. Prior to joining ABB Marine and Ports, Joe spent 25 years at Caterpillar, Inc. Joe currently lives in Weston, FL with his two sons, Asher (12) and Ryder (10). Asher is into Scouting and swimming and Ryder is also in Scouting and plays soccer. Most of his immediate family still lives in Indiana, but Joe’s identical twin brother lives in Perth, Australia. Joe enjoys fitness and outdoor activities like rock climbing and mountain biking and is involved with his sons in Scouting. Joe loves going to the beach, taking his boys for some water sports, camping, and hitting the bike trails. You can contact Joe Labbe at any time to discuss ABB Marine Services solutions via joseph.labbe@us.abb.com.
Jeremy is a passionate advocate about efficiency and sustainability. “For me, it is always: “What makes the most sense? What is the most sustainable way of doing something? What’s the most efficient technology? Transportation of people and goods are essential to our way of life. The Maritime Industry is so important to the World Economy, and up to now not a lot of people challenged the status quo. So when I had the chance to work for a Maritime Battery Company, I knew it was my calling.” Says Jeremy Rodriguez, Project manager for Energy Storage Systems, ABB Marine & Ports.
“It was my way to drive changes and make an impact. Batteries and Fuel Cell are fun, however in the Maritime World, Safety is number one priority, so it’s important that the integration is done properly. My job within ABB is to lead technical execution project, making sure our partners, customers, suppliers, understand batteries from the cell down to the system.” he added.
Jeremy grew up in southern France, in the small town of Grimaud, and started his Engineering degree in France, before moving to Canada in 2011. In 2021, Jeremy reached out so many milestones: He became a property-owner, married his partner, Patricia, he became Canadian, and he started his ABB Career. Prior to joining ABB, Jeremy worked at Corvus Energy designing battery modules with the engineering group, running tests, and acquiring certification. Jeremy holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Victoria, in BC, Canada, and is certified as a Professional Engineering from BC. Apart from work, Jeremy enjoys hiking the BC mountains, playing Tennis and badminton. You can connect with Jeremy directly at jeremy.rodriguez@ca.abb.com and by following him on LinkedIn.
Priscila joined ABB Marine & Ports in 2019 leading the marketing & communications efforts for the Americas region. Responsible for all aspects of traditional and digital marketing, including communications, regional media relations, social media, events, and more, Priscila supports the Marine Systems’ team by focusing on educating the market on electrification of vessels for a more sustainable future. Her passion for sustainability is evident in many aspects of her personal and professional life.
“One of my first projects to promote was the new electric ferry for Maid of the Mist, and that was a fantastic experience. If you haven't been to the Niagara Falls yet, you should consider a visit to explore one of the Seven Natural Wonders of North America. Your tour experience with Maid of the Mist will be like nothing else - undisturbed by engine noise, vibration, or exhaust fumes from a conventional diesel engine - a fascinating experience now clean and green.” – said Priscila.
Priscila was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil and moved to Atlanta, GA in 1997 when she first arrived in US. After her residence in Atlanta, she moved to Nashville, TN and in 2018 she moved to Miami and made South Florida her new home!
Priscila has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes, Sao Paulo, Brazil as well as a Marketing Strategy education from Harvard Business School. Priscila was recently also awarded one of the Top Women in Maritime, by MarineLog.
You can connect with Priscila directly at priscila.faester@us.abb.com. Follow Priscila Faester on LinkedIn and learn more about ABB Marine & Ports great accomplishments throughout the Americas.
Meet the team – Erin Hartquist
Meet the team – John Sicinski
John Sicinski joined ABB Marine & Ports team in 2020 leading the Americas Execution Team. With over 20 years of industry experience, John has proven to be an invaluable asset in growing our execution team to continue our leadership role in the maritime industry. Prior to joining ABB, John has served in roles ranging from Shipyard General Manager to Class Surveyor and Project Manager for new construction projects in some of the world’s premiere shipyards in the US, Singapore and South Korea. John’s wife Sarah is the “Coolest Highschool Biology Teacher around”. She takes pride in having the fun classroom with many habitats filled with reptiles to offer her students a fun and unique learning environment. Samuel (14) is now starting his freshman year in high school.Sam is focusing his athletic talents on baseball and wrestling and his entrepreneurial energy on his dog walking business. Simon (12) is a likely future engineer and loves designing and building. He also loves rock climbing and recently designed his bedroom to be a mini rock climbing gym. Simon also loves animals and is enjoys caring for the family’s two Russian Tortoises. As a team, the Sicinskis love traveling and are either on an adventure or planning their next one. From National Parks to overseas travel, they can typically be found camping, hiking or boating most weekends in the summer months. John and Sarah recently climbed Mount Killamanjaro to celebrate their 15 year wedding anniversary. John and Sarah both grew up in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and despite going to high schools in the same town, didn’t meet until after college. Their first date was a skydiving jump from a plane and its been a ride ever since living in three different countries while traveling Asia on expat assignments. John is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marine Engineering. John went on to earn a Master of Arts in Transportation Logistics Management from the American Military University. If you have questions on the practicality of designing and executing hybrid electrification projects, you can contact John directly at John.Sicinski@us.abb.com or through his mobile:+1-713-471-6482 . Be sure to follow him on Linkedin: John Sicinski, PMP, MA for more maritime electrification topics.
Meet Dave Lee – and learn how he is future proofing the short distance shipping and offshore wind industries
With over 20 years of experience in industry, Dave started his ABB career in 2018 and he was ready to take on the challenge to electrify tugs, towboats, and dredges. Responsible for the named short distance shipping segments, Dave Lee is also managing the development of the offshore wind initiative in the Americas. “These segments haven’t embraced the hybrid and electric wave yet but big things are coming to America in the near future” Said Lee in an recent interview.
And it is indeed coming, this year alone Dave was sought after by many trade publications for interviews and attendance during panel discussions addressing the electrification of tugs and towboats as well as decarbonization and sustainable operations of offshore wind vessels.
Prior to joining ABB Marine & Ports, Dave spent 10 years at Michelin North America; and an additional 10 years combined at Jeffboat shipyard and parent company American Commercial Barge Lines.
Dave currently lives in Charlestown, IN with his wife Christa and his daughter Mya (who is 10 years old), and his son Kian (7 years old). “I have lived in the same area in Southern Indiana my whole life (right across the Ohio River from Louisville, KY). I grew up on a farm and with that I enjoy doing all kinds of stuff such as construction, vegetable & flower gardening, woodworking, working on cars, grilling, etc.” said Dave.
Dave loves working and relaxing outside (when the kids aren’t playing Roblox online with their friends 😊) and hanging out around the fire pit with his family making smores, which is of their favorite family activities. The Lee family also enjoys the beach, and the yearly vacation has been in the Gulf Coast of Florida every year to relax and recharge.
Dave graduated from Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN where he acquired his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology and Associate of Science in Computer Integrated Manufacturing Technology. He tries to get back to campus once a year to see a football or basketball game as he is a big sports fan and follows his Purdue Boilermakers, Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Reds closely.
You can contact Dave Lee at anytime to discuss electrification and hybridization of tugs and towboats, as well as the development of offshore wind industry in United States via David Lee david.lee@us.abb.com . Be sure to also connect with Dave via LinkedIn to learn more about his latest achievements.
Meet Oleg Yefremov!
Oleg Victor Yefremov joined ABB Marine & Ports team in 2015, leading the Service Sales & Business Development of Canadian maritime government programs. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Oleg has been instrumental in supporting the development of Canadian national maritime Programs. During his time at ABB, Oleg has been instrumental in securing many of our projects, including contracts below:
When he does not travel for work, Oleg loves to read novels by John Grisham, remixing music, traveling with family in US and Canada, gardening, taking care of his Persian cats, as well as enjoying several sport activities. Every year, Oleg is honored to support Montreal Mariners’ House charity. Oleg is a graduate of the Maritime Engineering Academy with a bachelor’s degree in marine systems, Business Management Diploma with Concordia University, and Business Development Certificates with The George Washington University. Oleg is a member in good standing of US Naval Institute, Canadian Institute of Marine Engineering, Canadian Defense Security Industries; member of Canada Coast Guard VLE working group; was privileged traveling with CCG to Canadian Arctic. You can contact Oleg directly at oleg.yefremov@ca.abb.com or his mobile +1 514-238-5556. Also, be sure to connect with Oleg on LinkedIn.
Meet Bruce Strupp!
Learn more about our hybrid and electric solutions for ferries, tugboats, as well as towboats.
The United States offshore wind market is booming, and our comprehensive integrated system can optimize offshore construction and support vessels.
ABB Marine & Ports provides advanced systems and solutions for a variety of special vessels including tailored solutions for increased uptime and profitability. Learn more.
Onboard DC Grid
Energy storage
Digital Solutions
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