CME Staff

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

CME – Houston

Jonathan Burson is a passionate, talent development professional with 12 years of experience in the maritime industry. A systems thinker who is proficient in creating management systems for training functions, implementing learning management systems (LMS), creating performance improvement training programs, evaluating learning impact, and implementing competency assurance programs. He began his career at Kirby Inland Marine, implementing a learning management system and developing training processes and programs that served over 3,000 users. He comes to SCI from Marine Well Containment Company, where he led the creation of operations training. This included the development of two training simulators used to deliver and ensure the continuous readiness of process operators and vessel bridge teams. Jonathan has a BS in Management Information Systems.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

CME – Paducah

Originally from Columbus, GA, Kelly has been with SCI’s CME-Paducah since November 1997. Prior to that, she worked at AFLAC worldwide headquarters in the Conventions and Meetings Department. Kelly graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN with a major in political science and a minor in history.

SENIOR INSTRUCTOR

CME – Houston

Captain Thomas Chivers worked in the inland river industry for over 30 years. Starting as a deckhand and working his way up to Captain, he spent over 25 years in the wheelhouse. Thomas has worked on many of the inland waterways and Western rivers and holds a Master of Towing on Inland Waterways (MMC). Thomas spent five years as a trip pilot and joined SCI’s Center for Maritime in Education as an Instructor in January 2018.

INSTRUCTOR

CME – Houston

Captain Kelly Fitzpatrick brings nearly fifteen years of experience in the maritime industry to her role at CME Houston. Most of her experience has been on towboats pushing chemical barges on the Western Rivers, Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, and inland waterways where she previously worked as Relief Captain for Kirby Inland Marine. Capt. Fitzpatrick graduated with a BS in Marine Operations from New York Maritime College. She brings a scope of knowledge spanning both inland and offshore aspects of the industry. Her licenses include: First Class Pilot Houston Ship Channel of Tug and Barge Combinations Unlimited Tonnage from LB 25/26 to Atkinson Island; Master of Towing, Great Lakes, Inland Waters, and Western Rivers; Master Unlimited, Inland Waters; and Second Mate Unlimited, Oceans.

INSTRUCTOR

CME – Paducah

Captain Jim Ferguson brings over 15 years of maritime industry experience. Starting as a deckhand, he advanced to the pilothouse, operating on western rivers and Gulf Intracoastal waterways. He holds a USCG Master of Towing license for Inland-Great Lakes and Western Rivers, along with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Organizational Leadership.

SIMULATOR OPERATOR

CME – Paducah

A native of Houston, Texas, Tommy Galvan brings hands-on maritime experience to CME. He previously served as a mate-pilot for Tennessee Valley Towing and is pursuing his Master of Towing Endorsement. With steering experience on line-haul vessels navigating the Intracoastal Waterways and Western Rivers, Tommy combines industry knowledge with strong technical skills.

A 2018 graduate of San Jacinto College with an Applied Science degree in Maritime Transportation, Tommy’s career reflects the close partnership between CME and San Jacinto’s Maritime Program in preparing the next generation of maritime professionals

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/INSTRUCTOR

CME – Houston

Having worked on the waters for three decades, and much of that time as a captain, Captain David Howell brings wide-ranging experience and knowledge to his position as Simulator Instructor at SCI–Houston. A lead or senior captain for most of his career, for 24 years Captain Howell worked on supply boats, offshore towing boats, and wire boats. He has experience up and down the East Coast, Gulf Coast, and many ports internationally. Capt. Howell spent several years at John E. Graham & Sons, Mag Marine Service, Brown Water Marine, Bud’s Boat Rentals, and North Bank Towing, training and mentoring younger mariners. Before joining SCI, he worked as Lead Captain at Buffalo Marine Service, where his leadership impacted the budding careers of many towboat crews. Captain Howell holds several licenses and certifications, including US Coast Guard Master 200 Ton Near Coastal, US Coast Guard Master of Towing Vessels, Western Rivers and Inland Waters, and Unlimited Radar.

SIMULATION & DATABASE MANAGER

CME – Houston

Matthew Hyner brings his background in computer graphics and multimedia development, specializing in the use of real-time 3D computer environments and Geographic Information Systems. A graduate of Pratt Institute’s department of Computer Graphics and Interactive Media, he has worked over the years on simulation projects focusing on urban planning, architecture, and training in the past for several government agencies, educational institutions, and private corporations including the FAA, US Air Force, Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Authority and Housing and Urban Development. Since joining SCI, he has worked to assist in developing simulation areas based on proposed engineering drawings for use in feasibility and navigation studies for maritime construction projects that may pose potential hazards to marine navigation.

Andy Martin has 13 years of experience in the maritime industry, all on inland towboats.  He started as a green deckhand in 2009 and worked up from the deck to the wheelhouse.  He has pushed one, two and three oil barge tows all along the Intercoastal Waterway and the Lower Mississippi River and acted as Master of Towing Vessel for the last 8 years of his towboat career.  After getting off the boats full time he began as an Instructor at the San Jacinto Maritime College in December 2021 and worked there until May 2023. In June 2023 he joined the team at SCI-Houston and looks forward to being able to train mariners to be better equipped for the ever-changing maritime industry standard.  

BUSINESS RELATIONS MANAGER

CME – Houston

Lisa came to SCI in 2016 to spearhead the development of the e-learning program. She brings her knowledge of digital media and online learning, along with almost 10 years of experience in the maritime industry. Lisa previously worked at CDP and Kirby Inland Marine. While at CDP she worked closely with SCI to support CME customers as they completed their annual training, so joining SCI was a natural step for her.

Graduating with a BA in Religious Studies and Ancient Mediterranean Studies at Trinity University, Lisa is currently in the process of attaining a Master’s in Digital Media at the University of Houston – Clear Lake.

FACILITY COORDINATOR/SIMULATOR OPERATOR

CME – Paducah

Buck has been employed with SCI’s Center for Maritime Education since the opening of the Paducah facility in 1997. In addition to Buck’s current position as Building Facility Coordinator and Simulator Operator, he also maintains a level 2 maintenance certification on the Polaris simulator. Buck is actively involved with the emergency services: he is a 26 year, 400+ hour certified Firefighter, and he was an EMT with his local ambulance service for 20 years. Buck is married to Carissa, his wife of twenty-eight years, and has two sons, Tyler and Cody.