About M-A-M-A Trains

About Us

Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy (MAMA) is a privately owned vocational training center for individuals who seek to enter the maritime profession and for professional mariners who seek to advance their careers. MAMA provides training to civilian and military mariners from around the globe, and is dedicated to providing the highest quality training. Effective, cutting edge technologies and teaching techniques are employed so that MAMA students will have the skills and knowledge they need in today’s maritime industry.

MAMA’s purpose:

To provide practical, programs and individual courses to facilitate entry into the merchant marine at the support, operational and management levels
To provide training programs and individual courses to professional mariners to facilitate their advancement within the merchant marine
To provide continuing education courses that meet the regulatory and industry demand for advanced training
To provide customized courses and related services based on the specific needs of companies, affiliates and other organizations that assist in solving maritime advancement, training, educational and safety issues
To provide training for standard operations and watchkeeping
To provide training in advanced operations and trouble-shooting
To develop continuing education programs
To maintain highly qualified instructors who teach as well as inspire

Conveniently located in a 15,000 square foot facility near Norfolk’s International Airport, Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy offers over 75 USCG approved courses, a $750,000 Transas Navi-Trainer Professional 4000 Full Mission Ship Handling Simulator, which interacts with our ERS4000 Full Engine Room Simulator, Transas TGS4100 GMDSS simulation, and ARPA / Radar and ECDIS classroom simulators.

MAMA's full-sized gravity davit and 12 man lifeboat installation is located on the waterfront in Cape Charles on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. This equipment is used with our USCG / STCW approved Proficiency in Survival Craft / Lifeboatman course. Students use the equipment to demonstrate launching and recovery procedures, oar commands, rowing the lifeboat and taking command of the lifeboat underway.

The greatest strength of Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy lies in its growing team of highly experienced instructors. Currently there are 10 full time and 20 part time professional mariner instructors.

MAMA is conveniently located just minutes from Norfolk International Airport. A number of new, near-by hotels offer special pricing to our students.

Officers & Executive Staff

Arthur H. Goldman, Jr., CEO and Board Chairman

Arthur H. Goldman, Jr. brings a broad base of entrepreneurial experience to Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy. He has developed businesses in apparel, merchandising, and government contracting. His commitment to a large vision and his steady guidance have brought to life the school’s mission to provide the best knowledge and experience for the mariners we serve.

Barbara Lester, Vice President of Business Development & Marketing

Barbara Lester has a Masters in Education and 20 years of experience in the field.
She also comes to Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy with experience in sales,
marketing, and development for corporate and non-profit businesses.

John Sitka, III, Vice President of Academics and Chief Instructor

With over 30 years of sea service experience, Mr. John Sitka is highly skilled in the aspects of the professional mariner. He has continued to hold a strong vision for the development of Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy. As Vice President of Academics he is responsible for the development of new courses and their regulatory conformation to United States Coast Guard standards.

Instructors

Unlimited Master Robert G. Allee, Advanced Course Instructor

Captain Robert G. Allee, Advanced Course Instructor

Captain Robert G. Allee joined Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy as an advanced class instructor after retiring from his post as Commandant of Midshipmen at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in New York. Previous to his position as Commandant, Captain Allee had a distinguished career of 31 years in the United States Navy and Merchant Marine. His last Naval assignment was as Deputy Director of Logistics Plans and Policy on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. Captain Allee's personal awards include the Legion of Merit (two awards), the Defense Meritorious Medal, the Navy Meritorious Service Medal, the Maritime Service Superior Performance Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), and various other unit and campaign awards.

Master Chief Engineman Dennis Atkins, Engineering Instructor

Dennis Atkins is a retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Engineman (E-9). He supervised and assigned over 70 technical specialists in four main machinery spaces and an oil laboratory where he was responsible for operation, repair, maintenance, analytical troubleshooting, fault isolation, checkout, calibration, inspection, test and quality control on main propulsion diesel engines, 1200/600 psi main propulsion steam and power generating systems, auxiliary mechanical systems, reciprocating/centrifugal air conditioning and refrigeration machinery, HP/LP air compressors, evaporators, ships service turbine generators/diesel generators, hydro-pneumatic, electro-hydraulic and hydro-mechanical systems to include cargo and weapons elevators, steering systems, winches, vertical storage conveyors, anchor windlasses, valves, pumps and associated system peripherals. He coordinated all production control, material and manpower expediting, manning levels, special tooling, skills utilization, quality control and the identification and elimination of bottlenecks. Dennis served as Quality Assurance Inspector for more than 100 contractor jobs and design changes during pre-commissioning testing, following acceptance trials, and during maintenance availability period and overhauls. As senior member of the Engineering Casualty Control Training Team, and Damage Control Training Team, Dennis developed and implemented innovative and aggressive technical training programs to enhance the professional and personal development of technical specialists. Dennis was awarded Master Training Specialist. He served as an instructor for future naval officers, and was an instructor and counselor at the Seaman Apprentice School where he developed, revised and validated curriculum and counseled students on academic and non-academic problems.

Unlimited Master Ron Crook, Instructor

Captain Crook is a graduate of Texas Maritime Academy and holds an Unlimited Masters License. He has sailed as Master for United States Lines and Sea Land Services on various ships on different runs around the world for over thirty years. He has built ships in foreign shipyards and has a strong background in reference to ship operations both foreign and domestic. Capt Crook has taught at MITAGS and was director of operations for Sea School. He was also instrumental in developing the Marine Division of Blackwater USA. After 911 he became active in maritime security and developed port and vessel security plans both nationally and internationally. During the winter season Captain Crook operates a sailing charter business in the British Virgin Islands and is active in the sailing world.He teaches a wide variety of subjects at MAMA including 100t and 200t licenses, Ships Business and Maritime Law, and VSO.

Bryan Elliott, Instructor & Information Technology

Bryan retired from the U.S. Navy as a Boatswain Mate 1st class after 20 years of distinguished service. He teaches many Operational
level courses, and also works with MAMA's connectivity, computers, simulators etc. at our San Jacinto College partnership in
Houston, TX.

"Doc" James R. Miller, Medical Instructor

Doc Miller, retired from the U.S. Navy after 24 years of distinguished service. He served as an Independent Duty Hospital Corpsman for over 15 years. His last Command was Beach Group Two, Little Creek Va. He served as Command Senior Chief as well as the Senior Medical Representative for the group. After retirement Doc served as a Correctional Health Technician at the Western Tidewater Regional Jail in Suffolk, Va. After 16 years of service he retired from the jail and join the M.A.M.A. staff. His Military awards include the Purple Heart, Two Navy Commedations with combat "V", Navy Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and various other unit and campaign awards.

Unlimited Master Ed Nanartowich, Advanced Class Instructor
Captain Edward J. Nanartowich joined MAMA as an advanced course instructor following his retirement as a Senior Master with the Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC). He had a distinguished career of over 34 years with MSC and retired with several honors. He also served for 30 years as a Naval Reserve Captain. As a reservist he taught at Little Creek Shiphandling School and in Navy Simulators in Norfolk.

Captain Nanartowich has sailed as a Master since 1981 with 24 commands within the diversified MSC fleet (tankers, cargo ships, cable-layers, scientific support ships, hospital ships, ocean-going tugs and others). He has published articles in professional maritime journals.

George Raab, Navigation and ECDIS Instructor

Retired from the U.S. Navy in 2001. Served as leading Quartermaster and Assistant Navigator while on board USS Frank Cable AS-40, USS Arkansas CGN-41, USS Moinester FF-1097, USS Hawes FFG-53. From 1996 to his retirement he was the leading instructor for all navigation courses at FTC Norfolk. Involved with the curriculum development for the navy's electronic courses as well as the subject matter expert in celestial and terrestrial navigation. Instructor for Command Display and Control Operator (COMDAC) Course. Assisted USCG in developing the Command Display and Control Operator (COMDAC) Course. Ship assist and training visits to all USCG platforms. Consult to Center Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) and Navigator of the Navy Office in direction of training for the US Navy’s current Voyage Management System Operator Course. Developed all simulations for the current Voyage Management Systems Operator Course. Conducted Executive Level Training to waterfront Commanding Officers and Navigators in Voyage Management System. Coordinates and schedules outsourced instruction from various navy departments. (NGA, ATGLant, and Weather (METOC) Centers)

Captain Mitch Shacter

Captain Mitch Schacter started washing boats for his local boat dealership at 14 years of age, and comes to MAMA with a very diverse background and base of experience in the Maritime Industries. Professionally, Capt. Mitch has served on tall ships, tug boats, inter-island tankers, rescue boats and multi-million dollar private yachts. Currently holding a U.S. Coast Guard 1600 Ton Master’s license Mitch also holds the British and European equivalents. At his last school, Captain Mitch was the lead instructor for the British Royal Yachting Association’s Yachtmaster Program and is only one of just a handful of American Captains to be qualified to do so.

Unlimited Master Richard Weyandt, Advanced Course Instructor

Captain Richard Weyandt joined Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy as an advanced course instructor in 2006. Previous to his work with M.A.M.A. Captain Weyandt had 25 years of sea service, and spent a total of 35 years total in the transportation industry.

Staff

2nd Mate Caroline Sturgeon, Instructor & Director of Student Services

Caroline is a graduate of the State University of New York maritime school. She graduated from the State University of New York with a Marine Environmental Science Degree. Her concentration was in Oceanography. She holds a 2nd Mate Unlimited and 1600 Gross Tons Master License. Caroline's training and experience includes Licensed GMDSS Operator, Tankerman PIC, Material Handling Equipment Instructor, EMT, Marine Fast Rescue Boat, Advanced Training Inert Gas Systems / Crude Oil Wash, Ordnance Hazard Awareness, Explosive Cargo Handling & Stowage. Caroline teaches many of the Operational Courses as well as First Aid / CPR and Medical Care Provider.

Joyce Anne Davis, Accounting Services

Joyce Anne Davis comes to us with over fifteen years of experience in the accounting industry. She holds a Bachelors’ Degree in Computer Accounting from Jones College in Jacksonville, Florida. Joyce is the wife of a proud Navy Engineer with over sixteen years of service in the Navy and the mother of two teen age daughters.