Directory

• Bachelor of Science from Massachusetts Maritime Academy
• Master of Science in Facilities Management from Massachusetts Maritime Academy
• Marine License - First Assistant Engineer, Motor, Unlimited Horsepower
• Second Assistant Engineer, Steam and Gas Turbine, Unlimited Horsepower

James F. Kane serves as Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Operations for the A.D. Makepeace Company, a land holding company in southeastern Massachusetts.  In that role Jim oversees all facets of land use planning, permitting and plan implementation whether it is a residential, commercial, conservation/open space or a renewable energy use. He is also responsible for all infrastructure planning, development and execution to serve company and regional needs for water, waste-water, property and open space management as well operational profit and investment for each division.

Jim has worked cooperatively and successfully with the many towns in which the company owns land to develop and implement innovative zoning by-laws to guarantee conservation of critical open space habitats that serve to protect unique landscapes while allowing for the development of traditional New England villages.  

While with Makepeace, Jim undertook and completed an extensive analysis of alternative energy opportunities within the Company’s holdings.  Project and market viability analysis included large-scale solar, hydro-electric generation, geothermal and wind energy.   

Prior to returning to Massachusetts and joining the A.D. Makepeace Company, Jim served as Deputy Executive Director/CFO of the Republican Governors Association in Washington DC where he was responsible for all financial and administrative operations and national polling and political advertisement.   In the years before joining the RGA, Jim served in various senior roles in the Weld/Cellucci administration, first in the Governor’s office as Deputy Chief Policy Advisor and at the Massachusetts Government Land Bank where he oversaw the merger of two quasi-public agencies, Massachusetts Industrial Finance Agency and Massachusetts Government Land Bank into MassDevelopment, and the redevelopment of Fort Devens.  He later served as Chief of Operations at the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority.

Jim earned an undergraduate degree in economics and political science from College of the Holy Cross and a master's degree in public administration from Clark University and is in his third term as a member of the Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen, and presently serving as Chairman of the Beal Early Childhood Center Building Committee.   Jim resides in Shrewsbury with his wife Hannah and three wonderful children.

• Courses Taught: 
  • FM-5180: Capstone Advisor

• Education:
  • Ed.D Plymouth State University, 2020
  • M.S. Facilities Management, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 2012
  • B.S. Marine Engineering, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 2008
  • Marine License - Second Assistant Engineer, Steam, Unlimited Horsepower
  • Third Assistant Engineer, Motor and Gas Turbine, Unlimited Horsepower
  • Stationary License: Massachusetts Third Class

Julie McMichen graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering and a U.S.C.G. 3rd Assistant Engineer’s License.

Upon graduation, Ms. McMichen had a brief shipping career with Marine Transport Lines. Julie was hired by Electric Boat in 1988 as the first female engineer in the department of Nuclear Procurement Quality Control. During this time, she worked on several main and auxiliary components in the engine room for the Seawolf Class. In October of 1993, Julie returned to MMA as an employee and worked onboard the T/S Patriot State as a permanent crew member in the capacity of Purser/Supplier Officer for 7 years. From 2000-2004, Julie worked in Student Services as 5th Company Officer. Julie returned to Electric Boat and has been working in Supplier Quality as an Engineering Specialist in areas of propulsion, engine room components and missile systems in new construction for the Virginia and Columbia Class submarines for the past 16 years. Thirteen of the 16 years was as the EB resident engineer at Northrop Grumman in Sunnyvale, CA which is 10 miles from her birthplace. Things do come full circle!

Ms. McMichen was on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Alumni Association from 2002-2020 and has served as a Board member, Secretary, Vice President and first female President. Julie is an active parishioner of St. Bonaventure in Manomet, member of the American Society of Quality and also the Society of Women Engineers.

Julie lives in Sagamore Beach, MA, near many family members including her parents and brother, Richard. Her brother, T. Blane is a 1983 graduate of the Academy and lives in Zionsville, IN. Julie enjoys skiing, hiking, knitting, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Ms. McMichen dedicates this appointment to the memory of our shipmate and friend, Prendi.

• Bachelor of Science from Massachusetts Maritime Academy
• Master of Science in Facilities Management from Massachusetts Maritime Academy
• Marine License - Chief Engineer, Steam, Motor, and Gas Turbine, Unlimited Horsepower
• Stationary License - Massachusetts First Class

Melissa Karam Panchley graduated from BMC Durfee High School in 1991 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Human Development from Boston College in 1995. 

After graduating from college, Melissa went to work at the Fall River Housing Authority for six years where she was a Youth Outreach Worker, and then the Elderly Services Coordinator.   When she decided to start a family, she went to work for the family business at Karam Financial Group, where she could do bookkeeping work from home while she raised her children. 

In 2009, Melissa received a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

In 2011, Melissa transitioned into the role of Senior Property Manager for the adult communities managed by Karam Financial Group. In this role she is responsible for overseeing the management and physical plant of 304 apartment units on the Southcoast and Cape Cod, as well as 44 condominium units. 

Melissa served on the Fall River School Committee from 2014-2017.  During that time, she chaired the Finance Sub-Committee, as well as the Instructional Sub-Committee.  She also served on the Superintendent search committee in 2016.  After serving on the Fall River School Committee, she was the Treasurer for the New Durfee Ballot Action Committee, a ballot question committee in support of funding for a new Durfee High School.

Melissa has been involved in numerous organizations as a volunteer, such as the President of the Board of the Ninth Street Day Nursery and Vice President and Treasurer for the Friends of Saint Anne’s Hospital.  She currently serves on the Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce’s Sub-Committee on Education, the Board of the Greater Fall River United Way, and Treasurer of the Durfee Hilltopper Athletic Foundation. 

Melissa was born and raised in Fall River and currently resides in the city with her husband, Josh and two sons, Thomas and Christopher.