Professor Tom Lennon is a member of the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Department at Mass Maritime. He joined the faculty in 2010 after serving on active duty with the U. S. Navy and Coast Guard for 25 years. His areas of emphasis include international relief and maritime security. Professor Lennon has developed several international education programs and exchanges for Mass Maritime including programs in Haiti, Guatemala, and Denmark. Professor Lennon’s military assignments included positions supporting Coast Guard and Department of Defense operations and missions worldwide including two deployments to the Middle East. Professor Lennon also held faculty positions and/or senior leadership positions at the United States Coast Guard Academy, at the Naval Justice School, and with the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies. He also served as adjunct faculty at the Naval War College, and has lectured at institutions and at conferences throughout the world including South America, Asia, Africa and Europe.
Albion Llewellyn is an accomplished Associate Professor and Master Mariner with over 18 years of maritime expertise, including a decade of sea service operating cruise ships and drill ships. He brings specialized knowledge in Dynamic Positioning operations, ship stability, and shipyard project management to both academic and professional settings. Renowned for his approachable demeanor, attention to detail, and student-centered teaching philosophy, Professor Llewellyn creates dynamic, effective learning environments that promote long-term student success. A committed advocate for maritime sustainability, he conducts research on the environmental impact of maritime assets and is actively engaged in initiatives aimed at closing the diversity gap within the maritime profession. His work reflects a deep dedication to innovation, inclusion, and excellence in maritime education and industry advancement.
- Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation from Massachusetts Maritime Academy
- Master of Science in Facilities Management from Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 2017
- USCG Unlimited Master License
- Commander in US Navy Reserves, and the SSMP Liaison at the Academy
- Twelve years sailing experience with SeaRiver Maritime (ExxonMobil) on Chemical, Product, and Crude oil Ships
- Sailed 6 months with California Maritime Academy as Senior Watch Officer, and ISM Compliance Officer
- Advanced Oil Tanker PIC endorsement, along with VSO ( Vessel Security Officer)
Dr. Samantha Montano is currently an associate professor of Emergency Management at the Academy. Montano does research on a variety of topics related to emergency management including disaster volunteerism, the role of the nonprofit sector in disaster, the relationship between emergency management and climate change, and the intersection of gender and disasters. In addition to research, she does science communication work and emergency management policy advocacy.
Current courses: Introduction to Emergency Management and Emergency Management Policy
Christian Petterson brings nearly two decades of maritime, commercial, financial, and operational leadership experience to Massachusetts Maritime Academy. A graduate of the Academy’s Marine Transportation program, he also holds a B.A. in History from the University of Rhode Island and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Trinity College Dublin.
His maritime operating experience includes ship handling, stability, dock / undock, dynamic positioning, regulatory compliance, and offshore wind construction. He has served as Chief Officer and Senior Dynamic Positioning Operator aboard Dynamic Positioning construction vessels supporting the Vineyard Wind and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind projects. He holds a USCG Master, 1600 GT, Oceans, Master of Towing, Oceans, Dynamic Positioning Operator, Unlimited (Nautical Institute) and a Second Mate Unlimited license.
Christian previously held several positions of increasing responsibility with ExxonMobil across marine chartering, supply, refining, and LNG and lubricants. His work took him throughout the United States, Asia, and the Middle East, where he led global and regional commercial, operational, planning, and organizational development teams and initiatives built around maximizing value capture and customer experience and minimizing total delivered cost.
He and his wife, Tracy are also co-founders of Woodle & Company, an adaptive apparel business created to help children like their son, who wear ankle foot orthotic braces. Over the last eight years, the company has improved accessible and affordable sock options for tens of thousands of children and families in North America and Europe.
Christian’s teaching philosophy is grounded in high standards, clear communication, curiosity, and the belief that people learn in different ways. He strives to help students understand both the “what” and the “why,” connect classroom learning with real world practice, and develop safe, competent mariners and thoughtful, capable leaders serving the maritime industry, the Commonwealth and the world for decades ahead.