- Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation from United States Merchant Marine Academy, 1985
- J.D. from Temple University, 1993
- USCG Unlimited Master License
- 15 years sailing experience on various merchant marine vessels, 12 years experience working shoreside in a shipping company office.
- Member of the Nautical Institute
Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 1994 Master of Science in Emergency Management, Massachusetts Maritime Academy 2016, USCG Unlimited Chief Mate , 1600 Ton Master's
Brian J. Connor - Bio
Brian is currently in his 9th year as a member of the Board of Trustees at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, appointed by Governor Baker for two consecutive terms. During his tenure, he has served as Board Chairman for the past three years as well as Chair of the Facilities & Finance Committee, Audit and Governance Committee, and currently serves as Chair of the Education Committee.
Brian began his career as an EMT at age 19, following his graduation from the Northeastern University EMT Program in 1979. He was hired as an EMT for Armstrong Ambulance Service, one of the oldest family-owned businesses in Massachusetts. He served in many clinical and managerial positions throughout the next 26 years, ultimately serving as the Chief Executive Officer for the last ten years while employed at Armstrong.
On April 25, 2006, Brian established LifeLine Ambulance Service. LifeLine quickly became one of the largest privately-owned ambulance companies in New England, with 13 offices located throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire, 400 employees, and a fleet of more than 160 vehicles. Collectively, LifeLine transported over 350 patients each day. LifeLine was awarded the “Pacesetters” award from the Boston Business Journal in April 2013 and was featured in the Boston Business Journal on January 25, 2013. On July 1, 2015, LifeLine and its subsidiaries were sold to Kaymlon Capitol. Brian remained on as a Senior Advisor and Consultant and retired on January 1, 2017.
During his 38-year career in EMS, Brian also served as President of the Massachusetts Ambulance Association for 14 years, served on many local and state EMS committees and advisory boards, and founded the “Emergency Medical Coalition of Ambulance Providers” in 2002. EMCAP became a nationwide organization advocating at the federal level for what is now known as the Nationwide Medicare Fee Schedule Program.
During his time at LifeLine, he employed many MMA Cadets. This relationship progressed into the founding of the MA Maritime EMS Service in 2012, a cadet-operated class one ambulance service. LifeLine donated the first Class One and Class Five ambulances, as well as an EMS golf cart. MMA-EMS is the only college-based, 100% student-run ambulance service in Massachusetts and one of only a few nationwide.
MMA EMS Cadets, certified as EMTs, provide emergency and non-emergency coverage to the Academy’s campus, responding to and transporting injured or ill persons directly to local hospitals. In recognition of his leadership and service, Brian was awarded the Massachusetts Maritime Medal of Valor by Admiral Richard Gurnon on June 13, 2013.
In 2018, through a $100,000 grant from the Connor Family, MMA-EMS purchased a new ambulance and expanded coverage beyond campus. In recognition of his continued leadership and support, Brian was named an “Honorary Member of the Regiment” and awarded a second Medal of Valor by Admiral Francis McDonald in 2019.
Aside from EMS, Brian serves on many boards and foundations. He is a former Scoutmaster and Eagle Scout and was recognized for his service by the Boston Council Boy Scouts. He is also an advocate for public housing and currently serves as Chairman of the Arlington Housing Authority, appointed by Governors Romney and Baker.
Brian continued his education following retirement, completing four additional master’s degrees (five total) and attending his first year of law school. He also holds a Master 100-ton Captain’s License from the USCG and founded the Massachusetts School of Boating, where he instructs novice boat owners.
As the first official “Triple Buc” at MMA, he hopes to enroll in the future Doctorate Program in Maritime Strategy & Security currently being pursued by the Academy.
Brian resides in Arlington with his wife Michele and their two children, Elizabeth and Patrick.
2018 Graduate of Emergency Management MMA Program. In 2015, retired Deep Sea Master, Served as Master aboard M/V Maersk Arkansas in the Eastern Mediterranean container feeder service. Responsibilities included overall command, safe and efficient operation of vessel, navigation, crew management and ensuring vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag state policies. Managed ship's accounting, payrolls, and inventories. Also, safe docking and undocking of vessel when pilots unable or incompetent to do so in Port Said, Egypt.Served as Master aboard M/V Maersk Arkansas in the Baltic Sea and Northern Europe. Vessel was tasked to transport US and NATO military equipment and supplies bound for Afghanistan via Port of Riga Latvia and Klaipeda Lithuania. As Master, responsible for safe navigation when transiting the Kiel Canal twice a week on routine service without incident. The Kiel Canal, at 62 miles long, is the most congested canal in the world with the highest amount of vessel accidents. Also, had to maneuver around ice flow during harsh Baltic winters. Currently, Associate Professor teaching Bridge Resource Management to First Class Deck Cadets in FMSS 360 in prepping them for maritime industry
- Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 1984
- Master's in Higher Education Administration, American International College, 2012
- Retired after 24 years in industry on various vessels tankers, dredges, ferries, OSV deep sea tugs and barges, Master of Tow and Master on Articulated Tug barge units.
- USCG Designated Examiner, Train-the-Trainer Certification
LT. Zachary Dias graduated from Mass. Maritime in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Transportation. Upon graduation sailed in the US Merchant Marine for nearly a decade with the US Navy’s Military Sealift Command earning his Unlimited Masters License - his professional sailing experience is aboard Combat Logistics Force Dry Cargo/Ammo ships, and primarily, US Navy Ocean-going Tugs and Salvage & Rescue vessels where he completed several open-ocean tows, real world salvage missions, Dry Docking, and Multi-point anchorings. Notably, was apart of the crew completing the successful salvaging of cargo ship EL FARO’s Voyage Data Recorder in 2016.
LT. Dias also served as a USCG Maritime Instructor, with Military Sealift Command, in which he taught USCG STCW courses, created MSC towing curriculum, and Anti-Terrorism Officer courses.
LT. Dias joined the MMA faculty in 2022 where he completed a Masters Degree in Maritime Business Management and pursues a career in the Navy Reserve Strategic Sealift Officer Force.
LT. Dias is a Master of Unlimited Tonnage Upon Oceans, Master of Towing Vessels Oceans, USCG Designated Examiner, USCG Qualified Instructor and a member of the Maritime & Port Executors.
LT. Dias volunteers his time with the youth program US Naval Sea Cadet Corps where he teaches/mentors young men and women who have an interest in the sea services.