Welcome Aboard: New Team Members at CME-Houston
SCI’s Center for Maritime Education welcomed two new team members to its Houston, Texas, location in September.
We are pleased to introduce the newest members of our team, whose work will support SCI’s mission to equip mariners with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate safely and confidently. Meet them below and join us in giving them a warm welcome.
Dr. Oleksandr “Alex” Pipchenko joins CME-Houston as Test Director and Simulator Instructor, bringing more than a decade at sea as a Master Mariner and over 15 years in maritime education.
Formerly Chair of the Safety of Navigation Department at the National University “Odesa Maritime Academy,” Alex holds a Ph.D. and Doctor of Engineering in Navigation and Traffic Control and has authored more than 50 publications on navigation and simulator training.
He will lead CME’s navigation feasibility studies, working with pilots, masters, ports, and engineering partners to evaluate proposed channels, terminals, and maneuvers on its full-mission ship bridge simulator.
Alex will also teach in CME’s simulator training programs, drawing on his operational experience and research expertise to help make waterways safer for working mariners.
Capt. Joshua “Josh” Puckett joins CME-Houston as an Instructor, bringing more than 30 years on the water and over a decade of U.S. Army service, including maritime roles as a harbor master and captain of amphibious landing craft.
His civilian career includes captain positions with TxDOT’s Galveston Ferries and Kirby Inland Marine, and most recently, service as a relief captain with Blessey.
A licensed Master of Towing Vessels and USCG Designated Examiner, Josh also brings years of experience training and mentoring mariners.
In the classroom and on CME’s full-mission bridge simulators, he will draw on that experience to help mariners strengthen their navigation, boat handling, and decision-making skills.
As CME continues to expand its team and capabilities, Alex and Josh bring valuable experience to our work advancing maritime training and waterway safety. We look forward to the contributions they will make in Houston and the impact of their work on the mariners we serve. Please join us in welcoming them to the SCI family!