Honorees for the Annual Scholarship and Awards Gala

Born: December 10, 1943, Honolulu, HI

Following graduation, I sailed in both the Merchant Marine and Navy for a couple of years.

I returned home, attended San Francisco State University, and obtained an MBA.

I went to work for Chevron as a Programmer in 1968, held various positions in Information Technology and Finance, retiring in 1998 as President of the Atlas Supply Co., a small Chevron subsidiary.

I then started my own consulting business, which I operated for several years before retiring again in 2004.

Charter Member of the CMAF; including past positions as Treasurer and V.P.

Helped deliver numerous donated boats from various So. Cal. Locations to the Acdemy Foundation.

Member of the Class of 1964 Library Endowment Team which raised in excess of $110K for the Class of 1964 Reserves Collection.

Established the “Bruce and Joan Hope Educational Endowment” in 2024, to provide financial aid to “Cadets studying for a Coast Guard License”.

I have been involved in supporting the Academy in one form or another for the past fifty years.  And, it has been a most rewarding experience.

Captain Samar Bannister, originally from a small town in Colorado, graduated in 2000 from Cal Maritime's Marine Transportation (MT) program. She launched her career aboard a fleet of Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) research vessels, conducting survey operations. Shortly after, she transitioned to the larger Watson Class LMSR RO-RO vessels, where she found her niche.

Seven years after completing her studies, she earned the rank of master mariner, holding an unlimited master's license — the highest qualification a seafarer can attain.

Captain Bannister spent more than 14 years navigating deep-sea routes with Maersk Line Ltd and Ocean Ships Inc., serving in both senior and junior roles. She worked in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and held senior leadership positions during Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) operations off the coast of Guatemala in 2007 and Lynnhaven, Virginia in 2008.

The final six years of Captain Bannister’s deep-sea service were spent as Commanding Officer of the USNS Soderman. In 2014, she transitioned shoreside to start a family and embark on a new chapter of her career. She began teaching USCG courses at the Maritime Institute when she learned of an opportunity at Cal Maritime. For the past two years, Captain Bannister has served as the Director of Marine Programs and Captain of on T/S Golden Bear.

 In her off time, she enjoys spending time with her daughter and husband swimming, hiking, biking and playing in the outdoors.

Sarah McDonald is the current Vice President of Vessel Construction and Repair at Hornblower Group. With a strong background in both engineering and business, she has successfully overseen some of the most notable projects in Hornblower’s recent history, including construction management of the new NYC Ferry fleet of 38 purpose-built vessels —an initiative that has revolutionized commuter transportation across New York City.

She also played a pivotal role in the construction of the first-ever hydrogen fuel cell-powered ferry in the United States, marking a significant milestone in the industry’s commitment to sustainable, green maritime solutions. Additionally, Sarah provided strategic leadership and oversight for Hornblower’s first crew transfer vessels built to support the offshore wind industry, helping position the company as a leader in this rapidly growing sector.

Sarah was also instrumental in the launch of Hornblower’s inaugural shipyard in Bridgeport, Connecticut. In this capacity, she developed and implemented efficient project management protocols, built operational procedures, and ensured that green initiatives were integrated into every aspect of construction and repair.

She holds an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from California State University, Maritime Academy, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Louisiana State University. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), underscoring her expertise in project execution, leadership, and process improvement.

With her combination of technical expertise, strategic leadership, and commitment to sustainability, Sarah continues to drive innovation in the maritime industry and ensure Hornblower Group’s position at the forefront of sustainable maritime transportation.

Captain Brad Westlund is the Vice President of Operations and Business Development at Stabbert Maritime. A graduate of Cal Maritime, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and a Master of Science in Transportation and Engineering Management. Over the course of his nearly two-decade maritime career, Brad has consistently demonstrated leadership, creativity, and professional growth.

Starting his career on the deck of tugs, Brad steadily advanced to Master, ultimately taking on his current role where he oversees ship operations and business development at Stabbert Maritime. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard Master’s license and has successfully managed complex maritime operations in both offshore and harbor environments. Brad’s adaptability and ability to deliver solutions that meet client needs have been central to his career success.

A dedicated supporter of Cal Maritime and the maritime community, Brad regularly participates in career programs aimed at introducing high school students to the industry, mentors at Maritime High School, and contributes to industry workshops. His past service on the Harbor Safety Committee of San Francisco Bay and current role as a board member of the Seattle Propeller Club highlight his commitment to fostering the next generation of maritime professionals and promoting industry innovation.

Brad’s leadership in creating efficient work environments and his active engagement with the maritime community embody the spirit of the Rising Star Award. Recognized by his peers for his contributions, he continues to inspire through his drive, innovation, and dedication to the maritime field.

Outside of work, Brad enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and daughter, balancing his professional commitments with quality time spent camping and boating.

 Elizabeth C. McNie is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Marine Transportation at California State University Maritime Academy where she also earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and Minor in Marine Engineering in 1994. She holds a USCG Second Mate License, Unlimited Tonnage and has sailed as an officer on oil tankers and deep-sea offshore oil-drilling rigs. Prior to enrolling at Cal Maritime, she worked in the Alaska fishing industry on a variety of fishing boats and supply vessels.

Dr. McNie earned a Ph.D. in Environmental Studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder with a concentration in Science Policy, and a Master of Arts degree in Psychology-Organization Development from Sonoma State University. She also received pre-doctoral fellowships from Harvard University and the National Science Foundation. She worked as an assistant professor at Purdue University and as a senior research scientist at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Currently, Dr. McNie teaches meteorology and sails aboard the T.S. Golden Bear, working as a deck officer and instructor for radar and simulation. She has served on more than 30 committees, task forces and working groups at Cal Maritime, and has received the Faculty Service Award and two Presidential Mission Achievement Awards. She loves giving back to her alma mater and teaching the next generation of mariners. When not working, she enjoys cooking, writing, and going overlanding.