Board of Directors

Chairman

Adam Vokac is President of the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (M.E.B.A) headquartered in Washington, D.C. Prior to his election as President, Mr. Vokac was the M.E.B.A.’s Executive Vice President serving at M.E.B.A.’s Union Hall in Oakland, CA. This was his second role as an official with M.E.B.A. having previously served as the union’s representative in the Port of Honolulu for three years.

Mr. Vokac graduated as Class Valedictorian in 2000 from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. He began his shipping career soon after graduation sailing with the Alaska Tanker Company. He continued his education at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and earned Master’s Degrees in both Mechanical Engineering and Ocean Systems Management.

Mr. Vokac has sailed on a wide array of vessel types and all propulsion modes, as well as has spent many years working aboard several Norwegian Cruise Line-America vessels, including the “Pride of America. ,” He aslo happens to have an Unlimited Horsepower Chief Engineer License!

Vice Chairman

Philip Shapiro is the President and CEO of Liberty Maritime Corporation, a New York-based ship management company founded in 1988. Liberty operates five U.S.-flag vessels, including three 52,000 DWT Supramax dry bulk carriers and two 6,000-unit Pure Car Truck Carriers (PCTC), while also managing four foreign-flag 82,000 DWT Kamsarmax bulk carriers. Before founding Liberty, he served for eight years as Vice President and General Counsel of Apex Marine Corporation, where he gained experience in ship management, operations, chartering, and maritime policy. He began his career as an associate attorney at a New York City law firm.

In 1994, during the Clinton Administration, Mr. Shapiro was selected as one of four industry representatives to serve on Secretary of Transportation Federico Peña’s Working Group on Maritime Reform. The group developed what became the Maritime Security Program, enacted into law in 1996. He has since served in numerous leadership roles across the maritime and nonprofit sectors, including as a member of the American Bureau of Shipping Board of Directors since 2009. He is also active with the Coast Guard Foundation, National Maritime Historical Society, American Maritime Congress, United Seamen’s Service, Hofstra University Law School, and Northwell Health System.

Mr. Shapiro has been widely recognized for his contributions to the U.S. and international shipping industry, his support for seafarers, and his commitment to education. His honors include the Admiral of the Ocean Sea Award from the United Seamen’s Service, the Outstanding Friend of Seafarers Award from Seafarers and International House, and the Distinguished Service Award from Hofstra University. Born in New York City, he earned a B.A. in Political Science from Columbia University in 1974 and a Juris Doctor from Hofstra University Law School in 1978.

Representative, M.E.B.A.

Roland “Rex” Rexha serves as the Secretary-Treasurer of the M.E.B.A., a position he has held for the past four years. He has been a member of the M.E.B.A. family for 20 years. His maritime career includes working for over a decade with the Staten Island Ferries, where he successfully settled one of the largest prevailing wage cases in New York City history.

Prior to his time with the ferries, Rex sailed as an engineer on Deep-Sea vessels for the Union, gaining experience with notable companies such as Interlake, Central Gulf, APL, Keystone, and Patriot. He is a proud recipient of the Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal, having earned it twice. Additionally, Rex is currently the youngest sitting Vice President on the AFL-CIO's Executive Council. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering from the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

Representative, Maersk Line, Limited

Ed Hanley is Chief Operating Officer of Maersk Line, Limited (MLL). With four decades of maritime industry experience, he has held executive positions in labor relations, ship management, ship repair, commercial operations, chartering, and government contracts. Since joining MLL in 2005, he has played a key leadership role in overseeing operations for one of the nation’s leading U.S.-flag shipping companies.

Prior to joining MLL, Mr. Hanley served as Director of Fleet Engineering for U.S. Ship Management, Inc., where he oversaw nineteen U.S.-flag container ships chartered to Maersk. Before that, he spent 15 years with Sea-Land Service, where his final role was General Manager of Vessel Operations. He also served as President and Managing Director of InterSea Operations Ltd., a Bermuda-based Sea-Land subsidiary that owned 23 foreign-flag containerships, and held the position of Director of Chartering Services, managing more than 60 ships under time charter.

Mr. Hanley serves as Secretary of the M.E.B.A. Benefit Plans and is a Trustee of the MMP, AMO, and SIU health and welfare benefit plans. He is Vice Chairman of the American Maritime Association and Vice Chairman of American Maritime Officer Services, while also serving on the Advisory Board of Seafarers International House and the Board of United Seaman’s Service. A member of ABS and corporate officer of Maersk Line, Limited and Farrell Lines, he holds an Executive MBA from Queens University in Charlotte and a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, where he also earned dual U.S. Coast Guard licenses and a commission in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

Representative, M.E.B.A.

Jason Callahan has served as M.E.B.A.’s Atlantic Coast Vice President since 2017 working out of the Union’s NY/NJ Union hall. A graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Jason earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering in 1999. He initially sailed with Military Sealift Command (MSC) supporting U.S. Navy Special Operations.

After completing his time with MSC in 2000, Jason shipped out of the hall with the M.E.B.A. on a variety of vessels, eventually earning his Chief Engineer’s license. He served as a Merchant Marine Officer with the United States Navy Reserve and was honorably discharged as a Lieutenant after 10 years of service. Jason sailed as a permanent with Matson Navigation onboard the M/V MAUNAWILI for four years, before bringing his years of expertise ashore to serve the membership as an official.

Representative, Matson

Capt. John “Jack” Sullivan was promoted to senior vice president, vessel operations and engineering at Matson Navigation Company, Inc. and named senior vice president of parent company Matson, Inc. in February 2021. He is responsible for overseeing the evolution and management of Matson’s fleet, vessel operations and engineering, and offshore labor relations. In addition, oversees the activities of Matson’s Safety, Quality, Environment and Security department.

Jack joined Matson in 1993 as a vessel master. He transferred shoreside as vessel manager in 1997 and was promoted to director, vessel operations and offshore labor relations in 1998. In 2003, he was promoted to vice president, vessel operations and in 2015 was appointed vice president, vessel operation and engineering. Prior to joining Matson, Jack sailed as a licensed deck officer aboard a wide variety of large deep draft U.S. flag ocean vessels.

Jack holds a bachelor’s degree in Marine Transportation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. He also holds a Master’s license for Steam & Motor Vessels of unlimited tonnage, as well as First Class Harbor Pilot licenses for the Hawaii ports of Kawaihae and Kahului. He is a former chairman of the board and current director of the National Cargo Bureau and a member of the Council of American Master Mariners and the American Bureau of Shipping. In 2018, Jack was appointed to the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC) by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao.

Representative, The Interlake Steamship Company

William M. Thornton is Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Interlake Steamship Company, the largest privately held shipping company on the Great Lakes.

Since assuming the leadership role of Chief Financial Officer in the fall of 2014, Bill has brought his extensive financial acumen to The Interlake Steamship Company. As Chief Financial Officer, Bill manages Interlake’s financial and banking relationships, and analyzes all financial aspects and drivers of the organization using his comprehensive understanding of operational processes.

Prior to his current position with Interlake, Bill was a Senior Director and Business Unit Controller at Cliffs Natural Resources, an international mining and minerals focused company. During his six years at Cliffs, he was responsible for financial oversight of the North American Coal business unit as well as various non-business unit projects that included oil & gas, South American iron ore, Iron Nuggets, renewaFUEL, mergers & acquisitions, and union negotiations. Bill graduated from The Ohio State University in 1992 with a BSBA in accounting.

Representative, M.E.B.A.

Nicole Greenway is M.E.B.A.’s Branch Agent in Tampa. She graduated from Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City MI and has sailed out of M.E.B.A. halls on the East and Gulf Coast as an engineer for various companies on a variety of deep-sea vessels. Nicole brings enthusiasm, strong organizational skills, and a deep commitment to fight for the rights and wages of our membership. She decided to run for office to deliver the level of service and representation our members deserve.

Representative, Patriot Contract Services

Ryan Libhart became the Principal and CEO of PCS on October 1, 2019. As CEO he is responsible for strategically managing the operations and resources of Patriot, making major corporate decisions, and seeking new business opportunities.

Ryan is a California Maritime Academy graduate who sailed with Patriot not long after graduation. He has a strong background in the commercial maritime industry and deep technical knowledge, including a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from RWTH Aachen Technical University, in Aachen, Germany. Over the last 15 years, he has held positions of increasing responsibility with APL and Eagle Bulk Shipping.

Representative, M.E.B.A.

Adam Smith is the M.E.B.A.’s Gulf Coast Vice President working out of the Union’s Houston, Texas hall. He previously served as M.E.B.A.’s Branch Agent in the union’s Tampa hall where he supported members and focused much of his attention in building activism and involvement in Charleston, Jacksonville, and Tampa. He serves on the Board of Trustees for the M.E.B.A. Benefit Plans as well as the American Maritime Congress.

Mr. Smith graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 2009 with a B.S. degree in Marine Systems Engineering. He earned his First Engineer’s license at the age of 24 and his Chief’s license when he was 28 years old. Adam started in his current position in 2021 and is recognized by the rank-and-file as an equitable advocate for M.E.B.A. member rights and responsibilities on the ships served by the union.

Representative, M.E.B.A.

Max Alper is the Union’s Executive Vice President, elected to the position in 2024. A 2010 graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, he shipped out on a variety of vessels, first on the Great Lakes and later deep-sea. His acumen for the job and dedication to the Union were noticed and he was appointed as the Patrolman at the Oakland hall in 2017 where he brought energy and a high-level of service to our membership.

During his eight years in that capacity, he immersed himself into the work and distinguished himself as a shrewd negotiator, while heading up innovative ways to modernize and streamline the shipping experience for members. He is part of the M.E.B.A. District Executive Committee (DEC), the Union’s governing board, and serves as a Trustee for the M.E.B.A. Trusts and sub-trusts as well as the American Maritime Congress.