Sean Holt Takes Charge as KP Singapore Chapter Celebrates Second Birthday

Image courtesy Katie Harding

SINGAPORE – The United States Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (USMMAAF) Singapore Chapter celebrated its two year anniversary in 2014, and on May 14^th the leadership was passed from chapter president Benson Peretti, ’04 – and VP John Sicinski, ’01 to Sean Holt, ’03 – President and Scott Johnson, ’01, respectively.

The Singapore chapter of the alumni association is poised to become the leading organization for the maritime and offshore community in Singapore. This special event was held overlooking the beautiful Marina Bay at ME@OUE rooftop with a first-class view and service to match.  Liberty Spirits Asia Pte Ltd, who sell American spirits here in Singapore in cooperation with our friends at City Nomads, graciously sponsored several bottles of American-made whiskey that were given away to our guests in a lucky draw. (Photos by Katie Harding)

We were honored by senior industry and government guests representing the U.S. Embassy, Military Sealift Command, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, American Bureau of Shipping, American Chamber of Commerce, Trade Winds, LinkedIn, and Expedia.

During this year’s anniversary event, Charles Brown was awarded status an Honorary USMMA Alumnus for his extensive work as Military Sealift Command Far East’s Operational Support Officer. During Charlie’s time as MSCFE OSO here in Singapore, he has gone to great lengths to utilize Merchant Marine Reservists (SSO and SSRG, 1665 designator Naval Reservists) in military exercises in the Pacific during their annual training. The MSC community has found great benefit in having maritime grads contribute their civilian knowledge and expertise to the MSC mission and the merchant marine reserve program has been injected with new relevance with such high participation in mission specific exercises in theater. 

Since its establishment in 2012, the chapter has grown from a few Merchant Marine Academy Alumni into a group of over 50 members representing not only the Merchant Marine Academy, but all the major maritime schools in the United States.  This truly global maritime networking group includes in its membership the industry’s largest companies and organizations. 

The chapter thanks its outgoing officers for their hard work and dedication in creating this new chapter and the incoming officers look forward to picking up where they left off. 

Officer Titles:

• Benson Peretti, ’04 – General Manager for the Liberian Registry in Singapore.
• John Sicinski, ’01 – Senior Surveyor for ABS transferring to Geoje, South Korea.
• Sean Holt, ’03 – Surveyor/ Auditor for ABS in Singapore. Currently working on his Master’s degree
• In an Executive MBA dual degree program with NUS & UCLA.
• Scott Johnson, ’01 – Executive Business Analyst for ABS in Singapore.

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The USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation is the 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization established for the benefit of the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation coordinates alumni, parent and midshipmen activities and provides numerous services and benefits to graduates, organizations, parents, friends and family.   USMMA alumni, parents, organizations and friends worldwide support the USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation through their participation in our many events and their lifelong connection to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.  The Singapore chapter was founded in 2012 and is the fastest growing overseas chapter in the USMMA Alumni Association network.  

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