Todd Hiller
Annapolis
Summary
I am a licensed professional naval architect with over 30 years of experience providing exceptional team leadership, project management, engineering expertise and worldwide logistics support skills. Outstanding team leader who thrives in an environment of uncertainty and is laser focused solving complicated situations with simplified solutions. Strategically minded and operationally adept.
Dedicated maritime industry professional with a history of meeting company goals utilizing consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director
AMERICAN BUREAU OF SHIPPING
Washington, D.C.
05.2025 - Current
- As Director of Global Government Services at the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), leads a global division delivering classification and technical advisory services to government maritime organizations, ensuring compliance with international and national standards. Develops and executes strategies supporting the full lifecycle of government fleets, from design through decommissioning, focused on safety, reliability, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance. Oversees certification and verification processes while leveraging ABS Group’s safety, risk, and data analytics capabilities to deliver risk-informed, data-driven solutions and support the adoption of emerging maritime technologies. Manages and mentors a multidisciplinary team of experts and builds strategic partnerships with government, industry, and technology stakeholders to advance innovation, modernization, and best practices in government maritime programs.
Director, GS-15
MARITIME ADMINISTRATION
Washington, D.C.
06.2022 - 05.2025
- Director of the Office of Shipyards and Marine Engineering, managing the Small Shipyard Grant Program, supporting 154 private shipyards across 29 states to promote economic security and the maritime industrial base. Lead efforts in grant awards inspiring modernization, productivity, job creation, and evolving technologies in shipbuilding and offshore wind projects. Additionally, supervised Title XI technical reviews, assignments for the strategic sealift fleet, and general naval architecture and marine engineering tasks within the agency, enhancing efficiency, safety, and workforce development, resulting in significant job creation, economic growth, and contributions to the nation's transportation system.
Naval Architect, GS-14
MARITIME ADMINISTRATION
Washington, D.C.
10.2020 - 06.2022
- Team leader and member in the Office of Shipyards and Marine Engineering, managed over $10 million in small shipyard grant funds for 15 U.S. shipyards and provided engineering expertise for school ship conversions and SOLAS compliance. Reviewed technical designs for commercial ships and collaborated with the U.S. shipbuilding industry on projects related to high-speed technology and ship structures. Served on the Technical Evaluation Team (TET) for the Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) for the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) and prepared GAP analysis packages for maritime academy school ships to ensure compliance with SPS SOLAS regulations. Managed small shipyard grants in 2013, 2016-2018, and conducted surveys of MARAD vessels to develop deck drawings and CargoMax stability packages for the ICODES program.
Officer in Charge, Captain
UNITED STATES NAVY, COMNAVCENT, C5F
Bahrain
10.2020 - 08.2021
- Active-Duty Navy Reservist and Officer in Charge (OIC) for NAVCENT Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS), managed risk for fleet commanders by ensuring the safe passage of merchant vessels through situational awareness and communication. Daily engagement with U.S. Merchant Vessels in the NAVCENT region, the Royal Navy’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), and NCAGS, following established reporting protocols. Provided subject matter expertise during the M/S EVER GIVEN grounding in the Suez Canal, coordinating with Egyptian authorities, and securing support to facilitate the canal's reopening. Additionally, offered guidance during the M/T AGARI, M/T POLA, and M/V HELIOS RAY incidents to reduce risks and expedite forensic investigations.
Defense Liaison Officer (LNO), GS-15
MARITIME ADMINISTRATION
Washington, D.C.
08.2019 - 09.2020
- Served a one-year detail with the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Office of the Supply and Distribution (J4) as a strategic sealift expert. Facilitated communication between key stakeholders, including SECNAV, USTRANSCOM, OPNAV N42, MARAD, OSD-CAPE, and the Joint Staff, on strategic sealift acquisition and recapitalization. Advised the Joint Staff/J4 on the operational status of the Agency’s various fleets and briefed them on sealift readiness gaps and the need for fleet recapitalization. Coordinated communication regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the maritime sector, contributed to updating the Joint Logistics Doctrine Library, and actively participated in the Joint Mobilization Center of Learning to highlight the importance of strategic sealift for total mobilization efforts.
Naval Architect, GS-13
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
Baltimore, MD
07.2010 - 11.2012
- Team leader within the Naval Architecture Section of the Surface Forces Logistics Center (SFLC), providing engineering services and standards for all U.S. Coast Guard vessels. Prepared the Inland River tender Emergency Sustainment Project (IRESP), analyzing vessel classes and assessing the most cost-effective solutions for buoy tenders and barges, including a comprehensive cost study and Business Case Analysis (BCA) for a 31-year period. Services included feasibility studies, retrofits, and design issue analysis, such as stability and maneuvering. Developed statements of work, cost estimates, and technical specifications for design contractors, and served as a technical evaluator for vessel life extensions. Additionally, contributed to a report analyzing options for a $49.2 million U.S. Coast Guard funding initiative, which led to the procurement of the Fast Response Craft (FRC).
Officer in Charge, Commander
UNITED STATES NAVY, ECRC, ASA Dix
Dix, NJ
06.2009 - 07.2010
- Mobilized Navy Reservist with the Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center (ECRC) at ASA Dix Army base, served as the Officer in Charge for the 72nd Field Artillery Brigade. He provided oversight for the administrative processing, equipping, deployment, and combat training of Navy and Coast Guard Individual Augmentees (IA), Ad-Hoc individuals, and provisional units deploying for non-traditional expeditionary missions supporting the Global War on Terrorism.
Naval Architect, GS-12
MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND
Washington, D.C.
04.2004 - 03.2005
- Integral team member in the Engineering Division, providing technical and engineering services for various naval architectural assignments for all Military Sealift Command (MSC) vessels. Lead Inspector advising modifications for fleet tankers (T-AO) to enhance Engine Control Room fire protection, surveyed and recommended retrofits for the Chief of Naval Operations Barge to reduce noise and vibrations, and participated in the design evaluation team for the COBRA JUDY (USNS OBSERVATION ISLAND replacement). Lead surveyor recommending structural damage modifications for the MPF-E USNS ROY M. WHEAT. Additionally, prepared statements of work, weight estimates, and provided technical guidance to design contractors for MSC ships.
Senior Systems Engineer
OAK MANAGEMENT, Inc.
Alexandria, Virginia
11.2001 - 03.2004
- As part of a small business government contracting company, delivered project management and ship systems engineering support, including design review, stability analysis, weights management, and arrangement assessments. Assignments included projects such as the NOAA Fisheries Research Vessel (FRV40), the Integrated Computer Deployment System (ICODES) for loading military cargo using CargoMax software, and conceptual design packages for pilot boats for the Delaware Bay & River Pilots’ Association and the Brunswick Bar Pilots’ Association. Supported the Enhanced Damage Control Action Management System (eDCAMS) by providing AutoCAD drawings for Navy and Marine Corps vessels.
Project Naval Architect
KVAERNER MASA MARINE
Annapolis, Maryland
07.1996 - 11.2001
- Currently known as Vard Engineering, provided professional marine design and engineering technology services to clients across North and Central America, managing projects for both military and commercial sectors. Conducted stability assessments, speed power predictions, and arrangements for the Landing Craft Utility (LCU(R)) Sea Sled Concept Design and completed the hull fairing portion of a conversion design package for a 300,000 BBL tanker. As project manager for a $500K Office of Naval Research (ONR) concept design project, he collaborated with two major U.S. shipyards and a leading waterjet manufacturer. Also delivered naval architectural design efforts for a 150-foot car/passenger ferry for the State of Maine, a 1000-passenger RORO cruise vessel for Transoceanic Quebec, and a 1500 TEU high-speed container liner (BathMax 1500). Additionally, developed a high-speed sealift trimaran concept hull form, optimizing the design through extensive model testing at the David Taylor Model Basin for the Center of Commercial Development of Transportation Technologies (CCDoTT).
Education
Master of Art - National Security and Strategic Studies
Navy War College
Newport, Rhode Island01-2015
Bachelor of Engineering - Naval Architecture
SUNY Maritime College
Bronx, New York01-1993
Skills
- Relationship building
- Strategic planning
- Verbal and written communication
- Decision-making
Certification
- US Coast Guard Third Mates Unlimited License
- US Navy Reserve Merchant Marine Reserve Commissioned Officer, Captain (Ret.)
- Professional Engineer, Maryland: 37725, South Carolina: 29841 & Florida: 89942
- Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME)
- American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE)
- American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
- Ship Structure Committee (SSC)
- National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
- American Boat Yacht Council Standards & Marine Systems Certification, ABYC
Timeline
Director
AMERICAN BUREAU OF SHIPPING
05.2025 - Current
Director, GS-15
MARITIME ADMINISTRATION
06.2022 - 05.2025
Naval Architect, GS-14
MARITIME ADMINISTRATION
10.2020 - 06.2022
Officer in Charge, Captain
UNITED STATES NAVY, COMNAVCENT, C5F
10.2020 - 08.2021
Defense Liaison Officer (LNO), GS-15
MARITIME ADMINISTRATION
08.2019 - 09.2020
Naval Architect, GS-13
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
07.2010 - 11.2012
Officer in Charge, Commander
UNITED STATES NAVY, ECRC, ASA Dix
06.2009 - 07.2010
Naval Architect, GS-12
MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND
04.2004 - 03.2005
Senior Systems Engineer
OAK MANAGEMENT, Inc.
11.2001 - 03.2004
Project Naval Architect
KVAERNER MASA MARINE
07.1996 - 11.2001
Bachelor of Engineering - Naval Architecture
SUNY Maritime College
Master of Art - National Security and Strategic Studies
Navy War College
Publications, Presentations and Awards
Author: Center for International Maritime Security; Solutions to Revitalizing America’s Strategic Sealift, June 2021, USNI Proceedings; Ensuring Maritime Security in a Contested Domain, May 2021, SeaPower Magazine; Communications, Information Sharing Seen as Critical for Middle East Shipping Security, Mar 2021, USNI Proceedings; Strategic Sealift Officers Provide Critical Support, Jan 2020, SNAME Technical and Research (T&R) 9-1, Standard Guide for Conducting Small Boat Air-Inclining Stability Test, 2015, ASTM F3052-14; Standard Guide for Conducting Small Boat Stability Test (Lightweight Survey and Air Incline Experiment) to Determine Lightcraft Weight and Centers of Gravity of a Small Craft, 2014,
Presenter: Keynote Speaker for Marine Log Ship Repair USA Conference, The Maritime Administrations Support Programs for U.S. Shipyards & Operators, Jun 2024, International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) Stakeholders Conference, Beyond Guidance Assuring Freedom of Navigation in a Contested Maritime Domain, Feb 2021, Chesapeake Powerboat Symposium, Standard Guide for Conducting Small Boat Air-Inclining Stability Test, 2014, Multi Agency Craft Conference (MACC), Stability Standards for Military & Paramilitary Small Craft, 2011,
Awards: Legion of Merit (2 awards) U.S. Navy, 2021 & 2024; Government Shipbuilders Council Team- DOT Team Award, 2024; U.S. Military Reservist Service Award, 2024; ASTM John Haas Memorial Award, 2014; USCG Unit Commendation (SFLC), 2011; Bronze deFleury Medal (Army Engineer Association), 2010; USCG (ELC) CO’s Award for Quality & Leadership, 2007; ASNE Award: ADM. Lucas Plaque Award (ELC Engineering Divisions), 2006; USCG Commandant Letter of Commendation, Hurricane Katrina, 2005