Captain Fink has served on the faculty of Maritime College since 2007. He is a tenured Professor in the Department of Marine Transportation, Navigation, Nautical Science and Marine Operations. Captain Fink served in multiple college administrative and governance positions. From 2016-2024 Captain Fink was appointed by the Secretary of Homeland Security to serve on the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee - MERPAC (renamed the National Merchant Marine Personnel Committee - NMERPAC). During that period, he also chaired the Maritime Academy Council comprised of representatives from all seven U.S. maritime academies and attended multiple International Maritime Organization (IMO) meetings in London, UK as a member of the U.S. Delegation, or as a member of the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU). Captain Fink also currently serves as the Faculty Advisor to the Coast Guard Club and Auxiliary University Program (AUP).
Before returning to Maritime College as an alum, Captain Fink served in a variety of executive, management and technical positions with the United States Coast Guard for nearly 32 years. His assignments included Captain-of-the Port, Officer-in-Charge, Marine Inspection, Commander Coast Guard Forces, Federal On-Scene Coordinator and Commanding Officer of the National Maritime Center during 9-11, Hurricane Katrina and the centralization of the Merchant Marine Licensing Program to Martinsburg, WV.
- B.S. in Meteorology and Oceanography, SUNY Maritime College
- M.S. in International Transportation Management, SUNY Maritime College
- Since 2016, represents state maritime academies on the federal Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee
Before joining Maritime College, Captain Fink served in a variety of executive, management and technical positions with the United States Coast Guard for nearly 32 years. He is a recognized leader in maritime safety and security. During his Coast Guard career, Captain Fink served as Captain of the Port, Officer-in-Charge, Marine Inspection, Commander Coast Guard Forces and Federal On-Scene Coordinator leading international, national and regional level programs. He also served for seven years as Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center, managing and supervising more than 500 military, civilian and contractor personnel with a budget in excess of $21 million to administer the Coast Guard’s Merchant Marine Licensing and Documentation Program. Prior to his tour in Washington, DC, Captain Fink served as Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Office, Pittsburgh, PA, and as Chief, Merchant Vessel Safety Branch in Boston, MA.
- President's and Dean's Award for Service
- Several Public Service Awards from the U.S. Coast Guard
- Multiple Military Awards while serving on active duty
- MTO-112 - STCW Basic Training to Freshmen
- MTO-310 – Shipyard Management to Engineers
Numerous articles and publications over the past 50 years.