Admiral's Dinner 2022
On Tuesday, September 20, 2022, the Admiral's Dinner will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Marina Del Rey in Throggs Neck, Bronx, NY.
The annual Admiral's Dinner is one of the most anticipated networking and funding evets among the maritime community. Thanks to our honorees and guests, this annual Dinner has become the College’s main vehicle for raising significant scholarship support for outstanding current and future Maritime College students. Last academic year alone, the College awarded over $1 million in scholarships of which over half was raised at the Admiral’s Dinner.
Honorees
Kevin Collins '96
Partner, MCA Associates
Born and raised on City Island in the Bronx, Kevin Collins is a proud Maritime College alumnus from the class of 1996. Throughout Kevin’s maritime career, he has worked within the “Jones Act” industry. He began his career with Amerada Hess working for Moran Towing Corporation, Premcor Refining Company, and Overseas Shipholding Group in their Chartering Division.
For the past 11 years, Kevin has been a U.S. Flag Tanker Broker with MCA Associates, Inc. Rising to the top of that industry, Kevin learned that brokering requires a highly personalized approach to each partnership. At MCA, Kevin uses his expertise to provide integral information and support to all parties involved in a contractual agreement.
As a member of the “Blue Water Scholarship Fund,” Kevin is proud to support Maritime cadets who experience personal and financial hardship. The organization hosts frequent fundraising events throughout the year. According to Kevin, he finds great satisfactions assisting a young person in whatever way, large or small, to be able to graduate from Maritime College and walk out into a world of golden opportunity.
Boriana Farrar
Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Patriot Contract Services LLC (PCS)
As Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Patriot Contract Services LLC (PCS), Boriana Farrar brings 17 years of legal experience to PCS's senior leadership team where she is also a part of its executive team. Before joining PCS, Boriana was a Vice President, Senior Claims Executive and Counsel at the American P&I Club in New York. Before joining the Club, Ms. Farrar was a partner at Hill Betts & Nash LLP, a prominent New York maritime law firm. Ms. Farrar holds a master’s degree in Admiralty & Maritime Law from Tulane Law School and another master’s degree in International Law from the University of San Diego School of Law. She has international background, having pursued her legal studies not only in the U.S. but also in her native Bulgaria, the U.K., and the Netherlands. In addition to her native language, she is fluent in English, Russian, and German.
In addition to serving as immediate past president of WISTA USA, Ms. Farrar is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) and immediate past chair of the SCI’s Development Committee. She is also a former board member of the Maritime Law Association of United States (MLA) and current Chair of MLA’s International Conventions and Standards Committee. She serves as a trustee on the boards of the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association (MEBA), International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P). Furthermore, Ms. Farrar was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the American P&I Club.
Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) USA
WISTA USA, founded in 1997, is among the largest National WISTA Associations (NWAs) worldwide, with nearly 700 members spread across eleven regional chapters. It’s parent association, WISTA International, was formed in 1974, is a global networking organization connecting female executives and decision-makers around the world. With more than 3,800 members in 54 countries, WISTA’s mission is to attract and support women, at the management level, in the maritime, trading and logistics sectors.
WISTA USA welcomes members of all genders who support a diverse and inclusive maritime industry. Internationally, WISTA works toward minimizing the existing gender leadership gap in the maritime, trading and logistics sectors; building a community among its members; facilitating the exchange of contacts, information, and experiences; promoting the creation of business relationships among its members; facilitating the professional development of its members; and providing liaison with other related institutions and organizations worldwide. WISTA promotes diversity in the maritime, trading and logistics sectors, empowering women to lead through their unique perspective and competencies, with the conviction that gender diversity is key in providing a sustainable future for the shipping industry internationally.
Members of WISTA represent all facets of the maritime industry, including shipowners, charterers, operators, brokers, bankers, insurance professionals, attorneys, analysts, and government officials. WISTA USA is led by its newly appointed President; Christina Liviakis Gianopulos, a member of the New York State Governor’s appointed SUNY Maritime College Council. Ms. Liviakis Gianopulos succeeds Admiral’s Dinner honoree and immediate past president of WISTA USA Boriana Farrar. Current members of the WISTA USA Board of Directors include: Jillian Tobias, President, LogOn Media Strategies (Vice-President); Alexandra Anagositis-Irons, President, Total Marine Solutions (WISTA International Secretary); Jeanne Grasso, Partner, Blank Rome; Marlene Boyer, Global Commercial Manager, Stolt Tankers USA (SUNY Maritime 1999); Parker Harrison, Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Crowley Maritime Corporation; Kate Belmont, Assistant General Counsel, ABS; Caitlin Hardy, Vice President, Programs, Kongsberg Maritime; Meredith Kirby, General Counsel, International Registries, Inc.; and Anna Silva, Operations Supervisor, Port Everglades of Broward County (SUNY Maritime 1998).
Registration
To attend the Admiral's Dinner in NYC, Register here.
To attend the Admiral's Dinner event in HOUSTON, Register here.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Become a sponsor of this year's event by selecting from various sponsorship and underwriting opportunities of advertise in the Dinner Journal.
Donate
To make a donation to the Admiral’s Dinner fund and help students in need, please donate here.
Thank you for your support!