Board Members

Sitting (left to right) Lucienne C. Bulow, Comr., James E. Mercante, President, William M. Rowland, Comr., Standing (left to right) Richard J. Hendrick, Sr., Comr.; Andrew J. Garger, Exec. Director; Jeffrey C. Loechner, Comr.; Jennifer Gillooley, Office Administrator; Joseph F. Ahlstrom, Comr.

Board membership is restricted to individuals with specialized qualifications based on their experience in the maritime industry.   At least four commissioners must have been license deck officers in the U.S. Merchant Marine, an unrestricted line officer in the U.S. Navy, or a commissioned officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, and commanded a navigation watch on an ocean going vessel.  The remaining two commissioners must have a minimum of five years of experience within the maritime industry. 

The Board Members

JAMES E. MERCANTE, Commissioner and President
B.Sc., United States Merchant Marine Academy
J.D. University of Bridgeport, School of Law; Tulane University School of Law
Captain, United States Navy (Retired)
Admiralty Attorney (New York)
County of Residence – Nassau

LUCIENNE C. BULOW, Commissioner
B.A., Hunter College, M. Phil., Ph.D., Yale University
President, Interactive Maritime Services
Maritime Arbitrator and Mediator
County of Residence – New York

RICHARD J. HENDRICK, Sr., Commissioner
CEO, Albany Port District Commission
County of Residence – Albany

JOSEPH F. AHLSTROM, Commissioner
B.S. & M.S., SUNY Maritime College
Captain, United States Navy, (Retired)
Master Mariner, US Merchant Marine
Professor, SUNY Maritime College
County of Residence – Staten Island

WILLIAM M. ROWLAND, Commissioner 
B.S., United States Merchant Marine Academy
Senior Vice President, Ocean Marine
Sompo
County of Residence – Suffolk 

JEFFREY C. LOECHNER, Commissioner 
B.S., United States Merchant Marine Academy
Vice President, Ocean Marine
Sompo
County of Residence – Nassau

Administration

ANDREW J. GARGER, Secretary and Executive Director
B.Sc., United States Merchant Marine Academy
J.D. New York University School of Law
Adjunct Professor, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

One Battery Park Plaza 31st Floor New York, NY 10004-1405
Tel. 212.425.5027/5028 Fax. 212.344.3144 Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

JENNIFER GILLOOLEY, Office Administrator
One Battery Park Plaza 31st Floor New York, NY 10004-1405
Tel. 212.425.5027/5028 Fax. 212.344.3144 Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

All commission expenses are paid from private pilotage fees. 

There are currently no vacancies on the Board.  The process for appointing members to the Board can be found in Article 6, Section 87 of the Navigation Law.