CASTINE — Following a national search, the Maine Maritime Academy Board of Trustees has selected Craig Johnson, an MMA graduate Class of 1991, as its new president.

Johnson has served as the Academy’s Chief Operatng Officer since August 2022, and Interim President since June 2024.

“It is my pleasure to announce that following a thorough search, we have selected Craig Johnson to lead Maine Maritime Academy," said MMA Board Chair Wayne Norton (Class of 1986), in a March 19 news release. "As COO and Interim President, Craig has demonstrated stalwart leadership across the budgetary and strategic fronts making solid inroads for the Academy throughout the maritime sector. He is well respected by faculty, staff and students alike. Craig has a steady hand and the vision to position MMA for the pivotal moments ahead in the maritime industry.”

Johnson said: “I am honored by this appointment as permanent President of MMA. The maritime industry is on the precipice of incredible growth, and it has been a career highlight to serve MMA as COO and Interim President as we create a roadmap that will ensure the Academy’s strength and sustainability in a thriving industry for decades to come.

“On a personal note, as an alum whose life trajectory was altered by atending the Academy, I am deeply moved by the young men and women who chose a career in the maritime world. Together with the deeply passionate faculty and staff and alumni, it is a point of pride that we are creating an environment that will lead them to future personal and professional successes.”

During Johnson’s tenure as COO and Interim President, he has initiated strategic external partnerships for the Academy with Bath Iron Works and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and been reappointed to the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Commitee. 

He is orchestrating and overseeing the largest capital improvement projects in the school’s history with the expansion and renovation of its waterfront and updates to Curtis Hall the state’s largest campus residential structure, the release said.

Craig’s arrival at the Academy in 2022 followed three decades of maritime industry work for companies such SEACOR Holdings, XL North and was a founding partner in Flagship Management, an international maritime search and consulting firm. Craig held a USCG First Assistant Engineer and Third Assistant Engineer license.

MMA will receive a $300 million National Security Multi-Mission Vessel, T/S State of Maine later this fall. The new training vessel, the third of its kind to be issued to a state maritime academy is projected to revolutionize the training of mariners. The vessel is commissioned and owned by the US Department of Transportation’s Marine Division.

“The search commitee fielded more than 90 applicants from across the globe," said S. Catherine Longley, Trustee and Chair of the Search Commitee. "It was a highly competitive and thorough process, and I am pleased to announce the commitee unanimously recommended Mr. Johnson to the Board of Trustees to serve as the Academy’s next president. I would like to extend my deepest thanks to all who participated in this process.”

The search, which was announced by the Board of Trustees in July of 2024, and launched in full in September was aided by search firm RPA, Inc and a Search Commitee chaired by Trustee Longley and included Board Chair Norton, other trustees, and representation from faculty, staff, alumni and student bodies.

MMA is a co-educational, public college offering 22 academic programs in marine engineering, management, science, and transportation to promote the maritime interests of the United States. The college is consistently recognized for providing a high-value education by organizations including the Brookings Institution, U.S. News and World Report, and Money Magazine. Its current Niche ranks it #1 in Maine for value, 36 in the country for value. A 2022 Report by Georgetown University ranked MMA #1 among all public colleges for return on investment for low-income students at public bachelor’s degree Institutions.