Massachusetts Maritime Academy, a public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, will honor Liz Burdock, founder and CEO of Oceantic Network, as Person of the Year during an October 26 event to be held on the academy’s campus.
“I am honored to receive the 2024 Maritime Person of the Year Award,” said Burdock. “I have dedicated my career to protecting the environment through the advancement of clean energy, and our maritime partners are already proving to be a key part of our nation’s clean energy future. Every offshore wind project requires a host of specialized vessels and dozens of skilled technicians. Each of these massive construction projects are bringing jobs, training and investment to maritime companies and communities across the East and Gulf Coasts. Thank you to Massachusetts Maritime Academy for recognizing the importance of offshore wind energy and its contributions to the domestic maritime industry.”
Burdock co-founded the Baltimore-based Oceantic Network – an organization dedicated to growing the offshore wind and other ocean renewable industries and their supply chains – in 2013. With a deep background in policy, she has led the Network, launching the International Partnering Forum, the largest offshore wind conference in the Americas; delivered critical offshore industry products and services, including Supply Chain Connect, the Offshore Wind Market dashboard, and Foundation 2 Blade training and remains a thought leader advancing the development of the U.S. offshore wind industry and domestic supply chain.
With extensive experience in running public/private partnerships, Burdock has focused her career on convening and coordinating diverse stakeholders, including businesses, academics, government agencies, policy makers, community leaders, workforce organizations and strategic investors, to develop sound solutions that facilitate the implementation of clean energy in the U.S.
Burdock holds a degree in sociology from Frostburg State University and is a graduate of Leadership Maryland. She has been featured in energy-related publications including ReCharge, reNEWS, and RTO Insider, as well as the Baltimore Sun, Forbes, Reuters, and the Wall Street Journal.
The Emery Rice Medal has been awarded to a select group of maritime professionals. Past honorees of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Person of the Year include admirals, captains, and CEOs.
“We are delighted to award the Emery Rice Medal to Liz Burdock, not only for her significant contributions to the maritime industry, but also for embodying the very principles we teach at the Academy – leadership, ethics, business sense, and respect for the ocean environment,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “We look forward to honoring her during our October 26 ceremony.”
The Academy has a tradition of honoring a civilian or military leader with a distinguished career of excellence, innovation, and service to the maritime industries and other related industries with the Emery Rice Medal, named for an 1897 Academy graduate and WWI hero. Captain Rice was twice recognized by Pres. Theodore Roosevelt for his maritime skill and bravery.
MORE INFO https://www.oceanticwind.ca
