Ocean News & Technology

Working extensively in the offshore sector in renewables and oil and gas, Mr. Hart has built a diverse portfolio of international expertise in marine energy systems and subsea engineering, developing intellectual property and technologies from fundamental research through to concept and then full commercialization. He is a recognized industry leader in wave energy conversion technologies in the US and has consulted for the US Department of Energy repeatedly on innovation strategies for this technology.

Throughout his career, Mr. Hart has worked with governments and industry, securing technology development and project funding from, among others, the United States Departments of Energy and Defense and from Shell, BP, Huawei and Petrobras. A specialist in driving strategic growth, company reorganizations and operational implementation, Phil has used his analytical, technical and commercial skills to devise and implement change and drive significant double digit bottom line growth in international and multinational technology and service companies.

Dr. Stapleton is the Co-Founder, Managing Director of the Blue Innovation Symposium. He most recently served as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and as the Executive Director of the UMass Dartmouth Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Prior to teaching and administration in academia, Dr. Stapleton worked in the private sector where he is well known as an experienced executive and entrepreneur with extensive experience in organizational management, international business, marketing, public relations, economic development, foreign direct investment, and legislative affairs.

He has a bachelor’s degree from Bryant University, an MBA in International Business from the Sawyer School of Management at Suffolk University and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Public Policy from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Dr. Stapleton serves on several non-profit and professional association boards including Innovate Newport and the Marine Oceanographic & Technological Network (MOTN).

Mr. Michel has over 50 years’ experience in technical and executive roles in the offshore industries and is a true pioneer of undersea Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) technology. He served on the the NVC (board) of the Marine Advanced Technology Education Center and on the committees of the US National Academy of Sciences to determine the future needs for undersea vehicles and development of undersea observatories.

Mr. Michel was awarded the prestigious Lockheed-Martin Award for Ocean Science and Engineering, in recognition of his "outstanding overall contribution to the development of ROV technology", as well as the Compass Distinguished Achievement Award for his "sustained career made notable by achievements that have had significant impact on the fields of marine science and technology". Mr. Michel was inducted into the into the Offshore Energy Center Hall of Fame as a technology pioneer in the field of ROVs 2010 and again in 2018 as an Offshore Industry Pioneer. He was inducted into the Commercial Diving Hall of Fame in 2012 for his early work on diving electronics systems that enhanced the safety of saturation diving.

Mr. Brooks has had a distinguished 50-year career in the energy and investment industries as an energy securities analyst, an oilfield service company manager, a consultant to energy company managements and a member of the board of directors of oilfield service companies. Since 2005, Mr. Brooks has been engaged in consulting as an advisor to PPHB LP, a boutique oilfield service investment banking firm. During his career as a Wall Street oilfield service securities analyst, Mr. Brooks was recognized as a Wall Street Journal All-Star analyst. Mr. Brooks is the lead director and chair of the governance committee of Trican Well Service Ltd. He is also an advisory board member of Preng & Associates, an energy executive recruiting firm.

Rhonda is a journalist and filmmaker with more than 20 years as an ROV Pilot/Supervisor, Diving Safety Officer, and Underwater Cinematographer. She has also worked as a lead Science Diver and Diving Instructor. Ms. Moniz has also worked with the military, police, and fire departments specializing in subsea robotics training and underwater forensics, Ms. Moniz worked on a number of historical expeditions around the world including work in the Black Sea and off the coast of Turkey studying ancient shipwrecks as well as underwater volcanoes off the coast of Greece. She worked with numerous underwater technologies including ROV, AUV and manned submersibles. Her career as a professional diver spans over 30 years. She has lectured around the country and is a published author and former editor for Ocean News & Technology Magazine. She has acted as Science Advisor and Underwater Forensics SME for multiple broadcast television shows. In 2017 she was one of 8 people chosen from around the world for the Woods Hole Oceanographic Ocean Journalism Fellowship.