Our Team
Jeffrey Kuenning
VP of Operations
As vice president of operations for Boksa Marine Design, Jeff’s 20+ years of innovation in naval architecture and marine engineering has elevated BMD as a leading engineering firm providing maritime solutions. His technical expertise in maritime requirements assures regulatory compliance with USCG, ABS, ABYC and class societies, also managing CE Certification for American boatbuilders seeking Notified Body Approval in Europe. Jeff’s responsibilities also include project management, engineering design and operational efficiency. He oversees stability analysis, speed/power analysis, weight studies, drafting, structural calculations and design, engine room ventilation and systems design.
Having worked with Netsco and John W. Gilbert & Associates, his background includes design, engineering and project management for commercial ships as well as yacht and pleasure craft. Jeff graduated from the University of Michigan with a BSE in naval architecture and marine engineering.
Joshua Trupia
Marine Engineer
Josh is a marine and mechanical engineer with BMD. He is responsible for mechanical and structural engineering, production engineering and propulsion system arrangements. In 2021, Josh relocated from BMD headquarters in Florida to Arkansas, focusing on the inland river market. He specializes in ATBs, barges and pushtugs for operators and shipyards on the Arkansas, Mississippi, Ouchita and White Rivers.
Previously, Josh was a mechanical engineer for Tampa Ship. He also worked as an assistant engineer on tugs for K-Sea Transportation.
Josh graduated from the State University of New York Maritime College and earned a BE Marine Engineering.Trupia is a marine and mechanical engineer responsible for mechanical and structural engineering, production engineering and propulsions system arrangements.
Mike Valentine
Marine Design Manager
Mike is BMD’s marine design manager. His focus is marine design, production engineering and ship constructor modeling.
Previously, Mike worked with Bath Iron Works, a division of General Dynamics, on the label plates team on DDG 51 and the hull outfit team for DDG 1000.
Mike served in the U.S. Army I was in the Army, deployed to Iraq and stationed on the Tallil Air Force Base. He was also an Army Reservist in the 619th Transportation Company out of Auburn, Maine.
Mike earned a BS degree in organizational leadership from the University of Southern Maine.Valentine is a marine designer with Boksa Marine Design focused on production engineering and ship constructor modeling.
James Pilliod
Marine Systems Engineer
James is a marine systems engineer with BMD. He worked as a marine engineer aboard ships for Noble Drilling and was on Noble’s delivery engineering team for new builds with Hyundai Heavy Industries.
Pilliod served as a marine engineer aboard various cargo ships and offshore supply vessels, and enjoys working on small sail and power boats in his spare time. He volunteers with Warrior Sailing Program, racing with disabled veterans, teaching them how to sail in team events. Warrior Sailing Program helps veterans recover physically and mentally, challenging them and building self-confidence through the sport of sailing.
James graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy. He is a USCG 2nd assistant engineer commissioned in U.S. Navy Reserve.
Jack Becker
Naval Architect
Jack is a naval architect with Boksa Marine Design. He designs composite vessels and structures to meet ISO requirements and leads BMD’s FRP engineering division. In 2024, Jack was named to Boating Industry’s 40 under 40 for as an innovator in pleasure craft design and engineering.
Jack was an engine and deck cadet in Pacific Ocean operations for Matson, Inc. He previously interned with Metal Shark Boats in naval architecture and shipyard production. Jack earned dual degrees from Webb Institute with a BS in naval architecture and marine engineering.
Jordan Anger
Marine Electrical Engineer
Jordan is a marine electrical engineer at BMD with a military background and marine industry experience. While in the United States Navy, attached to the USS Hue City and deployed to 5th Fleet, Jordan was awarded two Navy Achievement Medals (NAMs) as an AN/SPY-1 lead radar technician for resolving multiple emergency equipment casualties in a hostile environment. He was also recognized by NSWC Port Hueneme for leading a work center exceeding established AEGIS equipment standards.
Jordan later joined Mikros Systems Corporation as a marine systems integration engineer, collaborating with NSWC Port Hueneme and NSWC Crane on the ADEPT test equipment program. He provided training and technical expertise on the ADEPT (AN/PSM-132) radar test equipment and engineering support for the AN/SYM-3 radar automation system. He also worked at DRS Technologies Inc. as a test engineer on the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) and SPQ-9B radar system, later and serving as a marine electrical engineer at Gulfstream Circuits.
Specializing in Electronic Warfare (EW), weapons system integration and combat systems, Jordan is an honors graduate of Great Lakes Surface Combat Systems and Training Command and AEGIS Training and Readiness Center at Naval Station Dahlgren. He graduated cum laude from the University of South Florida with a BSEE in electrical, electronics and communications engineering.
Luke Tiefenthaler
Marine Systems Engineer
Luke is a marine systems and project engineer niched in designing and integrating propulsion and electrical control systems as well as ABS-certified bridge, navigation and dynamic positioning systems.
Luke previously worked on various U.S. Navy ship design programs, including the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine, the USS Constellation (FFG-62) guided-missile frigate and the TAGOS-25 class Ocean Surveillance ship. He also worked on commercial and military sealift command vessels as a marine engineer including T-AGM-25, T-AKE, T-ARS, and T-AK. Luke graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy; he is a licensed USCG 3rd assistant engineer and a commissioned U.S. Navy reservist.
Andrew Nolan
Junior Naval Architect
Andrew is a junior naval architect with Boksa Marine Design. He has a strong foundation and hands-on experience in the marine industry. Prior to joining BMD, Andrew was a mechanic at Garrison Bight Marina, later climbing the hawsepipe from deckhand to captain on charter fishing and diving vessels. His boatbuilding experience includes work as a composite technician at Lazzara Yachts and Carbon Craft Boats; he was also a welder and blacksmith's assistant at Kyte Metalworks. Additionally, Andrew was an electronics technician at Electro-Mechanical Associates who also interned at MasterCraft Boats.
A graduate of the University of Michigan with a BSE in naval architecture and marine engineering, Andrew participated in UM’s autonomous vessel group. He earned an AS in marine engineering and seamanship from Florida Keys Community College and is a licensed mariner with a USCG 50-ton captain’s license from the San Diego Maritime Institute.
John Petry
Marine Design Engineer
John is a marine design engineer with BMD. As a licensed naval architect and marine engineer with 25 years of experience in boatbuilding, he has worked for Sea Ray, Pursuit, Donzi, Fountain and Hatteras, providing design, structural analysis and tooling. John is also experienced in aerospace, wind energy and physics national labs.
John earned a BS degree in mechanical engineering technology from Kansas State University; he also received a MS in ocean engineering from Florida Institute of Technology.
Elena Calhoun
Marine Systems Engineer
As a crew member of BMD’s new Marine Systems and Marine Electrical division, Elena is focused on systems engineering for BMD’s Cheoy Lee Yachts Discovery line of explorer pocket yachts.
As a licensed USCG 3rd assistant engineer, unlimited tonnage, Elena is also a LT in the USN Reserves. With hands-on experience in the marine industry, Elena has worked at both commercial and government shipyards, performing systems engineering.
Prior to joining BMD, Elena was a junior marine engineer at NETSco; she also worked as a project planner for Gulf Marine Repair Corporation.
Elena earned a BS degree from the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in marine engineering.
RIP Molly Boksa
Salty Sea Dog
For over a decade, sweet Molly sat under her master’s desk during the day on a lounger pillow, juggling tennis balls in-between digesting tidbits on mechanical structures and class certification and Tier 4 compliant marine engines.