CMURM Board of Directors

Board of Directors  

The board of directors is responsible for carrying out the mission of CMURM as well as facilitating the development of research, education, and service projects. Profiles of the board of directors are provided below. Resumes of the CMURM directors and other associates (including publication lists) are available upon request by organizations and individuals interested in particular CMURM services, or in comprehensive project development. 

Kenneth J. Vrana

CMURM Co-Founder, Chairperson/TreasurerPrincipal, Maritime Heritage Consulting

Training:

ABD Park, Recreation and Tourism Research/Maritime StudiesM.S. Park, Recreation and Tourism Resource Management

Specialties:

Historic shipwreck management, coastal/underwater survey and assessment, applied social research focusing on maritime heritage

Key Accomplishments: Consultant for the Michigan Governor's Office on establishment of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary; project coordinator of the Edmund Fitzgerald Expedition 1989; consulting maritime archaeologist for Titanic Expedition 2004, 2010, and Carpathia Expedition 2007; project manager for the Le Griffon Project in 2013-14; co-director of the Titanic Mapping Project with RMS Titanic, Inc. and Michigan State University RS&GIS; NAUI Dive Master with nearly 1,000 recorded scientific and operational dives for the National Park Service, Michigan Sea Grant College Program, Michigan State University, and CMURM. Author of over 75 professional and popular publications.

Perspectives: The need for professional expertise and perspectives on the use and management of our maritime heritage is critical with advances in remote-sensing technologies and methods. However, most government agencies are not prepared to seriously resolve the property rights and multiple values associated with underwater cultural resources. CMURM provides an avenue for me to continue contributing to these fields of endeavor in the Great Lakes and world's oceans.

Brian Abbott

CMURM PresidentOwner and Founder, Abbott Underwater Acoustics, LLC

Training:

M.S. Civil Engineering, University of ColoradoB.S. Civil Engineering, University of ColoradoB.S. Geophysics, Oregon State University

Specialties:

Underwater engineering inspections, hydrographic surveys, acoustic imaging, and archaeological exploration worldwide

Key Accomplishments: A thirty-year career in project management, deep-sea diving, water search and rescue, and archaeological expeditions. This includes work on bridge, dam, port, and harbor inspections as well as shipwreck searches, cultural resource surveys, and military site investigations. A former special project person for Kongsberg‑Mesotech, with responsibilities for the training of personnel and leading homeland security, bridge, port, and harbor inspection projects. Certified in Scotland as an HSE Part 1 commercial diver.
Professional expertise in hydrographic surveys (side-scan sonar, multibeam sonar, sub-bottom profiling); acoustic imaging (scanning sonar, dual-axis systems, AUV systems); 3D underwater mapping and cloud point reconstruction; underwater structural inspections for infrastructure integrity; and archaeological survey of shipwreck sites, sunken cities, and other underwater cultural resources. Notable U.S. projects include the Detroit River survey for DTE Energy (2‑mile sub-bottom profile); archaeological and cultural heritage surveys in the Great Lakes region, including prehistoric and early 20th‑century shipwrecks; and global infrastructure inspections (hundreds of bridges, ports, harbors, and dams). Certified as a Level III Nautical Archaeological Society (NAS) Instructor for sonar systems.

William Farrant

CMURM SecretaryJackson Area Career Center, JCISD, Michigan (retired)

Training:

M.A. Secondary Education, Siena Heights University, MichiganB.A. Elementary Education, Michigan State UniversityU.S. Marine Corps Staff Sargeant

Specialties:

Key Accomplishments: Decades of experience in research, education, technology, and hands-on problem-solving to support the understanding and preservation of maritime cultural resources. Served as a contributor to CMURM projects since 1998, and participated in the avocational archaeology training course of the Northwestern Michigan College Nautical Archaeology Program. These contributions included preparing documentation associated with historical shipwrecks, maritime resources, and environmental impact statements as well as developing and maintaining CMURM's web presence.
Taught and supported information technology, cybersecurity, networking, robotics, and related technical disciplines during a professional career at the Jackson Career Center and the JCISD. This work consistently emphasized making complex information accessible, developing practical solutions, and helping others understand how technology can serve broader educational and public purposes.

Perspectives: I engaged in interdisciplinary research and university outreach as a student and employee at Michigan State University, including tourism research, data collection and analysis, geographic information systems (GIS), cartography, graphic design, and technology development. This combination of research and technical experiences has fueled a desire to apply modern tools to the documentation, interpretation, and responsible management of underwater cultural heritage.

Sheli Smith

CMURM Board MemberPrincipal, YKT Consulting

Training:

Ph.D. Anthropology, with an emphasis in Maritime Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania

Specialties:

Anthropologist with a specialty in maritime archaeology

Key Accomplishments: Five decades participating in and leading archaeological investigations of shallow and deep-sea shipwreck sites; five decades of museum experience, including development of problem-based educational programs related to science exploration and STEM learning. Recent accomplishments include lead investigator of the Titanic Research Project team (three years); director of the Napa County Historical Society (five years); and chief academic officer of the PAST Foundation (15 years).

Perspectives: I am specifically interested in CMURM to further collaborative work around the RMS Titanic shipwreck site, and the shift from commercialism to professional investigation and stewardship, thereby creating a legacy archive that establishes a multi-disciplinary baseline for future research and investigation. I see CMURM as having the potential to establish a model for such deep-sea ecological stewardship.

CMURM Associates

CMURM associates include research and education professionals employed within universities and the private sector. The associates collaborate as needed on often complex multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary projects involving maritime, coastal, and underwater resources. Current CMURM associates include the following professionals:

Misty M. Jackson

CMURM AssociatePrincipal, Arbre Croche Cultural Resources

Training:

Ph.D., Department of Anthropology, Michigan State University

Specialties:

Historical archaeology of the French colonial period, cultural resources management involving archaeological sites

Key Accomplishments: Participated in the underwater exploration and archaeological research of Site 20UM723 in northern Lake Michigan, a location of an early pound net stake fishery in the western Great Lakes (2013-14). Extensive collaborations with Native American tribes/bands in Michigan on archaeological research, including expert testimony during treaty litigation concerning farming rights, and work with Native American co-author Jannus Cottrell on publication of a book about Native American tennis. Served as an adjunct professor of Anthropology at Central Michigan University, in addition to participation on several organizational boards of directors, including the CMURM, Michigan State Historic Preservation Review Board, Register of Professional Archaeologists' Standards Board, and currently, as president of the Center for French Colonial Studies.
Publications and professional presentations include the topic of folk music in education and preservation of maritime resources; co-editor and contributor to The History and Archaeology of Fort Ouiatenon: 300 Years in the Making (Purdue University Press, 2024) and Post-Contact Archaeology of Michigan and the Upper Great Lakes Region (Berghahn 2026).

Mark W. Holley

CMURM Co-Founder and AssociateAdjunct Anthropology Instructor, Northwestern Michigan College

Training:

Ph.D. Underwater Archaeology, University of Edinburgh, UKB.A. Anthropology, University of Michigan

Specialties:

Twenty-five years field experience as a practicing underwater archaeologist surveying submerged historic and prehistoric sites worldwide. Academic instructor in cultural anthropology and underwater archaeology.

Key Accomplishments: Completed a doctoral dissertation on high‑resolution survey of prehistoric underwater artificial islet sites (crannogs) off western Scotland. His study of the Loch Awe Crannog received the 2000 Medal of Scientific Merit, awarded by HRH Duke of Edinburgh. Other professional accomplishments include principal investigator for underwater site surveys in Scotland, Ireland, Greece, and the United States; chief archaeologist for the Grand Traverse Bay Underwater Preserve; and senior instructor for the Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS) of Great Britain, an international avocational archaeology training program.
Funded projects in Michigan include the prediction of archaeological sites in Saginaw Bay; Fayette Harbor archaeological survey; survey and assessment of historic shipwreck New Orleans; and preparation of archaeological survey plans for the proposed Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the Grand Traverse Bay Underwater Preserve. Professional affiliations include the Council for British Archaeology, Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Fellow of the Royal Archaeological Institute, and a Member of the Archaeology Institute

Sean Kery

CMURM AssociateFormer Chairman, SNAME Marine Forensics Committee

Training:

M.S. Systems Engineering, Whitman School of Engineering, John Hopkins University, MDB.S. Mechanical & Ocean Engineering, University of Rhode Island

Specialties:

Mechanical and systems engineering, naval architecture, ocean hydrodynamics, and marine forensics. Engineering-based analyses and modeling, including expertise in modern statistical and hydrodynamic modeling software such as OrcaFlex, Hydro-D, WASIM and WADAM; and drafting/presentation software such as AutoCAD.

Key Accomplishments: Several decades of specialized training, professional experience, and awards in the fields of engineering test and evaluation support, sea trials participation and test support, mechanical engineering, and systems engineering for private sector and government agencies. Current and past affiliations include membership in the Society for Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (SNAME) Marine Forensics Committee; chairman of the Marine Forensics MF-8 Guidelines and Education Panel; chairman of the SNAME Forensic Hydrodynamics Committee; and secretary of the Marine Technology Society (MTS) Underwater Archaeology Committee. Author of 70+ scientific and technical publications, with several more in process at any time.

Perspectives: CMURM provides me with an opportunity to continue contributing to the forensic analyses of historic shipwrecks and other marine casualties and underwater sites. In particular, I'm looking forward to applying my professional expertise and methods in the disciplines of marine engineering and naval architecture to help better understand the wrecking event and deterioration of the RMS Titanic shipwreck site.

Alexandra Klingelhofer

CMURM AssociateExecutive Director of Collections, RMS Titanic, Inc. (retired)

Training:

M.S. Conservation and Archaeological Site Science, University of Southampton, UKB.A. Ancient Near Eastern Studies (Religion), University of Chapel Hill, NC

Specialties:

Key Accomplishments: Conservator of Record for RMS Titanic, Inc.; Conservator of Record for First Colony Foundation; archaeological and historical research for Sir Walter Raleigh’s Roanoke colonies; Executive Director for Collections, RMS Titanic, Inc.; Professional Associate of the American Institute for Conservation; decades of contract conservation and collection services for private and public organizations, including the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Yorktown Shipwreck Project, and the Michael C. Carlos Museum Egyptian Collection (GA). National collections assessor/reviewer for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

Perspectives: My association with CMURM began in 2008 when I joined the collections staff of RMS Titanic, Inc. The Titanic Mapping Project and associated activities contributed to my understanding of the shipwreck, and the archaeological and historical information it could provide to Titanic’s body of knowledge. Being an associate of CMURM offers an opportunity to continue to contribute to the study of RMS Titanic in all aspects, and other shipwrecks as they are presented.

Peter Harwell

CMURM AssociateComputer Support Specialist, Oklahoma State University (current)

Training:

Associate of Arts, El Paso Community College, TexasCoursework and experience in networking, telecommunications, and computer technology

Specialties:

Avocational historical research and digital presentation of historical shipwrecks, including site mapping, underwater imagery interpretation, digital reconstruction, archival digitization, photogrammetry, and research data management.

Key Accomplishments: More than 14 years of professional information technology (IT) experience. Supported mission planning and data archiving for shipwreck surveys in Lake Michigan (2026); reconciliation of expedition maps and navigation records, generating and interpreting three-dimensional wreck models, and organizing large research data sets (2025); provided shore-side research assistance for RMS Titanic, Inc.’s Titanic Expedition 2024, contributing to the identification of artifacts in situ; and served as a shipwreck research consultant for Vintage Digital Revival, identifying wreck structures and debris (2023).

Perspectives: I want to help make maritime heritage easier to document, understand, and study. CMURM offers an opportunity to combine my technical background and wreck site research with others’ expertise, turning scattered imagery and historical records into organized and useful resources for research, preservation, and public education.

Gail VanderStoep

CMURM AssociateAssociate Professor, Community Sustainability, Michigan State University (emeritus)

Training:

Ph.D. Recreation Resources Development, Texas A&M UniversityM.Ed. Physical Education, Texas A&M University

Specialties:

Coastal recreation and tourism research, public interpretation and communications, outdoor and environmental education, exhibit design and construction, social psychology and recreation-related depreciative behavior

Key Accomplishments: Academic contributor to CMURM projects since the mid-1990s on historical shipwreck survey and assessment, and the interpretation of Great Lakes maritime heritage. Served as faculty member for several academic institutions before joining Michigan State University (MSU) in 1992. Former adjunct faculty with the MSU Museum and an instructional faculty member with the MSU Museum Studies Program. Organized and taught the MSU Department of Park, Recreation and Tourism's Maritime Studies Program graduate courses and study abroad program. Taught several park and recreation-related courses at MSU as well as published scores of academic and popular publications during a decades long career.

Former Directors and Associates

Paul-Henri (PH) Nargeolet

CMURM Director
Former Director of Underwater Research, RMS Titanic Inc.

Commander Paul-Henri Nargeolet was the leader of six expeditions to the RMS Titanic site for RMS Titatic, Inc. (1987, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2010). He was in charge of deep-water recovery operations, and lectured at Titanic exhibitions around the world. In 1986, Nargeolet joined IFREMER, a French oceanographic institution, as the director of deep submersible equipment and operation, and became a professional deep diver. Besides his scientific assignments, he led several search and recovery expeditions involving both civilian and military ships, and aircraft from several countries. Later, he became the director of AQUA+, a subsidiary of CANAL+, where he continued his work on RMS Titanic and led expeditions to Royal Captain, a 19th-century British ship, and the WWII Japanese battle ship Yamato. Nargeolet was also a member of an expedition to Borneo to examine a 15th-century Chinese junk as well as participated in the first diving expedition to the World War II battleship Bismarck.

Prior to his work with RMS Titanic, Inc. and IFREMER, Nargeolet spent 25 years in the French Navy. As a naval officer, he functioned as a clearance diver, deep-sea diver, and a submersible pilot. During his career in the French Navy, he dove on and studied several modern shipwrecks, beginning with those from World War I. In 1982, he was a founding member of the GRAN (Naval Archaeological Research Group).

During his career, Nargeolet was a member of numerous search and recovery expeditions, including Air France Flight 447, and the historic shipwrecks CSS Alabama, a Confederate vessel from the U.S. Civil War; Slava Rossii (1780), a vessel of Catherine the Great; and La Baleine (1710), a frigate of Louis XIV. He discovered and was a member of the first expedition to La Lune (1664), a vessel associated with Louis XIV. Nargeolet has also worked on the Lomellina (1516), a sixteenth-century Italian ship, and on the wreck of the battleship Magenta (1875). 

Hawk Tolson

CMURM Co-Founder and Director

●   Consulting nautical archaeologist with a specialty in materials conservation
●   M.A. Anthropology (Nautical Archaeology), Texas A&M University

Phillip J. Wright

CMURM Associate

●   Co-Founder, Archaeology & Maritime Heritage International, LLC●   Founder, Mount McGovern Co., Ltd., Ontario Canada●   Senior Archaeologist, Ontario Marine Heritage Conservation Program ●   Regional Archaeologist, Province of Ontario Ministry of Culture, Canada●   M.A. Anthropology, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada

James R. Reedy, Jr.

CMURM Associate

●   President, R2 Underwater Consultants, with a specialty in underwater excavation●   M.A. Maritime History and Underwater Research, East Carolina University

Porter Hoagland

CMURM Associate

●   Former Research Associate, WHOI Marine Policy Center●   Ph.D. Marine Policy, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)