Joachim J. "Jack" Buono (born c. 1955) retired as Vice Admiral in the

United States Maritime Service The United States Maritime Service (USMS) was established in 1938 under the provisions of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 as voluntary training organization to train individuals to become officers and crewmembers on merchant ships that form the U ...

who last served as the thirteenth superintendent of the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). He took command of the Academy on November 9, 2018.

Early life and education

Buono is a 1978 graduate of the

United States Merchant Marine Academy The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA or Kings Point) is a United States service academy in Kings Point, New York. It trains its midshipmen (as students at the academy are called) to serve as officers in the United States Merchant ...

. While at USMMA, Buono received the Admiral Emory S. Land Medal and Award for outstanding achievement in

Naval Architecture Naval architecture, or naval engineering, is an engineering discipline incorporating elements of mechanical, electrical, electronic, software and safety engineering as applied to the engineering design process, shipbuilding, maintenance, and o ...

. At graduation, he received a bachelor’s degree in Marine Transportation, a U.S. Coast Guard license as a Third Mate (Deck), and a commission in the

U.S. Navy Reserve The United States Navy Reserve (USNR), known as the United States Naval Reserve from 1915 to 2005, is the Reserve Component (RC) of the United States Navy. Members of the Navy Reserve, called Reservists, are categorized as being in either the Sele ...

, which he maintained for 11 years.

Career

Immediately following graduation, he joined the Marine Department of Exxon Company USA, a predecessor organization of SeaRiver Maritime, Inc. Between 1978 and 1986 he served as a deck officer aboard various sized crude and chemical tankers before being promoted to

Master Mariner A master mariner is a licensed mariner who holds the highest grade of seafarer qualification; namely, an unlimited master's license. Such a license is labelled ''unlimited'' because it has no limits on the tonnage, power, or geographic location of ...

. In 1991, Buono transferred ashore where he progressed through the management ranks before retiring as President and CEO of SeaRiver Maritime in 2016. He previously served on the Board of Trustees at the

Coast Guard Foundation The Coast Guard Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is committed to ensuring all United States Coast Guard members and their families have the resources they need to build resilience throughout their lives. Founded in 1969 to p ...

, and the

Webb Institute Webb Institute is a private college focused on engineering and located in Glen Cove, New York. Each graduate of Webb Institute earns a Bachelor of Science degree in naval architecture and marine engineering. Successful candidates for admission r ...

, as Vice Chairman of the Oil Companies International Marine Forum, on the Board of Advisors with the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation, as Chairman of the North America Regional Committee of the American Bureau of Shipping, and on the Board of Advisors for the Global Maritime and Transportation School at USMMA. In addition to having earned a U.S. Coast Guard License as Master, Steam and Motor Vessels of Any Gross Tons Upon Oceans, Buono has served as Captain of ''Exxon Lexington'', ''Exxon Jamestown'', ''Exxon Houston'', ''Exxon Philadelphia'', and ''Exxon Charleston''. He has received numerous awards and citations, most recently the

Secretary of Transportation A secretary, administrative professional, administrative assistant, executive assistant, administrative officer, administrative support specialist, clerk, military assistant, management assistant, office secretary, or personal assistant is a wh ...

’s Gold Award for meritorious achievement in response to the COVID-19 global health emergency. He also won the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Meritorious Service and Outstanding Professional Achievement Awards, the Seafarers International House 2017 Honoree Award, the Seamen’s Church Institute 2016 Safety Leader Award, the North America Marine Environmental Protection Association 2016 Environmental Leader Award, and a commendation from the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Council. Additionally, Buono was listed among the Top One Hundred Most Influential People in Shipping 2012–2015 by Lloyd’s List. In January 2022, Vice Admiral Buono submitted his retirement to the Department of Transportation after 45 years in the maritime industry. Vice Admiral Buono retired after graduating the class of 2022.

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Buono, Joachim J. 1950s births Year of birth uncertain Living people United States Navy officers