Director of Engineering

James Cain, the Director of Engineering at TAI, is a seasoned Naval Architect with 26 years of expertise in design, construction, and management of marine projects. Holding a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Tulane University and an MS in Naval Architecture from the University of New Orleans, he has led diverse teams across shipyards in the US, Asia, Middle East, and Europe. Most recently, Mr. Cain led Marine Engineering at Ensco plc and was Naval Architecture SME at Valaris plc, overseeing a fleet of over 70 offshore vessels.

Director of Production Engineering

Amer Kalla, Director of Production Engineering at TAI Engineers , is a Ship Design Subject Matter Expert with over 12 years of engineering experience in managing the design and build of ships and PLM/PDM projects. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from Simon Fraser University. Mr. Kalla has driven innovation in shipbuilding facility design and technology integration and spearheaded multimillion Capex infrastructure and Naval projects. His experience includes leading design and engineering for Tesla facilities and directing multidisciplinary teams for 3D models and manufacturing at Vancouver Shipyards LTD. He was instrumental in Seaspan Shipyards' involvement in the National Shipbuilding Strategy, overseeing projects exceeding $11 billion.Item description

Director of Project Services

Floyd Lachney is the Director of Project Services at TAI and serves as the company’s Project Controls Manager and Facility Security Officer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Construction Project Management. Mr. Lachney has been with TAI for over six years, overseeing and fostering cross-departmental collaboration of all administrative departments and activities including Project Controls, Facility Security, Information Technology, Document Control and our ISO 9001:2015 Program.

Manager of Operations

Jordan Castillo is the Manager of Operations at TAI. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana State University and a master’s degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the University of New Orleans. Mr. Castillo has been with TAI for over eight years. He has served as the NOAA Class B program manager and “Hull Scientific” lead for the Polar Security Cutter program. In prior years, Mr. Castillo provided naval architecture expertise for numerous government programs such as the NOAA Agor Variant, T-AGOS (25), and Navy landing craft.

Manager of Business Development

Greg Rubin, TAI’s Manager of Business Development and current Program Manager for NOAA’s new AGOR vessels, has a 30-year history in the marine industry - in every role from deckhand to captain, including time aboard warships as a U.S. Marine infantryman. He has degrees in naval architecture, marine engineering, and business administration from the University of New Orleans as well as a J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans, College of Law. The breadth of his experience and creative problem solving add a unique perspective in finding solutions for clients and stakeholders.

Manager of Integrated Logistics Systems

Joseph Bennett is the Manager of Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) at TAI.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in Technical Writing from Nicholls State University and is certified in Classic RCM and Backfit RCM processes, MIL-STD-882E System Safety, and Windchill Prediction, RBD, and FMEA functionality.  Mr. Bennett has been with TAI since July 2023.  He has provided his expertise on various Government and Commercial programs, including NOAA Agor Variant, NOAA Class B, and Fuel Barges, among others. 

Director of Electrical

Manzoor Shaikh holds an MSc in Electrical & Electronics from KMOU, Korea, and has been serving as the Director of EI&C at TAI since 2023. With over 40 years of diverse experience in the Marine and Oil & Gas industries, his career includes more than 17 years of seagoing service, 4 years in ship operations, and 20 years of ongoing shipbuilding and in the experience at various shipyards across Asia. Mr. Shaikh has played a key role in the design of TAGOS, NOAA-A, and NOAA-B research vessels. In addition, previous design/ construction experience of 36 ships in Asian yards.

Naval Architect and Program Manager

Elliot VanDeren is a Program Manager at TAI with over 8 years of experience working in the maritime industry. He actively leads programs ranging from conducting small engine foundation resonance studies to producing complete class approved production packages ready for shipyard implementation and construction.  Prior to TAI, Elliot served as an Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard spending time afloat as an engineer and ashore enforcing safety regulations on the maritime industry. He holds a master’s degree in Engineering Management from George Washington University and a bachelor’s in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. 

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Gregory Freudenthal, PE is a Senior Mechanical Engineer at TAI with over 35 years of experience. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Colorado State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of New Orleans. Mr. Freudenthal joined TAI in 2025 and has assisted in leading the mechanical engineering team for T-AGOS (25).  In prior years, Mr. Freudenthal has provided mechanical engineering expertise for Austal, Huntington Ingalls, and North American Shipbuilding among others for various programs including EMS, LHA, LPD, LSD, DDG, TAKR-300, NSC, OPC, WAGB-20, Polar Endeavour Tankers, C-Tractor and Loop Responder Tugs, Carolyn Chouest and Geco Marlin Research Vessels, and the Amy Chouest OSV.

Naval Architect and Program Manager

Frank “Sandy” Strachan P.E. has 17+ years in the Marine Industry.  During this time, he has worked on a wide variety of vessels and designs with a focus on offshore energy section.  Mr. Strachan has been involved in everything from small USV to large floating offshore structures.  During his time at TAI, Mr. Strachan moved into the role of Program Manager for the NOAA Class B project.  Mr. Strachan holds a B.S. of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and an M.S. in Engineering Management from the University of New Orleans.  

Naval Architect/Project Engineer

Parker Chavis, P.E. is a Naval Architect/Project Engineer at TAI. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the University of New Orleans. In his tenure at TAI, he has worked as the NOAA Class B hydrodynamics lead and assistant program manager. Before employment at TAI, Mr. Chavis was a Naval Architect with Gibbs & Cox, Inc, where he was contracted to the USCG Ship Design Team in DC working on conceptual feasibility and requirements verification of multi-mission icebreaker designs.

Naval Architect and Project Engineer

Chaitanya Tirupathi is a Naval Architect and Project Engineer at TAI with over 15 years of experience in ship design and construction. He holds a master’s degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the University of New Orleans. Since joining TAI more than five years ago, Mr. Tirupathi has contributed to numerous U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects, serving as Project Engineer with responsibilities equivalent to those of a Project Manager. He also played a key role as the Structures Lead for the NOAA Class A program, overseeing structural design and analysis for this advanced Oceanographic Research Vessel

Naval Architect

Beth Kinney is a Naval Architect at TAI, has more than 15 years experience in the marine industry.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Coast Guard Academy and a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of New Hampshire. Mrs. Kinney has been with TAI since March 2024. Prior to that, she worked for Naval Shipyards after completing her active duty Coast Guard service. 

Design Manager

Ronnie Murray is the Design Manager at TAI.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering from the University of Southern Mississippi.  Mr. Murray has been with TAI for almost 2 years.  He serves as the T-AGOS(25) program outfitting and arrangement technical lead. In previous positions, Mr. Murray has provided engineering, design, and project management support for government programs such as the Virginia-class Submarine, Ship to Shore Connector, UISS (unmanned minesweeping vessel), 47-foot Motor Lifeboat, and M1117 Armored Security Vehicle.

Director of Marine Engineering and Project Engineer

Randall Desmarais is the Director of Marine Engineering and Project Engineer at TAI. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Marine Systems Engineering from Maine Maritime Academy. Mr. Desmarais has been with TAI for over six years. He has served as program manager for the OPC recompete and T-AGOS (X) Industry Studies and program engineer for the LSM industry studies.  He also served as the Mechanical lead for the Polar Security Cutter program. Mr. Desmarais is currently serving as the Project Engineer for the T-AGOS (25) program.  In prior years, Mr. Desmarais was a Senior Marine Engineer and Project Manager with the American Bureau of Shipping.