Fort Schuyler Magazine Spring 2021

T H E MAR I T I ME C O L L E G E A L UMN I A S S O C I AT I ON CELEBRATES THREE OUTSTANDING ALUMNI

container port and second-busiest auto port complex in Savannah and Brunswick, respectively. In addition, Griff oversees GPA’s two inland terminal operations in South and Northwest Georgia. Together, these facilities comprise one of the largest economic engines in the U.S. Southeast. Jim Starace ‘81 is the Chief Engineer of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In this capacity, Mr. Starace is responsible for the Agency’s Engineering services that include design, construction, structural integrity, quality assurance and asset management to support the Port Authority’s Capital and Operating programs. These programs include projects at the Port Authority airports; tunnels, bridges and terminals; ports; the PATH rail system and the World Trade Center. Michael W. Toner ‘65 became an executive vice president of General Dynamics in March 2003. He was responsible for the Marine Systems group, which includes Bath Iron Works, Electric Boat and NASSCO. He had been vice president of General Dynamics since January 2000 and president of Electric Boat from January 2000 to October 2003. This year's honorees each took different career tracks. While Griff specialized in port operations, Michael Toner, who had an illustrious career building submarines, went on to become a senior executive at General Dynamics. James Starace, worked for the Port Authority of NY/NJ maintaining the infrastructure for which we all depend. While interviewing our honorees, I was regaled with great stories from their amazing careers. Michael Toner recalled a time of taking a submarine out on sea

Each year the Honors Committee has the rewarding task of finding those among us who stand out for their professional achievements. This task is made all the more difficult due to the growing number of graduates out in the world doing amazing things.

A lthough COVID-19 restrictions within New York City and New York State limited our ability to gather together this year to honor our distinguished alumni, we are determined to recognize them for their outstanding achievements. The annual Distinguished Alumni Dinner will be held on January 27, 2022 at Tribeca 360° in NYC. We are pleased to honor Griff Lynch ‘88 as Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, James Starace ’81 with the Lifetime Achievement Honor, and Michael Toner ’65 is being awarded the Special Recognition Honor. I had the opportunity to speak with each of this years’ honorees and learn about each of their unique experiences since graduation. Their educational tracks could not have been more diverse. Griff Lynch was a Computer Science major (who knew that was a major at one point?), Michael Toner was a Nuclear Science Engineering major, and James Starace majored in Naval Architecture. Griff Lynch ‘88 is the Executive Director of the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), a 1,400-person strong gateway for American commerce. As Executive Director, Griff oversees the nation’s third-busiest

BY MATTHEW BONVENTO ’01

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO ABSORB ALL THAT MARITIME HAS TO OFFER, AND KNOW WITHOUT A DOUBT, AS YOUR LIFE UNFOLDS YOUWILL DRAW ON THESE EXPERIENCES.

– Griff Lynch ’88

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