Duffy taps new leadership for U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
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U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced that Rear Admiral (select) Tony Ceraolo has been named superintendent and Dr. Johnathan Gajdos provost at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, N.Y.<\/p>\n
The Department of Transportation says that both have decades of experience in public administration, military leadership and education and are focused on restoring the academy to an institution worthy of the sacrifices made by young patriots and strengthening its academic programs so that midshipmen are fully prepared to serve, lead, and defend the nation.<\/p>\n
President Trump\u2019s Executive Order on Restoring America\u2019s Maritime Dominance <\/a>directed a revitalization of the academy and, earlier this year, Secretary Duffy swiftly signed a partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to modernize<\/a> campus facilities, upgrade simulators and navigation labs, and completely overhaul the IT system. <\/p>\n \u201cRear Admiral Tony Ceraolo and Dr. Johnathan Gajdos are precisely the leaders the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy needs at this critical moment\u2014especially after the last administration neglected the Academy and its midshipmen,\u201d said Secretary Duffy. \u201cThese men bring the experience, discipline, and vision required to reverse years of decline at the academy, restore America\u2019s maritime power, and prepare the next generation of American patriots for service to our country.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am honored and excited to serve as the 15th Superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at a pivotal moment for both the academy and our nation. With unprecedented focus, support, and momentum behind the maritime sector, this is an exciting time to lead,\u201d said Rear Adm. (sel) Tony Ceraolo.<\/a> \u201cI look forward to working alongside our exceptional faculty and staff to educate, mentor and graduate leaders of exemplary character\u2014men and women fully prepared to advance our nation\u2019s national security, economic success, and marine transportation needs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I had the opportunity for a campus visit during the selection process for this position, I was immediately impressed by the dedicated faculty, the motivated midshipmen, and the skilled staff, fully embracing the academy\u2019s critical mission,\u201d said Dr. Gajdos. \u201cAs I assume the role of USMMA\u2019s Provost, I am excited to support the work of our faculty as they educate America\u2019s future merchant mariners and maritime leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n Before joining the Academy as Chief of Staff in 2023, Rear Adm. (select) Ceraolo spent 34 years in the U.S. Coast Guard.\u202fPrior to his retirement, he served as executive assistant to the Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations. Earlier in his career, he served as a senior counselor to the Secretary of Homeland Security where he spearheaded and coauthored DHS\u2019s first-ever\u202fStrategic Approach for Arctic Homeland Security, as well as Director for Maritime Security and Director for Arctic Region Policy on the National Security Council Staff at the White House.<\/p>\n His command experience includes service as Commanding Officer of two Coast Guard cutters, as well as a deployment as Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia \u2013 the Coast Guard\u2019s largest command outside the continental United States; and, as Sector Commander and Captain of the Port for San Francisco and Northern California.<\/p>\n Rear Adm. (select) Ceraolo graduated with honors from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He earned a master of public administration degree from Harvard University\u2019s Kennedy School of Government, and a Master of Arts with Distinction in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He is also a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College, a designated permanent cutterman, and an Eagle Scout.<\/p>\n Prior to joining the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Dr. Gajdos spent more than 15 years in administrative and teaching roles at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), the primary language education and training institution for the U.S. military. Most recently, he served as Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education,<\/a> where he oversaw six schools providing full-time, intensive foreign language training in nine languages.<\/p>\n His prior assignments at DLIFLC include serving as dean of the Persian Farsi School, academic advisor at the Institute\u2019s Washington, D.C. office, and teaching team leader and instructor in the German program (earning the DLIFLC Civilian Instructor of the Year award from the Kiwanis Club of Monterey in 2013). Dr. Gajdos has also taught at Monterey Peninsula College, the University of Iowa, and Technische Universit\u00e4t Dortmund, Germany.\u202f<\/p>\n Dr. Gajdos earned a Ph.D. and M.A. in Germanic linguistics from the University of Iowa; a bachelor\u2019s in German from Georgetown University; and a graduate certificate in public administration from the University of North Dakota. A graduate of the Army Training and Doctrine Command Intermediate Leader Development Program, he has completed Army Management Staff College courses as well as Wharton Online\u2019s leadership and management certificate program. He is a two-time recipient of the Army Civilian Service Commendation Medal and in 2025 was awarded the Army Meritorious Civilian Service Medal.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The post Duffy taps new leadership for U.S. Merchant Marine Academy<\/a> appeared first on Marine Log<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n