Faculty & Staff

Full Time Staff

Alphabetical order by last name

Pasha Amigud ~ PAmigud@mates.org

Joining PMI in 2006 as a contractor in our modeling department Mr. Amigud has joined the modeling department full time beginning 2008.  BIO on the way.

Laura Bendixen ~ Administrative Assistant ~ LBendixen@mates.org
Ms. Bendixen joined PMI in June 2006.  She recently returned to Seattle after working at Maine Maritime Academy. She has 20 years experience in the passenger charter business in the Pacific N.W. and holds a 100 Ton Captain's license, which means she knows the waters well.  Ms. Bendixen is the first point of contact at PMI and also handles all financials and bookkeeping.  She is a great source of information and support for students, faculty and staff.  Call her with scheduling and general information questions and you'll find her friendly and helpful.

Richard Jewart, Modeling Department Manager ~ RJewart@mates.org
Mr. Jewart joined PMI in 2006 when our modeling department was added.  He brought with him broad based skills and knowledge in all major engineering disciplines, including; Civil, Mechanical, Architectural, Structural and Electrical.  He also has additional skills in 3-D drafting and modeling.

Captain John Kessler, Chief Instructor ~ JKessler@mates.org
Captain Kessler joined PMI in 2001. He has led the development for our Able Seaman to Mate courses. He has many years experience as a maritime instructor and specializes in Entry Level and Third Mate training.

DeeDee Lazik, Vocational Programs Manager ~ DLazik@mates.org

Entering the maritime industry in 1998, Ms. Lazik worked the personnel department and ran the office at a local shipyard in Seattle.  Meeting Pilot, Fishing and Tug company owners and staff, she continued a career in the maritime industry when the shipyard closed.  Joining PMI in 2002 she has run and sustained the growth of the administrative and financial departments.  As Program Manager now, she is in charge of vocational programs.  DeeDee is the point of contact for vocational students.  She interviews potential candidates for the programs and introduces them to potential employers as well.

Captain Doug Pine, Manager, Simulation Department ~ DPine@mates.org
Captain Pine brings with him over 25 years sailing experience, with time spent in a variety of segments of the maritime industry. He has held a Master’s license since 1986, and has served as AB, Mate, and Master aboard Power and Sail charter vessels, Tugboats, Offshore Supply Vessels, Passenger Submarines and with Washington State Ferries. His strong background in computer simulation, writing and teaching adds to his skill set. At PMI, Captain Pine focuses on Simulation and Tugboat Industry projects.

Jennifer Pitzen, Registrar ~ JPitzen@mates.org
Mrs. Pitzen joined PMI in 2004 and has become an integral part of the school.  As Registrar she is responsible for enrolling students in courses and, in line with her education, provides students with exceptional advising services.  She maintains all of the course files and  the student records for the school and is a Certifying Official for the GI BILL, as well as the main contact person for applicants applying for student loans. 

Jill Russell, Training Manager ~ JRussell@mates.org

Jill Russell joined PMI in 2007 after 20 years experience in various facets of the maritime industry.  After she worked her way up to Captain with a Seattle based cruise line, she became heavily involved in maritime training and operations, including serving as a Director of Marine Operations.  In between stints at sea, Jill worked as a USCG approved Instructor and started her own maritime training school to meet the needs of the STCW rush in 2001.  Most recently, Jill worked as a consultant to the maritime industry, concentrating on the development and implementation of marine operations systems and safety training programs.

Captain John Scragg, Director of Operations ~ JScragg@mates.org
Captain Scragg joined PMI in 1998 after twenty years in the British merchant marine. He spent most of his career on passenger vessels and sailed as Captain for WindStar Cruises. He has a British and U.S. Master Mariners License and was the lead developer for our Chief Mate/Master level courses. He oversees the faculty, course development and simulation activity at PMI.

Gregg Trunnell, Director, Business Development ~ GTrunnell@mates.org
Mr. Trunnell is a graduate of California Maritime Academy and holds a degree in Business Administration. He was hired as the Director of PMI in 1997 and began investing in state of the art training equipment and highly qualified instructors. Mr. Trunnell has been firmly at the helm of PMI throughout the STCW95 training rush and has led the evolution of PMI to the full service training provider it is today. His “can do” attitude and infectious work ethic have ensured that PMI remains a valuable resource for the regions mariners and maritime industry.

Marja van Pietersom, Instructor ~ mvpietersom@mates.org

Ms. van Pietersom jointed PMI in 2006 after 20 years in various aspects of the maritime industry.  Teaching mariners for eight years, she excels in the process of helping students achieve their goals through license preparation as well as extra curricular instruction. Marja's extensive knowledge of navigational aspects has been vital in the restructuring and updating of curriculum of PMI's navigational based courses.  Her dedication to the students is unwavering and exceptional.

Ron Zuber, Modeling Department Technician ~ RZuber@mates.org
BIO coming soon.

Faculty

Captain Richard Brooks, Instructor
Captain Brooks joined PMI in 2000 after thirty years at sea, with twenty of those years as Master with Sealand. He is the lead instructor of our medical programs and has a passion for the subject. He volunteers at local emergency wards and is a qualified EMT. Captain Brooks is also approved to teach many of our other courses.

Kurt Anderson, GMDSS Instructor
Mr. Anderson joined PMI in 1999 after a twenty year career as a Radio Officer with Attransco and SeaLand. He is now the lead instructor for our GMDSS courses and worked to develop the new USCG and FCC question pool. Students are sure to benefit from his comprehensive knowledge of radio communications and related equipment.

Captain William Dickerson, Instructor
Captain Dickerson joined PMI in 1999. He has recently retired from sailing as a Master for Horizon Lines and is a 1967 graduate of King’s Point. He wrote PMI’s Advanced Cargo course and is approved to teach most of our courses. Captain Dickerson’s passion is shiphandling and he is an experienced pilot in Alaskan waters.

Steve Burtchaell, Instructor
Mr. Burtchaell joined PMI in 2000. He has thirty years of sea going experience as a Deck Officer and is an Attorney in Admiralty Law. He developed and teaches our Ship Management Course, including Maritime Business and Law. His experience and focus on practical application ensures that students get information and skills they can use in the real world.

Lee Chesneau, Meteorology Instructor
Mr. Chesneau joined PMI in 2002. He has helped develop all of our weather courses. As a full-time meteorologist at the Ocean Predictions Center, he is eminently qualified to teach mariners about weather.

Captain James Cushman

Captain Cushman joined PMI in 2001 after a 30 year career in the United States Coast Guard, retiring as a Captain (0-6), a stint in the towing industry, ship delivering and 7 years as Port Captain Safety & Training Officer and Relief Master for a cruise line.  He holds a Bahamian and U.S. Master Mariner License.

Robert Febos, Instructor
Bio coming soon.

Captain Don Moore, Instructor
Bio coming soon.

Ian Allen, Instructor
Captain Ian Allen has a 30 year career at sea, sailing in all positions from Able Seaman to Master, for various operators, both U.S. and foreign flag. He has worked as a Cargo Surveyor for the the National Cargo Bureau.
He currently sails as Chief Mate for APL Maritime, Ltd., and hold pilotage endorsements for all Puget Sound Ferry Routes, and Waters of Alaska, West of Kodiak Island.

Walter Gibson, 2nd GMDSS Instructor

Mr. Gibson joined PMI in 2000 and participated in the initial development of the GMDSS course.  Retired from a 20-year career in the US Navy as Lieutenant in communications and electronics, Mr. Gibson also served a 21-year career as a Radio Officer serving on LNG and Container ships with Energy Transportation Corporation and Sea-Land, among other companies.  With an extensive background in radio communications and electronics and his technical education, instructing in US Navy technical schools, Mr. Gibson is indeed a great addition to PMI.  With a smooth and relaxed style of instruction he serves as a great aid to student comprehension.