Our Team
Get to know the people behind Argonaut.
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Aidan Hall
Lead Captain - Flotsam/Jetsam -
Courtney Gilliam
Special Inspector/CWI, Intertek -
Devon Sheehy
Career-Based Learning Coordinator -
Drew Ferguson
Founder & Chief Executive Officer -
Eric Peace
Board Chair, Argonaut; Vice President, Lake Carriers' Association -
Frank Madison
STEAM Learning Coordinator -
Ioannis Giagtzoglou
Aviation Instructor -
Jim Marra
Principal & Director of Business Development, Blue Point Capital Partners -
Jim Weisbarth
Finance Manager -
John Wiitala
Vice President of Technical Services, United Airlines -
Joycelyn Harrison, Ph.D.
Board Vice Chair, Argonaut; Associate Dean of Research & Faculty Affairs College of Aeronautics & Engineering, Kent State University -
Kent Stauffer
Vice President Safety, Flexjet -
Michael Schoop, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President - Talent, Greater Cleveland Partnership -
Paul Christensen
Vice President of Operations, Interlake Maritime Services. -
Quinton Oliver
Flotsam & Jetsam Deckhand -
Rick Brown
Director of Tech Ops, United Airlines -
Robert Burger
Partner in Maritime & Admiralty Law, Thompson Hine, LLP -
Rusty Deane
Operations Consultant -
Sam Landgraf
Flotsam & Jetsam Deckhand -
Steve Peplin
Owner & CEO, Talan Products, Board Secretary -
Tim Hatfield
Program Manager -
William Whalen
Jetsam Flotsam Deckhand
Aidan Hall
Lead Captain - Flotsam/Jetsam
Aidan Hall joined the Argonaut team in the spring of 2022 as the Lead Captain for the Flotsam and Jetsam debris harvester vessels. With over five years of experience in the maritime industry, ranging from kayaks and canoes up to the thousand-footers that ply the Great Lakes water, Aidan brings a unique perspective on the Cuyahoga River.
He graduated from the Great Lakes Maritime Academy (GLMA) with a bachelor’s degree in Maritime Transportation along with the following licenses: a USCG Third Mate Unlimited license upon the ocean and a First Class Pilots license for the Great Lakes. After graduating from GLMA, Aidan went to work on the Great Lakes getting experience in every form of working vessel from small 60’ tugs to the 1004’ American Spirit.
In January 2021, Aidan and his fiancé purchased and renovated an old motorhome and traveled the country while living in it full-time with their cat and two dogs. After a year on the road, they decided to move back to Northeast Ohio where they were both born and raised.
Coming back to Cleveland to serve as Lead Captain with Argonaut was an easy decision for Aidan and he is greatly looking forward to the challenge of helping to build an on-water program to help continue the cleanup of the Cuyahoga River.
Courtney Gilliam
Special Inspector/CWI, Intertek
Courtney Gilliam is a Special Inspector/CWI for Kleinfelder- an International Engineering and Material Testing Firm. She is responsible examining structures (Building, Bridges, Transportation etc.), and reporting on their compliance to code and soundness to state agencies and Building Officials. With a degree in Applied Science- focused in Chemistry and Metallurgy- the majority of Courtney’s work involves Welding Inspection or observation of metal applications.
Prior to Inspection and Material Testing, Gilliam began her career and a Structural Welder working for Caterpillar Rail Division, and in Maritime. Now some of her biggest projects now include Amazon Campus “Geo Spheres”, Seattle Space Needle, and Costco Corporate Campus.
When Courtney isn’t working, she enjoys watching hockey and college football, playing pick-up volleyball, traveling, and discovering new restaurants. Although originally from Cleveland Heights, Ohio, she currently lives in the Pacific Northwest, but remains a Buckeye at heart. Courtney is dedicated to becoming a resource for the city that raised her.
Devon Sheehy
Career-Based Learning Coordinator
Devon Sheehy has always been interested in cutting-edge technology and understanding its impact within new frontiers. This interest led him to acquire his FAA UAS Part 107 certification in 2021. Devon’s first experience with Argonaut was as leader of the Drone Club at Davis A&M during SY 2021/22, where he encouraged and helped students gain hands-on experience with this technology. He joined the Argonaut team on a full-time basis in July 2022 as our Career-Based Learning Coordinator and UAS Operator-in-Residence.
A native New Yorker, he decided to experience the southern part of the country to obtain his Bachelor’s Degree in Communications at Spring Hill College. During his undergraduate time, Devon produced multiple documentaries and short films, while participating in extracurricular activities such as collegiate rugby and volunteering at the Mobile Boys & Girls Club. After receiving his Bachelor’s, he returned to New York and entered the commercial film industry, working on commercial sets, such as Izod, Netflix, and Showtime (specifically for the acclaimed show “Billions”).
Devon continued his career pursuing an interest in UAV technology, which led him here in Cleveland. He has since acquired his FAA license and has been working with local Drone Service Providers since 2021.
Devon is a sports enthusiast – whether it be the NY Jets, the Cleveland Guardians or the Cleveland Monsters — he roots for them all. When he’s not flying drones, you can find him on the golf course.
Drew Ferguson
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
D. Andrew Ferguson and partner Douglas McConnell founded Argonaut (formerly known as PHASTAR) in the Fall of 2010. In 2011 he was appointed as the organization’s first President and CEO. In this role, he has been responsible for the overall direction and operations of the organization. His vision and direction lead to the opening of the Davis Aerospace and Maritime High School in 2017.
Argonaut, a non-profit 501c3 organization, seeks to break the cycle of poverty and increase equity in the workforce by providing hands-on experiential learning opportunities and work experience for youth interested in exploring aerospace and maritime.
Ferguson grew up in Northeast Ohio, has served as a firefighter for more than twenty-five years, and is a certified firefighter/EMT and Rescue Technician. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle, and a Master of Public Health degree with a graduate certificate in emergency & disaster management. Ferguson is an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) in helicopters and holds a USCG Captain of 100 tons license. He spends his free time outdoors with his wife and two sons, camping, sailing, fishing, and biking.
Eric Peace
Board Chair, Argonaut; Vice President, Lake Carriers' Association
Eric Peace joined the Lake Carriers’ Association as the Director of Operations and Communications in 2019 after retiring as a Commander with more than 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard.
While in the service, he drove Coast Guard operations, specifically icebreaking. He served in command positions on three Great Lakes icebreakers including the USCGC MACKINAW homeported in Cheboygan, MI. His final assignment in uniform was as the Program Manager for all ice operations at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. While in this position he published numerous policy papers and strategic documents advocating for new Polar Icebreaker procurement and synergy in Coast Guard workforce experience between Great Lakes icebreaking sailors and those needed in the future on the new Polar Icebreakers.
Eric earned a Master of Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University after completing a thesis on U.S. and Canadian icebreaking and received a Bachelor of Science in Government from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
Frank Madison
STEAM Learning Coordinator
Frank Madison joined the Argonaut team in July 2022. He is a product of CMSD, graduating from MC2 STEM High School in 2014 where he found his passion for design and fabrication. Since then he has been immersed in the life of fabrication and the maker movement. Frank started working professionally in fabrication with TIES as a Fab Fellow. At TIES, he assisted with lesson planning in STEM fields for elementary and middle school students and also helped manage the MC2 STEM High School Fab Lab. While doing so, he was also attending Cleveland State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. Frank completed that goal by graduating Cum Laude in 2018 with his degree in design.
After college Frank focused on design but also stayed attached to the Fab Lab at MC2 STEM. In 2017 while becoming the lead designer for a start-up tech company, Technology in Color, he landed an internship at Hawken Schools. As an intern, he helped formulate lesson plans, assisted projects at local events, and oversaw open lab hours. After that Frank continued with his design work starting at Blackbird Digital in 2020. While working there, he headlined his first art show “Black Art Matters” in Cleveland, OH creating a series of art depicting the stereotypes of a black man.
Ioannis Giagtzoglou
Aviation Instructor
Ioannis Giagtzoglou joined Argonaut in February 2023 as our Aviation Instructor. A graduate of Northrup Rice Aviation Institute, he brings 28 years of experience in aviation in the corporate, airline and general aviation sectors. He holds an Airframe and Powerplant License, Inspection Authorization License, Private Pilot License and a FAA UAS Part 107 License. Prior to joining Argonaut, Ioannis was the aircraft maintenance manager for PACE Aviation and volunteered his time to restore the Piper Cherokee now used in the aviation program. When not busy with work, you can find him out flying planes, drones or designing on his metalworking lathe, milling machine and 3D printer.
Jim Marra
Principal & Director of Business Development, Blue Point Capital Partners
James Marra is currently the Principal and Director of Business Development at Blue Point Capital Partners where he is responsible for identifying investment opportunities, sourcing senior and mezzanine debt, and building relationships with business owners.
James earned his Bachelor’s degree from The Pennsylvania State University, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Pittsburgh.
James is actively engaged in the Cleveland business and education communities. He is currently a Board member and Finance Committee head for Entrepreneurial Preparatory Academy (a CMSD-sponsored charter school for grades 6-12), a Board of Trustees member with Rock Ethics Institute (founded within the Penn State academic community), and a Board member with UCP Cleveland. James is also a guest speaker at the Weatherhead School Business, Notre Dame College, and Penn State University.
James founded the James P. and Jonni L. Marra Scholarship Fund at Penn State University, and was a former fundraiser and organizer for the Friends of Breakthrough Schools.
Jim Weisbarth
Finance Manager
Jim Weisbarth joined the Argonaut team in early 2022 and serves as the organization’s Finance Manager. Prior to working for Argonaut, his nonprofit experience included time at Open Doors Academy, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. In addition, he has spent his entire career in the accounting field with extensive experience with SEC reporting, financial reporting, and analysis, general ledger account analysis, month-end closing, budgeting, forecasting, and benefits accounting, within the insurance, retail, property management, and manufacturing industries.
Weisbarth obtained a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Akron, where he was a member of the Sigma Pi fraternity. He received a Master of Business Administration degree from Baldwin Wallace University. In 1987 he earned the designation of Fellow of the Life Management Institute.
Weisbarth is a member of the Olmsted Falls City Schools Board of Education (in his 18th year) and the Polaris Career Center Board of Education (in his 6th year) and currently serves as the President of both. He is active in the Cleveland Football Officials Association and is a member of the Cleveland Browns chain crew since they returned in 1999.
Married to Debbie, he is a proud father of three children and five grandchildren. He lives in Olmsted Falls and grew up in Fairview Park. With the time Weisbarth has spent outside his regular jobs, public education has become a second career, and feels fortunate for the opportunity to further and expand Argonaut.
John Wiitala
Vice President of Technical Services, United Airlines
John Wiitala is vice president of technical services for United, the world’s leading airline. He is responsible for the technical groups that support United’s aircraft configurations, operations, and maintenance. These technical support groups include engineering, inspection, quality assurance, reliability, maintenance programs, technical publications, and aircraft records.
Prior to this role, Wiitala was managing director of product and service engineering. He joined the company in 1992 and held a number of engineering jobs throughout the organization including director of engineering and managing director of project engineering.
Wiitala began his aviation career in 1988 in project engineering at Aircraft Modular Products in Miami, Florida. Wiitala received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Iowa. He is married and has two children
Joycelyn Harrison, Ph.D.
Board Vice Chair, Argonaut; Associate Dean of Research & Faculty Affairs College of Aeronautics & Engineering, Kent State University
Dr. Joycelyn Harrison is a chemical engineer by trade as well as a research scientist, mentor, and STEM champion. She is an award-winning engineer and prolific inventor.
Harrison is a 1987 graduate of Spelman College, in Atlanta, where she earned her degree in chemistry. That same year she also earned a degree in chemical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, from which she later received her M.S. (1989) and Ph.D. (1993) in chemical engineering. Harrison’s research specialty has been in piezoelectric materials, electro-active polymers that move or change shape when exposed to electrical stimulation and have potential applications as synthetic muscles in robotics and for use in outer space. She jointly holds 23 patents involving these materials, which can facilitate the repair of satellites and improvements in such various devices as robots, heart pumps, and audio speakers.
Harrison worked at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton as a research engineer and later as chief of the Advanced Materials and Processing Branch. She was part of the team that developed THUNDER (Thin-Layer Composite-Unimorph Piezoelectric Driver and Sensor) technology, for which they received R&D Magazine’s annual R&D 100 Award as one of that year’s best innovations in research and development. For her work, NASA awarded Harrison the Exceptional Achievement Medal in 2000 and the Outstanding Leadership Medal in 2006. National Women in Color honored Harrison with a Technology All-Star Award in 1998.
Kent Stauffer
Vice President Safety, Flexjet
Kent Stauffer is leading aviation safety, maintenance, quality, and operations professional who heads the safety, quality, training, and facilities departments for Constant Aviation. In addition to being an FAA certificated pilot, UAS Pilot, and A&P, he holds several accreditations in Aviation Science, and Aviation Maintenance as well as a Certificate of Aviation Safety and Security from The University of Southern California. Kent has a broad background in aviation maintenance, operations, and safety. His expertise includes human factors, fatigue management, flight and ground operations, risk management, OSHA, EPA, hazardous materials, Safety Management Systems (SMS), and aviation accident investigation. Kent has served as a Designated Aircraft Accident Investigator (AAI) in corporate aviation incident and accident investigations as well as several NTSB investigations.
With a background in music from the University of Wyoming Casper College, Kent previously spent time in the music industry including advising and ownership of record label and recording studio startups and operations. Additionally, Kent previously operated as a long-haul transport driver in semi-trucks and luxury coaches with over 2 million miles accident-free.
As an active member of the FAA Safety Action Team (FAAST), Kent speaks throughout the country at FAA forums and industry conferences on operations, safety, and maintenance topics. Kent serves on various industry and FAA-sponsored work groups and organizations and participates as an advisory board member for several Part 147 schools as well as serving as a board member of the Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC). Currently, Kent chairs the NBAA Maintenance Safety Sub-Committee. Kent spends his free time camping, flying, riding motorcycles, and traveling in general with his wife and son.
Michael Schoop, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President - Talent, Greater Cleveland Partnership
Michael Schoop has more than twenty years of executive experience as a community college dean, vice president, and campus president. He currently serves as president and CEO of Scope Unlimited, a consultancy that designs virtual leadership experiences.
Michael taught numerous undergraduate courses in writing and composition and graduate courses in community college leadership, history, and finance. His most recent courses have focused on the intersection between innovation, economic development, and the growth of community colleges and other learning organizations. He has also given presentations at regional and national conferences on rhetorical theory, innovation and learning, and the future of higher education.
Michael is engaged with the greater Cleveland community and has served on the board of a number of non-profit organizations including Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, Burton, Bell Carr, Inc., the Campus District, Inc, and the Black Professional Association Charitable Foundation.
Michael received his baccalaureate degree from the University of Chicago and both his Master’s and Doctorate from the University of Maryland.
Paul Christensen
Vice President of Operations, Interlake Maritime Services.
As Vice President of Operations for Interlake, Paul oversees the day-to-day operations of The Interlake Steamship Company fleet and all associated safety, quality, regulatory, and environmental stewardship programs. Paul is Interlake’s Incident Response and Management Team member and a Qualified Individual (OPA ’90). He is trained as an Incident Commander/On-scene Coordinator and a Designated Person Ashore.
He previously served as Director of Vessel Operations and Security before assuming his current position in January 2021. Before coming ashore in 2016, Paul was a Relief Captain on many of Interlake’s vessels after sailing in ascending positions since joining Interlake in 2006. During that decade, Paul sailed on each of the nine working freighters in the fleet. In 2019, Paul was awarded a Public Service Commendation from the United States Coast Guard for his exceptional support of USCG Maritime Industry Rescue Training aboard Interlake vessels underway. A Lake Carriers’ Association’s Operations Committee member.
A graduate of The Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 2006, Paul earned his Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and an Unlimited Third Mate Open Oceans License.
Quinton Oliver
Flotsam & Jetsam Deckhand
Rick Brown
Director of Tech Ops, United Airlines
Rick Brown is the director of technical operations training for United Airlines. He is responsible for the training of United’s 10,000 technicians and support personnel around the world.
Prior to joining United in 2017, Rick was the director of training services for L3 and oversaw their north america part 142 pilot training group. He also retired from Delta Air Lines serving in roles within Flight Ops training and in Technical Operations as an aircraft technician.
Rick graduated from Embry Riddle University and holds a Bachelor of Professional Aeronautics and an A&P license. Rick got his start in aviation as a KC-135 crew chief in the United States Air Force. He is married with 2 children.
Robert Burger
Partner in Maritime & Admiralty Law, Thompson Hine, LLP
Rob is a partner in the firm’s Admiralty & Maritime practice group. He is a U.S. Coast Guard licensed deck officer
(since 1987) and focuses his practice on a wide range of maritime matters including both litigation and transactions.
Rob has represented shipowners in trials in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Texas and Washington, variously in
both federal court and state court. Rob has also represented shipowners before state environmental agencies and in
connection with U.S. Coast Guard investigations.
Rob handles litigation matters involving defense of seamen personal injury cases alleging negligence under the
Jones Act and unseaworthiness under general maritime law; carriage of goods and passengers alleging breach of
contract, personal injury, detention, demurrage, dispatch, etc.; cargo damage cases under the Carriage of Goods by
Sea Act, the Harter Act, common carriage and private carriage; collision and allision cases with issues of improper
lookout, errors in navigation, obstructions to navigation, tug operations, latent defects, machinery failure, etc.; marine insurance; and in rem actions under Supplemental Admiralty Rules based on vessel arrests and cargo seizures. Rob handles transactional matters involving charter parties and contracts of carriage, which include time-, voyage-, and sub-charters, contracts of affreightment, booking notes, float agreements, common carriage and private carriage; vessel documentation and finance; and towage contracts.
Rob has taught sailing and boat-handling to kids and adults, both as a US Sailing certified instructor and as a US Coast Guard licensed captain. After graduating from Maine Maritime Academy with an unlimited 3rd Mate license, Rob sailed for Sea-Land aboard a 700’ container ship in foreign trade and then for Interlake Steamship aboard a 1000’ bulker in Great Lakes trade. He also served aboard the T/V State of Maine for a 2-month long cruise as Training Officer, teaching nautical science and navigation to academy students. While at Thompson Hine, Rob has taught admiralty law classes at Cleveland-Marshal Law School. Most recently, Rob has conducted safety seminars for the Great Lakes Singlehanded Society, teaching preparation, methods, equipment and safety for long distance solo passage-making.
Before joining the board for Argonaut, Rob was Secretary/Treasurer for the Propeller Club, Port of Cleveland, for eight years as a member if its Board of Governors and past president. One of the Propeller Club’s primary missions is to support regional maritime education programs, and Argonaut has been a benefactor of the Club’s scholarship program for several years.
Rusty Deane
Operations Consultant
Sam Landgraf
Flotsam & Jetsam Deckhand
Steve Peplin
Owner & CEO, Talan Products, Board Secretary
As a lifelong entrepreneur, Steve Peplin has started and operated numerous companies, all in the specialty building trades or building products industries.
Steve Peplin studied architectural engineering at the University of Wyoming. Prior to & after that, he had a series of “adventure” jobs including chef, logger, oilfield roughneck, cowboy, vertical construction worker & sailor.
With a heritage as a 3rd generation manufacturer, he started Talan Products in 1986 with $2,100 & 2 partners. Talan has since grown into a recognized industry leader in manufacturing for the renewable energy & building products industries.
As CEO of Talan, Steve has successfully fostered a culture of innovation, progressive management, high performance & collaboration. Talan’s recognition includes numerous awards for growth, innovation, safety, & manufacturing excellence.
Steve’s hobbies include cooking, unicycling, juggling, golf, skiing, motorcycle trips, sailboat racing, shooting, and hot air ballooning.
Gregarious & affable, Steve Peplin enjoys every day on the job.
Tim Hatfield
Program Manager
Timothy Hatfield joined the Argonaut team in Fall 2021 and is reaching almost eight years in the individual and family services and out-of-school time industry. He started his career serving four years in the AmeriCorps Corps for Rural and Urban Success and Health program, facilitating over ten high school and middle school Health Profession Affinity Community (HPAC) sites. During his time in AmeriCorps, he assisted students in identifying a health disparity in their communities and developing community action plans that would either raise awareness of the disparity or build a program that contributes to the prevention of the disparity. At the same time, he was the Director of the subprogram of AmeriCorps called, HealthSuccess. His role was to develop internship and shadowing opportunities for underrepresented rural and urban high school students in the Northeast Ohio region who expressed interest in entering a career in health science. His experience with AmeriCorps inspired Tim to continue serving in the non-profit industry. He redirected his degree and completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Health and Sociology from Hiram College in 2018.
After his journey with AmeriCorps, Tim sought out an opportunity with Open Doors Academy (ODA) and landed a position as Site Coordinator for Euclid City Schools. In his role at ODA, Tim was responsible for creating a safe learning environment for his program. His role included implementing a programming curriculum, tracking student success, fostering partnerships with school personnel, and overall making sure the students had an enjoyable experience with learning. At ODA, Tim was the President of the Culture Council where he and a team of fellow staff members developed and implemented initiatives that would boost inclusion, motivation, and productivity in the workplace. Inspired by the work he was doing; Tim continued his education by attending South University and obtained his Masters’s in Public Administration in November 2021 He was recently inducted into the Delta Mu Delta Honor Society for his achievements in October 2021.
William Whalen
Jetsam Flotsam Deckhand
William is a 2023 Graduate of Davis Aerospace and Maritime High School. He has joined the Argonaut team in an effort to build his sea hours, so he can apply for his merchant maritime credentials and eventually apply to become and able bodied seaman. He is working aboard the Jetsam Flotsam vessels as a deckhand and mentor to our student interns.