Leadership

Lee has led MARCOM as President since he founded the company in 2012. He has overseen MARCOM’s emergence as one of the preeminent preservation companies in the Port of Hampton Roads.

He began his career in 1978, working for MP Industries, based out of Baltimore, Maryland, which was one of the top preservation companies in the country. He served in various roles culminating in 1988 when he was named the Marine Operations Manager. In 1992, he left to co-found United Coatings Corporation, which was headquartered in Portsmouth, Virginia. Within a short period of time, United Coatings emerged as one of the top providers of surface preparation and preservation services to the US Navy. In April of 2012, as it became evident that the cost reimbursement contract structure was coming to an end in ship repair, Lee formed MARCOM Services, LLC to provide the Port with an experienced small business option, well suited to perform under the “fixed price” contract structure.

Lee was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He is a 1978 graduate of Bowling Green State University where he was an All- Conference lacrosse player.

He and his wife Mary are proud parents of four children and are also blessed with eleven grandchildren. Lee still competes on the lacrosse field as a player on the Senior Grandmasters level and as a coach for a local high school girls lacrosse team.

George serves as the Executive Vice President of MARCOM, where he leads the overall operations and strategy of the company. George holds a BA in Business and Economics from Randolph-Macon College and an MBA from the College of William and Mary.

George began his career in the Ship Repair Industry at Earl Industries, where he worked in production, quality assurance, cost estimating, and project management. George worked for General Dynamics NASSCO as a Program Manager following the acquisition of Earl Industries. In this role at General Dynamics, George achieved success negotiating contracts, initiating process improvements, and leading one of the largest Coatings divisions in the country.

In 2015, George was excited to join the team at MARCOM, a small family business. He has used his experience at one of the country’s largest shipyards to optimize MARCOM’s market fit as a small business provider and help drive exponential growth.

Outside of work, George enjoys spending time with his wife, four children, and goldendoodle.

Shannon Ferguson serves as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at MARCOM, overseeing the Accounting, Human Resources, and Administrative departments. Shannon joined MARCOM in 2023, bringing with him the business acumen to shape the company’s profitability and future growth. He holds a BA in Business & Economics from the Virginia Military Institute.

With twenty-five years of progressive experience in accounting, finance, and treasury services, Shannon has established himself as an expert in ERP implementations, strategic planning, and financial analysis. His previous management positions include Sr. Director of Finance, Head of FP&A and Treasury at DroneUp LLC, Controller at Bake Fresh LLC, Operations Controller at Swimways LLC, and Cost Accounting Supervisor at Flowserve Corporation.

Shannon is married to his wife, Lorie. Both are natives of Hampton Roads and now reside in Virginia Beach with their four children. Outside of work, Shannon is an avid saltwater angler and fishing enthusiast, enjoying the local waters and the challenges they bring.

Ethan Holmes is the Director of Operations at MARCOM, bringing with him 24 years of extensive experience in preservation. He graduated from Plymouth State University in 2000 and began his career at Tri State Painting, a leading bridge and industrial preservation company in the Northeast. During his 12 years there, Ethan worked on many high-profile projects along the east coast, serving as a project manager.

In 2012, Ethan was a founding member of a new company in the ship repair industry, where he served as the Operations Manager. Over the next decade, his leadership was instrumental in growing the company into one of the elite ship repair businesses in the area. Ethan successfully executed some of the most complex preservation projects on Navy ships, showcasing his dedication to excellence and his expertise in the field.

Ethan’s dedication to his work and commitment to excellence are evident in his career achievements. At MARCOM, he leverages his extensive experience to lead an already experienced team, ensuring the safety, schedule, and quality of every vessel they work on.

Stuart Vest currently serves as the Vice President of Production at MARCOM, where he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of waterfront operations and production. He leads all project superintendents, foreman, supervisors, and craftworkers, ensuring efficient coordination and execution of projects.

Stuart has over 15 years in the ship repair and coatings industry, beginning his career at United Coatings and Earl Industries, where he gained valuable experience. He later worked as a Project Superintendent at General Dynamics NASSCO, further solidifying his expertise in overseeing large-scale projects.

Prior to his involvement in the ship repair industry, Stuart owned a construction business, which provided him with valuable insights into managing and coordinating large crews and integrating competing work activities.

Joining MARCOM in 2016, Stuart has made significant contributions to the company’s growth, effectively managing operations during a period of rapid expansion. His leadership skills and experience have been instrumental in ensuring operational efficiency and success.

Kevin O’Connell currently holds the position of Vice President of Programs and Contracts at MARCOM, where he oversees business operations, including estimating, project management, and contracts. With a career spanning over 25 years in the marine preservation industry, Kevin brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role.

Throughout his career, Kevin has held leadership positions in some of the largest preservation companies and shipyards in the country. Having started in the maintenance department, Kevin has worked his way up through the industry, gaining valuable experience at every level. From working as a Superintendent and Project Manager, he has developed a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of the marine preservation field.

Kevin joined MARCOM in 2018, and his exceptional leadership skills and contractual expertise have played a pivotal role in driving profitability for the company. His ability to navigate complex contracts and optimize program operations has contributed significantly to MARCOM’s success.

Ryan Weatherby serves as the General Manager of MARCOM’s West Coast Division, where he is responsible for launching and leading operations in San Diego. In this role, Ryan oversees all day-to-day functions of the division, including profit and loss, business development, customer relationships, and project execution. His focus is on expanding MARCOM’s footprint on the West Coast while ensuring the company’s core values and standards of excellence are upheld.

Ryan joined MARCOM in 2022 as Director of Programs, where he led Project and Program Management and guided a team of Project Managers in coordinating and delivering projects with precision. His contributions in customer service, project integration, and leadership quickly distinguished him and paved the way for his promotion to General Manager of the new division.

An alumnus of Auburn University, Ryan studied Political Science and pre-law, bringing a unique perspective to his leadership style. With more than 13 years of experience in the ship repair and preservation industry, he has served in project management, business development, cost estimating, and project engineering at both large shipyards and smaller firms. Ryan is also a NACE-certified coatings inspector, further enhancing his technical expertise.

Ryan’s combination of hands-on industry knowledge, business acumen, and customer-focused leadership positions him to drive MARCOM’s growth and long-term success on the West Coast.

David Johnson currently serves as the Quality Assurance Manager at MARCOM, where he is responsible for managing the company’s Quality Assurance (QA) Department and leading the team of QA Inspectors.

David holds several prestigious industry certifications, including NACE CIP Level 3 Peer Review, PMP (Project Management Professional), Quality Control Supervisor (QCS), and Supervision in Ship Repair.

With 25 years of experience in the ship repair and preservation industries, David brings a wealth of expertise to his role. He began his career at BAE Systems, where he held positions as a technician, supervisor, and planner. Over time, David transitioned into the QA Department, serving as an inspector, supervisor, and ultimately becoming the QA Manager for one of the largest private shipyards in the country.

Joining MARCOM in 2023, David’s unrivaled reputation and professionalism in the industry make him a valuable asset to the organization. His strong leadership and commitment to maintaining high-quality standards play a crucial role in ensuring MARCOM’s continued success.

Matthew Key-Baldwin holds the role of Program Manager for New Construction at MARCOM, where he oversees the company’s program dedicated to preserving large mechanical structures in support of Aircraft Carrier and Submarine construction.

Matthew began his career as a student at the Newport News Apprentice School, where he laid the foundation for his knowledge. Initially working as a sandblaster, he gained practical experience in preservation techniques. In 2010, Matthew joined United Coatings and Earl Industries as a Quality Assurance trainee, and later became a Lead Quality Assurance Inspector at General Dynamics NASSCO.

Matthew Key-Baldwin joined MARCOM in 2016 as the Quality Assurance Manager. In 2023, he assumed the role of leading MARCOM’s developing New Construction Program, leveraging his extensive experience and industry knowledge to drive success in this new program.

Mr. John Paul Adams has been a part of the corrosion control community in Norfolk, Virginia for more than thirty years. Beginning his career in the shipyard industry in 1986 at Phillyship of Norfolk, he cultivated his knowledge and graduated quickly to his new home in the Estimating Department.

Mr. Adams joined United Coatings, a division of Earl Industries, in 1993 as an Estimator, and was promoted to Estimating Manager in 2001. At that point, he was distinguished in his responsibilities, and was overseeing all preservation related work for Earl Industries, Inc. and United Coatings. In the period between 2010 and 2017, Mr. Adams joined another marine preservation company as Contracts Manager and Estimator. MARCOM Services had a need in October 2017 for an Estimator, which Mr. Adams happily accepted, reunited with many of the professionals he had once worked with at United Coatings.

Mr. Adams has extensive experience with marine related preservation on all vessels, from service craft to aircraft carriers, and in all forms of preservation and coating types. He is known as a consummate professional throughout the Norfolk, Virginia waterfront.