Captain Holmes is the Director of Operations for STAX Engineering. He has over 40 years of experience in positions that include Independent Marine Consultant, Chief Operating Officer, Fortune 500 executive, and senior level Coast Guard Officer. His consulting clients have included The Port of Oakland, The Port of Long Beach, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

From 2014 to 2017 Captain Holmes was a consultant for the Advanced Environmental Group, a Long Beach Company that developed and placed into service one of the first barge-based emission reduction systems. In this capacity he was responsible for the safety and operations of the barge. This included installing the emission control system, meeting regulatory requirements, developing operating procedures, interface and coordination with shipping lines, and planning and overseeing barge operations.

Prior to his consulting practice Captain Holmes served as Deputy Executive Director for the Port of Los Angeles, where he was responsible for managing the day-to-day operations at the nation’s largest port. Before joining the port, Captain Holmes was Chief Operating Officer of the Marsec Group, a consulting firm specializing in maritime operations and security. Prior to this, Captain. Holmes was a Vice President at Science Applications International Corporation, where he implemented technological solutions to homeland security challenges.

Captain. Holmes retired from the U.S. Coast Guard in 2003 following 27 years of service. His posts included Captain of the Port for the Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex. Captain Holmes was at the helm on September 11, 2001, and has been credited with actions that led to the creation of number of national maritime security initiatives. During his Coast Guard Career, Captain Holmes specialized in vessel operations and regulatory compliance, serving as Captain of the Port of Saint Louis, and Los Angeles/Long Beach, and as Supervisor of the Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachments in American Samoa and Singapore.

Captain Holmes was a member of the Marine Board of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences from 2008 until 2016. Captain Holmes holds bachelor’s degrees in English and Education from Boston College, a master’s degree in business administration from Washington University, and a Doctorate in Policy, Planning and Development from the University of Southern California.