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the general public, investors and politicians because so much of

BlueTech is offshore, out of sight and out of mind. And yet Blue

Tech companies are a critically important part of the economy.

In February 2016, NOAA published its ? rst-ever economic study on the Ocean Enterprise, which TMA co-authored, that found more than 400 companies in 36 states doing over $7

Billion in sales annually. This important study, our San Di- ego Maritime Industry Study 2012, and other Blue Economy studies need to be shared with elected of? cials and say “Hey, look how many jobs this industry supports.” We need to bet- ter understand and explain the size and growth of the U.S. and the global Blue Economy. We need more federal invest- ment in the U.S. And we need to work together to create more innovative companies and good paying, Blue Jobs.

Greg Murphy, Executive Director,

The Maritime Alliance & TMA Foundation

Greg Murphy started as Executive Director of The Maritime

Alliance in November 2015 after serving six years as Policy

Advisor for San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox, advis- ing him in his roles on the California Coastal Commission and the National Ocean Council Governance Coordinating

Committee. While working for the Supervisor, Greg served on the board of The Maritime Alliance Foundation for two years. Prior to his work in public policy, Greg was a program manager in the UC San Diego Alumni Association where he started an award-winning alumni relations program with a team of 30 interns. Greg brings his experience in economic development, event coordination, fundraising, grant writing, non-pro? t management, public policy and workforce devel- opment to The Maritime Alliance where he helps organize the largest maritime technology cluster in the United States.

He graduated in 2008 from the University of California, San

Diego with a degree in political science.

www.marinetechnologynews.com

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