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MARPRO PROFILE Parker LarsonIBy Joseph Keefe Director of Commercial ProgramsGeneral Dynamics NASSCO Shipyard, San Diego, CA Interview When we caught up with NASSCO?s Parker Larson in December, he had only just been promoted to Director of Commercial Programs at the sprawl- ing San Diego, CA shipyard. Previously NASSCO?s Program Manager for Commercial Contracts, he no doubt played a large role in the recent high pro le deals won by NASSCO, in particular the two 3,100 TEU LNG-powered containerships for TOTE, Inc. Additionally, he was responsible for design, planning, and construction of over $1B in commercial new construction work at NASSCO that includes four 50K DWT product tankers for APT, two 50K DWT product tankers for Seacor Holdings, and the design contract for the conversion of two TOTE Orca Class trailerships to operate on LNG. The impressive commercial backlog promises to keep him even busier for the foreseeable future in his new role. Starting his career at NASSCO in 2003 as a Production As- sociate for the Ship?s Management Team, Larson then moved into roles of increasing responsibility including Production Area Manager on the T-AKE program for the Navy, Deputy Program Manager on the PC-1 product tanker program for APT, Manager of Commercial Engineering Projects, and Pro- gram Manager in Business Development & Strategic Planning. Larson?s love for shipbuilding began with his educational experience(s).Parker attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY, graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Engineer- ing & Shipyard Management. Along the way, he also received a Master of Science Degree in Oceans Systems Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA where he wrote his thesis on LNG infrastructure in the United States. Parker has spent the past two years developing his knowledge of LNG propulsion in the commercial market- place. He also completed the Program Manager?s Course at the Defense Acquisition University in 2009. Along the way, Larson has served in several shipyard roles including production, engineering, business development, and program management. Directly involved in the transformation of NASSCO?s business model for commercial new construc- tion through collaboration with Daewoo (DSME/DSEC) start- ing in 2006, he naturally hit the ground running in his new role. Nevertheless, MarPro convinced him to slow down in Decem- ber, if only brie y, to get his take on all things shipbuilding. Re ecting on his chosen career path, Larson told MarPro, ?Shipbuilding, as a facet of the maritime industry, is an in- credibly satisfying career path. There are very few careers in the world where you can design and construct such a  nely engineered product and then watch it become an operational entity that lives on for 30+ years. For me, being part of that process is uniquely special.? Perhaps the most interesting part of Larson?s CV is his knowl- edge of LNG and how that eventually could play a big role in the construction of the containerships and trailerships. As he was promoted to Director of Commercial Programs at NASS- CO earlier this year, that experience and knowledge base no doubt didn?t hurt him on his climb up the food chain. More than Larson?s job billet will change as he assumes a new role. He ex- plained, ?In addition to the program management responsibili-ties tied to NASSCO?s existing commercial new construction backlog, I have direct production interface. For example, I will manage the commercial ship management team which serves as 20 | Maritime Professional | 4Q 2013MP #4 18-33.indd 20MP #4 18-33.indd 2012/11/2013 1:04:45 PM12/11/2013 1:04:45 PM