Heart & Hull: Elena Calhoun
Heart & Hull highlights the "saltwater roots" of the BMD team that brings real-world maritime experience to every design. This series explores how our time on the water translates into more practical, reliable, and buildable vessels, proving that a BMD design is built with as much heart as it is engineering.
In the world of naval architecture, there is a distinct advantage to having worked on vessels so large you can walk through the engine cylinders. At Boksa Marine Design (BMD), we believe that understanding the massive scale of maritime commerce makes us sharper engineers for every vessel we touch. Whether it is a rugged commercial workboat or a sophisticated recreational build, Elena Calhoun, a marine systems engineer at BMD’s Tampa headquarters, brings a "big-picture" expertise that ensures every system is as reliable as it is precise.
As a licensed USCG 3rd assistant engineer (unlimited tonnage) and a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserves, Calhoun doesn't just design systems; she has lived them.
“Working in engine rooms allows me to understand all the systems I design daily – their functions and how they interact with every other system on the ship.”
A Global Foundation
Calhoun’s journey began at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). While she originally envisioned a career in civil engineering, the draw of the maritime world shifted her focus to the water. At USMMA, students spend a full year at sea completing rigorous technical projects. During her time as a cadet, Calhoun worked aboard two container ships and an oil tanker, traversing the globe.
Upon graduation, Calhoun was commissioned as an officer in the Navy Reserves. For her reserve duty, she typically works on Military Sealift Command vessels, supporting the crew and gaining the kind of hands-on experience that can’t be replicated in a classroom.
The Shipyard Perspective
Beyond her time at sea, Calhoun brings deep experience from both commercial and government shipyards. Her resume includes work with NAVSEA on aircraft carriers, as well as projects involving tugs, barges, Coast Guard cutters, and research vessels.
This shipyard background is a secret weapon for a design engineer.
"It allows me to understand how systems are actually built and utilized by the operators," she says. "It shapes the design when you know which systems get installed first, the requirements of classification societies, and the overall yard period timeline."
The “Big-to-Small” Advantage
Before joining the BMD team, Calhoun worked as a project planner at Gulf Marine Repair Corporation, where she learned the complex operational choreography of ship construction and repair. Transitioning from massive commercial and government hulls to recreational yachts was, for her, a logical progression.
"While recreational boats can be smaller in scale, the systems are very similar to what I’m used to," Calhoun notes. "It was a very easy transition."
Whether she is working on an explorer yacht or a high-performance refit, her goal remains the same: ensuring the complex web of mechanical and electrical systems is as efficient as it is reliable.
Breaking Barriers
Recognized by Marine Log as one of the Top Women in Maritime for 2025, Calhoun represents a small, but growing, number of women in a traditionally male-dominated field.
"It’s nice to be recognized," she says. "I am often the only woman or one of very few in this job. I hope to inspire other women to join this field or break barriers in their own careers."
When she isn’t tracing systems or perfecting designs, Calhoun is a golfer and an avid cook. She and her husband are also preparing for their next big adventure: welcoming their first child this August.
At BMD, she appreciates the energy of a forward-thinking team where new ideas are welcomed, while also ensuring that every project is completed to the customer’s expectations.
Ready to Work with Elena Calhoun?
Connect with Calhoun at upcoming industry events or request a time to meet via the form below.