Our Team
Jeffrey Kuenning
President
Jeff serves as president of BMD, overseeing day-to-day operations, project execution, strategic planning, and firm growth. He brings over 20 years of experience in naval architecture and marine engineering, having advanced through progressive leadership roles including naval architect/marine engineer, director of naval architecture and vice president of operations to his present position.
Jeff’s background combines hands-on technical expertise with operational leadership, allowing him to bridge engineering execution and firmwide strategy. His focus is on delivering predictable, high-quality results for clients while scaling systems, teams, and processes to support sustainable growth across BMD’s expanding geographic and project footprint.
Joshua Trupia
Marine Engineer
Josh is a marine and mechanical engineer with BMD. He is responsible for mechanical and structural engineering, production engineering and propulsion system arrangements. In 2021, Josh relocated from BMD headquarters in Florida to Arkansas, focusing on the inland river market. He specializes in ATBs, barges and pushtugs for operators and shipyards on the Arkansas, Mississippi, Ouchita and White Rivers.
Previously, Josh was a mechanical engineer for Tampa Ship. He also worked as an assistant engineer on tugs for K-Sea Transportation.
Josh graduated from the State University of New York Maritime College and earned a BE Marine Engineering.Trupia is a marine and mechanical engineer responsible for mechanical and structural engineering, production engineering and propulsions system arrangements.
Mike Valentine
Marine Design Manager
Mike is BMD’s marine design manager. His focus is marine design, production engineering and ship constructor modeling.
Previously, Mike worked with Bath Iron Works, a division of General Dynamics, on the label plates team on DDG 51 and the hull outfit team for DDG 1000.
Mike served in the U.S. Army I was in the Army, deployed to Iraq and stationed on the Tallil Air Force Base. He was also an Army Reservist in the 619th Transportation Company out of Auburn, Maine.
Mike earned a BS degree in organizational leadership from the University of Southern Maine.Valentine is a marine designer with Boksa Marine Design focused on production engineering and ship constructor modeling.
James Pilliod
Marine Systems Engineer
James is a marine systems engineer with BMD. He worked as a marine engineer aboard ships for Noble Drilling and was on Noble’s delivery engineering team for new builds with Hyundai Heavy Industries.
Pilliod served as a marine engineer aboard various cargo ships and offshore supply vessels, and enjoys working on small sail and power boats in his spare time. He volunteers with Warrior Sailing Program, racing with disabled veterans, teaching them how to sail in team events. Warrior Sailing Program helps veterans recover physically and mentally, challenging them and building self-confidence through the sport of sailing.
James graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy. He is a USCG 2nd assistant engineer commissioned in U.S. Navy Reserve.
Jack Becker
Naval Architect
Jack is a naval architect with Boksa Marine Design. He designs composite vessels and structures to meet ISO requirements and leads BMD’s FRP engineering division. In 2024, Jack was named to Boating Industry’s 40 under 40 for as an innovator in pleasure craft design and engineering.
Jack was an engine and deck cadet in Pacific Ocean operations for Matson, Inc. He previously interned with Metal Shark Boats in naval architecture and shipyard production. Jack earned dual degrees from Webb Institute with a BS in naval architecture and marine engineering.
Jordan Anger
Marine Electrical Engineer
Jordan is a marine electrical engineer at BMD with a military background and marine industry experience. While in the United States Navy, attached to the USS Hue City and deployed to 5th Fleet, Jordan was awarded two Navy Achievement Medals (NAMs) as an AN/SPY-1 lead radar technician for resolving multiple emergency equipment casualties in a hostile environment. He was also recognized by NSWC Port Hueneme for leading a work center exceeding established AEGIS equipment standards.
Jordan later joined Mikros Systems Corporation as a marine systems integration engineer, collaborating with NSWC Port Hueneme and NSWC Crane on the ADEPT test equipment program. He provided training and technical expertise on the ADEPT (AN/PSM-132) radar test equipment and engineering support for the AN/SYM-3 radar automation system. He also worked at DRS Technologies Inc. as a test engineer on the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) and SPQ-9B radar system, later and serving as a marine electrical engineer at Gulfstream Circuits.
Specializing in Electronic Warfare (EW), weapons system integration and combat systems, Jordan is an honors graduate of Great Lakes Surface Combat Systems and Training Command and AEGIS Training and Readiness Center at Naval Station Dahlgren. He graduated cum laude from the University of South Florida with a BSEE in electrical, electronics and communications engineering.
Luke Tiefenthaler
Marine Systems Engineer
Luke is a marine systems and project engineer niched in designing and integrating propulsion and electrical control systems as well as ABS-certified bridge, navigation and dynamic positioning systems.
Luke previously worked on various U.S. Navy ship design programs, including the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine, the USS Constellation (FFG-62) guided-missile frigate and the TAGOS-25 class Ocean Surveillance ship. He also worked on commercial and military sealift command vessels as a marine engineer including T-AGM-25, T-AKE, T-ARS, and T-AK. Luke graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy; he is a licensed USCG 3rd assistant engineer and a commissioned U.S. Navy reservist.
Andrew Nolan
Junior Naval Architect
Andrew is a junior naval architect with Boksa Marine Design. He has a strong foundation and hands-on experience in the marine industry. Prior to joining BMD, Andrew was a mechanic at Garrison Bight Marina, later climbing the hawsepipe from deckhand to captain on charter fishing and diving vessels. His boatbuilding experience includes work as a composite technician at Lazzara Yachts and Carbon Craft Boats; he was also a welder and blacksmith's assistant at Kyte Metalworks. Additionally, Andrew was an electronics technician at Electro-Mechanical Associates who also interned at MasterCraft Boats.
A graduate of the University of Michigan with a BSE in naval architecture and marine engineering, Andrew participated in UM’s autonomous vessel group. He earned an AS in marine engineering and seamanship from Florida Keys Community College and is a licensed mariner with a USCG 50-ton captain’s license from the San Diego Maritime Institute.
Elena Calhoun
Marine Systems Engineer
As a crew member of BMD’s Marine Systems and Marine Electrical division, Elena is focused on systems engineering for BMD’s Cheoy Lee Yachts Discovery line of explorer pocket yachts.
As a licensed USCG 3rd assistant engineer, unlimited tonnage, Elena is also a LT in the USN Reserves. With hands-on experience in the marine industry, Elena has worked at both commercial and government shipyards, performing systems engineering. Marine Log honored her as one of its Top Women in Maritime for 2025.
Prior to joining BMD, Elena worked as a project planner for Gulf Marine Repair Corporation.
Elena earned a BS degree from the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in marine engineering.
Robin Francis
Naval Architect & Marine Engineer
Robin is a naval architect and marine engineer with BMD. He brings over a decade of experience spanning shipyards, engineering consultancies, and classification societies. He specializes in structural design, weight control, stability analysis, and class compliance for commercial and offshore vessels. His project portfolio includes barges, tugboats, offshore patrol cutters, and alternative fuel bunkering vessels.
Robin is skilled in AutoCAD, Rhino, GHS, FEMAP, and MSC Apex. He brings a hands-on approach to concept development, production design, and technical appraisals, strengthening BMD’s capabilities across engineering disciplines.
RIP Molly Boksa
Salty Sea Dog
For over a decade, sweet Molly sat under her master’s desk during the day on a lounger pillow, juggling tennis balls in-between digesting tidbits on mechanical structures and class certification and Tier 4 compliant marine engines.
Ethan Trupia
Senior Marine Electrical Engineer
Ethan Trupia is a senior marine electrical engineer with nearly 16 years of experience in the maritime industry. He brings deep expertise in both shipboard electrical systems and shoreside industrial power, strengthening the Boksa Marine Design team’s commitment to delivering world-class marine engineering solutions. Throughout his career, Ethan has worked on optimizing electrical systems for various marine applications, from vessels to shore-based infrastructure.
Ethan Trupia specializes in designing and optimizing electrical systems for ships and industrial facilities. He brings extensive experience working with shipboard electrical systems, where he focuses on making power distribution more reliable and efficient for both commercial and government vessels.
Pablo Raspo
Naval Architect - Fort Lauderdale Office
Pablo brings more than 20 years of maritime innovation to life. From racing sailboats cutting through the waves to luxury motor yachts cruising pristine waters, he has designed and engineered vessels that push the boundaries of performance and craftsmanship.
His approach combines advanced finite element analysis with real-world shipyard experience, because the most brilliant design means nothing if it can’t be built efficiently and effectively.
From our new Fort Lauderdale office, Pablo will collaborate directly with builders, yards, and owners worldwide, delivering engineering solutions for both refit and new-build projects. Whether it’s reinforcing a hull for blue-water cruising or supporting a complete new construction, his work represents the intersection of advanced engineering and maritime artistry.
Nick Boska, PE
Founder, CEO & Senior Engineer
Nick Boksa is the founder, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and senior engineer of BMD, which he founded in 2003 and has led for more than 20 years. With nearly 30 years of experience in naval architecture and marine engineering, Nick has directed the design and engineering of a wide range of commercial vessels and pleasure yachts, earning a reputation as a pragmatic, engineering-first problem solver.
Nick holds degrees in naval architecture and marine engineering from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the University of Michigan. He began his career with Burger Boat Company, Davis Yachts, and OSG America, and is a licensed USCG Third Assistant Engineer, with experience both at sea and ashore managing vessel operations, maintenance, and shipyard execution.
Over his career, Nick has served as a shipyard superintendent, fleet naval architect, and design manager for refit, retrofit, and new-construction projects spanning tug and barge systems, tankers, research vessels, passenger vessels, pilot boats, crew boats, and yachts. As CEO and senior engineer, he provides technical leadership, oversees complex engineering challenges, and guides the firm’s long-term engineering direction while continuing to support clients on high-impact projects.