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IInterviewMARPRO PROFILEParker LarsonDirector of Commercial ProgramsGeneral Dynamics NASSCO Shipyard, San Diego, CABy Joseph KeefeWhen we caught up with NASSCO’s Parker Larsonin December, he had only just been promoted toDirector of Commercial Programs at the sprawlingSan Diego, CA shipyard. Previously NASSCO’s ProgramManager for Commercial Contracts, he no doubt played alarge role in the recent high profile deals won by NASSCO,in particular the two 3,100 TEU LNG-powered containershipsfor TOTE, Inc. Additionally, he was responsible for design,planning, and construction of over $1B in commercial newconstruction work at NASSCO that includes four 50K DWTproduct tankers for APT, two 50K DWT product tankers forSeacor Holdings, and the design contract for the conversionof two TOTE Orca Class trailerships to operate on LNG. Theimpressive commercial backlog promises to keep him evenbusier for the foreseeable future in his new role.Starting his career at NASSCO in 2003 as a Production Associatefor the Ship’s Management Team, Larson then movedinto roles of increasing responsibility including ProductionArea Manager on the T-AKE program for the Navy, DeputyProgram Manager on the PC-1 product tanker program forAPT, Manager of Commercial Engineering Projects, and ProgramManager in Business Development & Strategic Planning.Larson’s love for shipbuilding began with his educationalexperience(s).Parker attended the United States MerchantMarine Academy in Kings Point, NY, graduating magna cumlaude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Engineering& Shipyard Management. Along the way, he also receiveda Master of Science Degree in Oceans Systems Managementfrom the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge,MA where he wrote his thesis on LNG infrastructure in theUnited States. Parker has spent the past two years developinghis knowledge of LNG propulsion in the commercial marketplace.He also completed the Program Manager’s Course atthe Defense Acquisition University in 2009.Along the way, Larson has served in several shipyard rolesincluding production, engineering, business development, andprogram management. Directly involved in the transformationof NASSCO’s business model for commercial new constructionthrough collaboration with Daewoo (DSME/DSEC) startingin 2006, he naturally hit the ground running in his new role.Nevertheless, MarPro convinced him to slow down in December,if only briefly, to get his take on all things shipbuilding.Reflecting on his chosen career path, Larson told MarPro,“Shipbuilding, as a facet of the maritime industry, is an incrediblysatisfying career path. There are very few careers inthe world where you can design and construct such a finelyengineered product and then watch it become an operationalentity that lives on for 30+ years. For me, being part of thatprocess is uniquely special.”Perhaps the most interesting part of Larson’s CV is his knowledgeof LNG and how that eventually could play a big role inthe construction of the containerships and trailerships. As hewas promoted to Director of Commercial Programs at NASS-CO earlier this year, that experience and knowledge base nodoubt didn’t hurt him on his climb up the food chain. More thanLarson’s job billet will change as he assumes a new role. He explained,“In addition to the program management responsibilitiestied to NASSCO’s existing commercial new constructionbacklog, I have direct production interface. For example, I willmanage the commercial ship management team which serves as20 | Maritime Professional | 4Q 2013