Who We Are

Mark brings his extensive industrial base and sustainment experience in shipbuilding, modernization, and repair, including tours as the 47th Commander of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility; Deputy Commander, Logistics, Maintenance and Industrial Operations (SEA04), Naval Sea Systems Command; Director, Fleet Maintenance, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Vice President, Deputy General Manager, BAE Systems, Inc, Ship Repair, Vice President, General Manager BAE Systems Inc., Norfolk Ship Repair, and Vice President of Industrial Operations, R&P Technologies.

Russell brings his extensive leadership skills and supply chain management expertise from his 25 years of service as a Navy Supply Corps Officer. He also served eight years as a Strategic Analysis Officer for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), including a tour as Special Assistant to Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, NATO’s North American Strategic Commander, responsible for the transformation of the Alliance’s military forces, structures, and capabilities.

Dr. Jessica M. Johnson is a Research Assistant Professor and Director of the Applied Cognitive Engineering and Simulation Lab (ACES Lab) at the Virginia Digital Maritime Center housed within Old Dominion University’s Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation. Her research focuses on cognitive ergonomics and cognitive engineering to design and validate simulation-based training technologies across K–12, industry (K-Gray), and defense. She integrates joint cognitive systems, macrocognition, and human-autonomy teaming with methods such as eye tracking, motion capture, and digital twins to study expertise, decision-making, and human performance. Through ACES Lab, she leads interdisciplinary projects and mentors students, advancing research that shapes the next generation of human-centered, Industry 5.0 training systems.

John most recently served as the Training and Workforce Development Program Manager (Naval Shipyards) at Naval Sea Systems Command. Prior to NNSY, he served 26 years in the Navy, excelling in various leadership roles, including Command Master Chief onboard USS Nassau during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the Navy’s Command Master Chief of Naval Personnel Development Command, overseeing the training and education of over 320,000 Sailors.

Jessica Galassie, MBA, brings more than 25 years of experience across the maritime industry, spanning new construction shipyards, submarine repair, ship repair operations, maritime manufacturing, workforce development, and applied research. At VDMC, Jessica supports technology insertion, maritime innovation, and workforce initiatives that strengthen the regional and national maritime industrial base. Her recent work includes supporting Navy SBIR/STTR technology transition efforts, including evaluation frameworks, risk documentation, pilot planning, and practical pathways for moving emerging technologies toward operational use. Jessica combines hands-on maritime experience, engineering education, business training, and partnership development to help bridge the gap between industry needs, emerging technologies, and real-world implementation.

Dr. Rechowicz is a Research Associate Professor at Old Dominion University’s Virginia Digital Maritime Center. He holds a Ph.D. in Modeling and Simulation from ODU and an M.Eng. in Mechanics and Machine Construction from Warsaw University of Technology. His research focuses on leveraging technological advancements—such as modeling and simulation, artificial intelligence, data integration, and virtual/augmented reality—to enhance how we work and live while addressing their potential side effects. He has led multidisciplinary teams in advancing immersive technologies, accessible design, and human-machine interfaces. Dr. Rechowicz is recognized for his commitment to inclusive STEAM outreach, mentorship, and the development of technologies that support people with disabilities.

Jennifer Renne is a Curriculum Coordinator for the Virginia Digital Maritime Center at Old Dominion University's Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology Education from SUNY Oswego and a Master of Arts in Education degree in Integrative STEM Education from Virginia Tech. She was previously a high school Technology Education teacher with Virginia Beach City Public Schools. She has served on state curriculum committees and is a member of several state and national engineering educator associations. She has developed maritime curriculum for grades K-12 as well as modeling and simulation curriculum for grades 9-12.

Jason is an enthusiastic educator that has successfully developed and delivered honors level math courses at the middle school level, taught Hampton’s S.T.R.E.A.M. Summer Program for three years, and has mentored several new teachers. Jason holds a Collegiate Professional License with 6-8 Mathematics, Algebra 1, and Visual Arts (PreK-12) endorsements. He also possesses a Master’s in Education with Mathematics Specialist Endorsement from Old Dominion University, and a B.S. in Christian Ministry from Lee University.

Danielle Joyner is a Learning Engineer for the Virginia Digital Maritime Center (VDMC) at Old Dominion University’s Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation (OERI) working on K12- industry workforce innovation projects. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on STEM Education from Virginia Tech. Her background as an elementary science/STEM teacher and Middle School CTE teacher developed her expertise in workforce-aligned curriculum development, instructional design, and the integration of emerging technologies into hands-on learning experiences.

Brandon is a Senior Project Scientist at the Virginia Digital Maritime Center (VDMC) at Old Dominion University's Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation (OERI). He has earned a B.S and M.S in Computer Science, with expertise in software engineering and systems design.

Devon is a Multimedia Artist and Animator. An ODU graduate with a passion for 3D art, Devon crafts immersive 360 environments and characters for maritime projects at VDMC.