Based in the Bronx, Francis Stash Pelkowski has served as a professor at the State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College since 2009. Leveraging his 38 years of experience in the Coast Guard & Coast Guard Reserve, Francis Stash Pelkowski provides undergraduate and graduate students with insight into a broad range of maritime subjects, including regulatory compliance required to meet environmental, safety, and security standards. He also leverages his 27 years of commercial maritime industry experience to educate students on marine chartering, marine insurance (underwriting & claims), vessel crewing, and the purchase and sale of commercial vessels, amongst many other disciplines.

The former interim chair of the college’s new Business, Science, & Humanities School, Professor Pelkowski is well-versed in areas such as organized labor, sales, finance, and contract law. He initially joined the college as an adjunct professor while working full-time in the maritime industry simultaneous with his service as a member of the Coast Guard Reserve. He has since chaired and served on numerous working groups and committees focused on strategic planning, academic assessment, and student-life. Professor Pelkowski spends a significant amount of his personal time mentoring high school students, particularly those who have an interest in entering the maritime industry and/or the U.S. military. Youth development, especially for the minority and underprivileged community, is his biggest passion.

Mr. Pelkowski holds a Juris Doctor Degree from New York Law School and a Master of Business Administration Degree from the New York Institute of Technology. He studied Marine Engineering as an undergraduate at SUNY Maritime College. He has also completed courses at the Naval War College, Army War College, Joint Forces Staff College, and National Defense University, plus completed DOD’s overseas Capstone course designed for all newly selected U.S. Admirals and Generals.

Francis Stash Pelkowski