Suny Maritime Foundation

Alexandra Anagnostis-Irons, president of Total Marine Solutions, is no stranger to jumping straight into new and challenging endeavors. “It makes me crazy when things are stagnant, I like momentum!”

An active leader in the maritime industry, we sat down with Alex, the newest SUNY Maritime Foundation board member, who also happens to be the first woman and first non-Maritime College graduate on the Board, to discuss the future of the College and industry, the importance of giving back, and the hobbies that keep her going despite her busy schedule.

A lack of experience on and around vessels did not stop Alex from leaping into her first job with Bahama Cruise Line. While pursuing her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Accounting, Business Management, and International Sales at Barry University in Miami Shores, FL, Alex learned about the cruise industry and was hooked. After graduation, Alex transitioned to the Director of Technical Purchasing with what was then known as Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and built a strong connection with her vendors and technical support teams. Ten years later, Alex took a leap of faith and started her own company, Total Marine Solutions. “It really felt like jumping off a cliff,” Alex recalled.  “Thankfully I had built the skills and confidence needed to take the leap.” Today, Total Marine Solutions provides MARPOL compliant solutions and support to the commercial, cruise, offshore, and yacht industries from its headquarters in Fort Lauderdale.

On the cusp of the 150th anniversary of the College, the arrival of a brand-new Empire State VII training ship, and the prioritized focus on clean initiatives within the maritime industry, Alex made the next leap to board member. “The Foundation cast a wide net, looking to bring someone in with a different view and background. Someone who wanted to get into the trenches and make a difference,” Alex mentioned. “I’ve known and worked with many Fort Schuyler staff, students, and alumni over the years, so it was easy decision to say yes. It feels like a whole new chapter for Maritime College and for me!”

Alex supports the maritime industry in a variety of roles, each of which she believes has made her a better professional and a change maker. From serving as Chair of Broward Navy Days which organizes Fleet Week Port Everglades, as a Director for the Coast Guard Foundation, and Executive Committee Member of Seafarers’ House at Port Everglades, to her previous roles as WISTA (Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association) USA President and WISTA International Secretary, Alex believes each of these roles has taught her how to succeed by taking both a humanist and business approach to growth. She believes great change might happen in a board room, but it’s up to the members to “dive in; be micro; get our hands into the work.” Alex notes that this is how significant change is made – and it’s happening right here with our current SUNY Maritime students.

“First and foremost, companies are looking to hire SUNY Maritime graduates because they have a thirst for continued learning, extensive frontline experience, are driven, and want to be part of a collaborative team,” Alex said. “I want to leave a legacy in the industry I love and be a part of positive movement forward. If your team or institution has helped you succeed, you have a responsibility to use your success and help the next generation succeed!”

That drive to help others succeed is something that Alex brings to her position on the board. “There’s a rich history at SUNY Maritime and we need to continually invest in the future of the College and students if we’re going to continue to make a difference,” Alex noted.

Between running a successful global business, her community involvement, and fulfilling her board duties, Alex still finds time for her passions: family and travelling. “I have nine nieces and nephews and love to have them stay over whenever possible. I learn so much from them!” she said. And in a global industry with no shortage of travel opportunities, what locations stand out most for Alex? “My husband, Patrick, was born and raised in Scotland. It is an incredibly beautiful country and we enjoy visiting as much as we can. A few years ago, we were fortunate to celebrate Easter in New Zealand and the masses and churches were really breathtaking.”

Alex took her seat on the board in January 2023, and will serve a three-year term.

MC: Describe why you decided to join the Foundation and become more involved with SUNY Maritime College.
Chalos: I always felt that SUNY Maritime College was very good to me and served me very well – both in my personal life and my professional life. When Bob Johnston called me to say he was starting the Foundation, I was very happy he called and I decided it was the right time for me to give back. I have great admiration for Bob and I decided right away to say yes and join.

MC: Did you know Admiral Alfultis before you joined the Foundation Board?
Chalos: I had met Admiral Alfultis before and knew him only a little. There’s been a tremendous change at Maritime since he arrived and the firm I previously worked with, K&L Gates, has supported Maritime under his leadership. Admiral Mike has been a great catalyst for renewal at the College – from his plans for the training ship to program development.

MC: Your dedication to the College’s success is very strong.
Chalos: Being a cadet was a big part of my life. It’s a school I believe in strongly. I’ve recommended a number of applicants who’ve been accepted and done well after graduation. I’m proud of other grads’ successes. We have some really strong and successful alumni. Once a student enrolls and Maritime College gives them a chance, the student flourishes – and is grateful forever for the opportunity.

MC: How did your career take off after you graduated from Maritime?
Chalos: I graduated from the College in 1970 and immediately went to work with McAllister, the tugboat company in New York harbor. My goal was to become an apprentice docking pilot. After one year I decided to attend Fordham Law School at night and that decision changed everything. McAllister has always been very connected to Maritime and it was a fantastic work experience. I spent three years there before moving to International Paper Co’s shipping division, which was quite big at the time. I stayed there three years and wanted to move into the legal department, but instead I was recruited to a small legal firm specializing in maritime law.

MC: You’ve had a sensational career in the field of maritime law. How did that evolve?
Chalos: At first, I represented cargo owners’ claims, but then in 1989 came the famous Exxon Valdez oil spill. Until then, there were no criminal prosecutions of ship captains. The Exxon Valdez captain was a Maritime grad and a school mate of mine who I played lacrosse with. He was charged criminally by the State of Alaska and was fired by Exxon. He reached out to me for help and of course I took the case. It was the first prosecution of a seafarer. He was acquitted of all charges except for a misdemeanor charge of negligent discharge of oil. And after that, I had my career direction. Prosecution of seafarers became more common and my firm and I became recognized for our successful defense outcomes.

MC: And so you stayed in the area of defending seafarers?
Chalos: Actually, I moved into the area of maritime contractual disputes, collisions and defending ship owners and operators against, among other things, alleged violations of environmental regulations. I was fortunate enough to be involved on the ground floor of environmental regulations and their enforcement. I was the senior partner of my own firm for over 35 years. I recently worked for about 5 years with a firm called K&L Gates as a partner.  It’s a huge firm with nearly 2000 lawyers worldwide.

MC: It sounds like the call from your former schoolmate affected your life in many ways.
Chalos: There was, and still is, great camaraderie among Maritime graduates, especially, class and school mates of the same era. I’m still in contact with many of my classmates, and I expect that to continue to do so for the rest of my life.

MC: What’s the biggest reason you want to stay involved with Maritime?
Chalos: I believe in the power of education. And I’m a big believer that a parent’s obligation is to give their children the best education possible. Those two factors combine to make my devotion to SUNY Maritime College a priority for me.

MC: Is that why you’re promoting the College’s Sailboat Donation Program?
Chalos: I’ll do anything to assist the Foundation in helping the College. The boat program doesn’t just take any boat, but we take classic boats and any type of vessel that fills cadet training needs. Bob Crafa is well known beyond the College and his influence and reach are wide-ranging. I try to help out with anything that emerges from a maritime law perspective. I love talking with students. Occasionally I lecture about the seaman’s experience or about environmental issues, pollution, infrastructure on ships, cybersecurity or proper comportment.