Rear Admiral John A. Okon, USN (ret), is President of Maritime College. He was appointed by the SUNY Board of Trustees in June 2024 and assumed the leadership post in July 2024, becoming the 12th President of the College.
A native of Syracuse, NY, he is a retired Naval Officer with over 33 years of service. In the Navy, Rear Admiral Okon served as a Surface Warfare Officer, Meteorology and Oceanography Officer, and Information Warfare Officer. He commanded Naval Antisubmarine Warfare Center, Yokosuka, Japan; Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center, Monterey, CA; and Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, Bay St. Louis, MS. He was also the Navigator of the Navy, Hydrographer of the Navy, and Oceanographer of the Navy.
Rear Admiral Okon graduated from Maritime College in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology and Oceanography, Naval Postgraduate School in 2003 with a Master of Science in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography, and Naval War College in 2007 with a Master of Arts in National Security Studies.
He is married to the former Valerie Gessner of Catskill, NY, Maritime College class of 1992.
A Message from the President
January 27, 2025
Maritime College Family,
Happy New Year Maritime Nation, and welcome back!
I’m excited to welcome everyone back to the peninsula of opportunity for what promises to be an incredible spring semester at Maritime College. A new semester brings new students, faculty, and staff to our family — Welcome Aboard! It is especially wonderful to have students from Turkey and Taiwan join us.
What a year it’s been so far. As a Maritime College Community, we’ve celebrated so many milestones in our history, fundraising, enrollment, the classroom, athletics, and the communities we serve. So, what will 2025 bring us? More excitement and more growth, all powered by optimism. This year, we will put forward a new strategic plan that will be the initial voyage plan to the next 150 years of success and growth.
As I’ve shared before, I believe the future at Maritime College is very bright. I am incredibly proud of the early work we’ve done to build a plan for our next decade, and I’m energized about the work ahead to put your ideas into actionable strategies that will guide us forward. There is no doubt, this work will require us to think more boldly and creatively than ever before. We will need to carefully consider all aspects of our college and determine the best course to become the world’s foremost maritime educational institution, setting the standard in training, innovation, and leadership development for the maritime industry workforce of the future. I know we are up to the task. With the talent and commitment, we have in place, I believe the plan we develop together will put us First and Foremost in every field of the Maritime Education and Maritime Global Industry.
Thank you for all you do for Maritime College. My best wishes for a successful start to the semester, and I look forward to connecting with you again soon.
With utmost respect and admiration,
Rear Admiral John A. Okon '91, USN (ret)
President
“Students first, Maritime always”