2026 HONOREE BIOS
Distinguished
Alumnus of the Year
John Valvo ’83
Vice President, Fresh Meadow Power NE
John Valvo ’83 has built a distinguished career in the power and energy sector while maintaining a deep and sustained commitment to SUNY Maritime College and its alumni community. An engaged alumnus whose professional success has been matched by consistent service, John exemplifies the role alumni leadership plays in strengthening the College and supporting the next generation of cadets.
John earned his Bachelor of Engineering degree from SUNY Maritime College in 1983 and went on to establish a successful career in power generation, boiler services, and mechanical contracting. He currently serves as Vice President of Fresh Meadow Power NE, following prior leadership roles with firms including ABB-Alstom and Alstom Power. His professional experience spans complex energy projects, outage services, and large-scale industrial operations, positioning him as a respected leader within the industry.
In parallel with his professional career, John has devoted significant time and leadership to the Maritime College Alumni Association. He served as Treasurer before being elected President of the MCAA in 2020, guiding the organization during a period that demanded adaptability, transparency, and steady stewardship. During his tenure, the Association strengthened alumni communications, expanded mentorship initiatives, and advanced efforts focused on inclusion and engagement across the alumni community.
John’s most enduring impact may be felt through his work supporting scholarships and student success. As Scholarship Committee Chair, he helped facilitate substantial growth in scholarship funding, including a year in which 155 cadets received more than $578,000 in Summer Sea Term scholarships. Through both personal leadership and corporate sponsorships, he has been a consistent supporter of MCAA events and a visible advocate for investing in cadets.
Beyond boardrooms and balance sheets, John is also known for his passion for classic automobiles, particularly vintage Corvettes. His meticulously maintained 1963 split-window Corvette, finished in Silver Blue, is a rare automatic model and a standout example of American automotive history. The car gained national attention when it was selected for an episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, featuring Jerry Seinfeld and Barack Obama, chosen specifically for its authenticity and rarity. The Corvette was also featured in the 2025 New York Auto Show, reflecting John’s appreciation for craftsmanship, engineering, and preservation.
In the fall of 2025, John was honored by the Organization of Black Maritime Graduates for his remarkable generosity and commitment to serving those in need. The recognition reflected not only his philanthropic support, but the consistency with which he has leveraged his time, resources, and professional network to create opportunity for others.
Frequently representing the Alumni Association at College events and institutional milestones, John has served as a bridge between alumni, industry partners, and SUNY Maritime College. Through his industry accomplishments, alumni leadership, and sustained generosity, John Valvo has strengthened the connection between the College and its extended maritime community. His service reflects a belief that success carries responsibility, and that giving back is an essential part of moving the institution forward.
Lifetime Achievement
Charles J. Munsch ’73
Professor of Engineering, SUNY Maritime College
Charles J. Munsch ’73 exemplifies a lifetime of service to SUNY Maritime College, as an alumnus, professor, mentor, and coach whose influence spans classrooms, playing fields, and generations of graduates.
A member of the Class of 1973, Charlie earned his Bachelor of Engineering in Naval Architecture from SUNY Maritime College before completing a Master of Engineering in Ocean Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology. He also holds U.S. Coast Guard credentials as First Assistant Engineer (Steam) and Third Assistant Engineer (Motor), Unlimited Horsepower (inactive), grounding his academic career in professional maritime practice and reinforcing the applied rigor he brought to the classroom.
Shortly after graduation, Charlie returned to Maritime as a faculty member, beginning a teaching career that would extend over five decades. Serving as Professor of Engineering in the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, he has educated and mentored thousands of cadets from the mid-1970s through today. Known for his direct style, technical rigor, and high expectations, he believed deeply in accountability and competence as non-negotiable traits for maritime professionals. His courses were demanding, but his commitment to cadets who put in the effort was unwavering.
Charlie’s impact extended well beyond academics. A former Maritime football player, he served as head football coach from 1975 to 1986 and later played a key role in reviving the College’s football program in 2005 after more than a decade without a team. On the field, as in the classroom, he emphasized discipline, resilience, and teamwork. In recognition of his broad contributions, he was honored in 2002 for outstanding service to SUNY Maritime College students as a mentor, coach, and teacher, and was later inducted into the College’s Athletics Hall of Fame.
Remembered for his sharp wit, storytelling, and unmistakable presence on campus, Charlie Munsch shaped not only academic outcomes, but character. His influence extended far beyond formal titles, reaching into the daily life of the College and the lives of the cadets who passed through it.
Through the thousands of alumni who carry his lessons into leadership roles across the maritime industry and beyond, his legacy endures — a reflection of one alumnus who devoted his professional life to the institution that first set him on course.
Of note:
Engineering Department Chair: 1995-2001
FSMAA President: 2013-2014
