Eureka Naval Craft Team

Leadership

Bo 600

Bo Jardine
Chief Executive Officer

  • CEO and Co-founder of Eureka Naval Craft
  • Founder of 1852 Solutions Ltd, a U.S.-based energy and maritime advisory solutions provider focused on providing bespoke subject matter expert support within the international offshore energy, maritime, and naval defense sectors
  • Over 20 years of leadership and advisory experience in offshore energy and maritime industries, including leading global maritime strategy and technology initiatives at Shell and BG Group.
  • Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute (AFNI), Lifetime Member of the Maritime Technical Society (MTS), and a Fellow of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME)
  • Graduate of Massachusetts Maritime Academy, B.S. International Maritime Business
Mike 600

Mike Jankowski
Chief Defense Officer

  • CDO and Co-founder of Eureka Naval Craft
  • Founder of Trident Offshore Projects (Veteran-owned & operated entity), providing maritime project support, defense advisory, security & paramilitary operations in volatile environments. 
  • Senior Shipbroker and Head of Subsea for Braemar Shipbroking, a market-leading UK publicly traded company and the UK MOD’s appointed shipbroker.
  • 18 years track record of commercial success in Specialist & Offshore Project Shipbroking;Chartering, Sale and Purchase, and Finance-based activities.
  • Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers
  • Former British Armed Forces(versed in Defense Maritime Operations and Risk Management) with continued access to UK/US Special Forces and Naval procurement.
  • BSC(Hons) Degree in Maritime Business and Shipping Law
Jeromep 600

Jerome Arnold
Chief Operating Officer

  • COO and Co-founder of Eureka Naval Craft
  • Managing Director and Co-founder of AIRCAT Vessels, innovating in vessel design for the offshore energy industry.
  • Over 20 years of experience in the Oil & Gas industry, with a strong background in marine logistics and multiple Managing Director roles.
  • Extended tenure in Angola, Africa as Marine Operations Manager, demonstrating a committed presence in critical operational roles overseas.
  • Diploma in Naval Architecture
Tavis 600

Trygve H. Espeland
Chief Naval Architect

  • CNA and Co-founder of Eureka Naval Craft
  • Chairman and Co-Founder of ESNA, the world-leading design house for Surface Effect Ship (SES). ESNA and its employees have been involved in the most successful SES projects worldwide since the late 80s.
  • 17 years of experience with all aspects of SES, ranging from feasibility studies to design, construction, operation, support, and crew training.
  • Worked with SES for fast ferries, offshore wind, oil & gas, and navies with yards and owners worldwide.
  • Master’s degree in Naval Architecture from NTNU, Norway. Wrote his master’s thesis on SES.

TEAM

RByno 600 b

Richard Byno
EVP of Defense

  • 20+ years of leadership in U.S. Special Operations, intelligence, and maritime defense, with operational roles spanning Marine Force Recon, MARSOC, JSOC Task Force.
  • Former Director of Marine Operations at TDI-Brooks International, managed 200+ staff and global fleet for major IOC and DoD projects.
  • Co-founder of Maritime Support Concepts (MSC), delivering mission-tailored maritime platforms to U.S. Special Operations Command, the Marine Corps, and allied special operations forces
  • MBA from The Wharton School, B.S., Nova Southeastern University, and Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)
  • B.S. Professional Development from Nova Southeastern University
Edwardo 600

Capt. Eduard Ercegovic
EVP of Technical Operations

  • Technical Director and Co-founder of AIRCAT Vessels
  • Former fleet & support base coordinator, master of mega-container carriers and offshore support vessels, trainer of other masters for dynamic positioning vessels.
  • Holder of Master Unlimited Certificate of Competency and Senior DPO
  • M.Sc. In Nautical Studies and Diploma in Naval Architecture
Arthur 600
Arthur Fraccaro
Business Development Manager Asia & Pacific
  • Business Development Manager for AIRCAT Vessels
  • Former Managing Director of a logistics company in Africa
  • Specialized in marine logistics, holding a Master‘s degree in Supply Chain Transport Logistics and a Diploma in Naval Architecture
CHardy 600

Caitlin Hardy
Senior Technology Advisor

  • Founder and Managing Director at Ness Sea Consulting, advising maritime and defense companies at the intersection of new innovation.
  • Former President of Kongsberg Discovery US, where she established a U.S.-based autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) team
  • Technical background from new vessel construction to leading continuous improvement and project management across four cruise lines (41 ships).
  • B.S. Naval Architecture from the U.S. Naval Academy
  • MBA from the University of Washington
  • Board Member – Washington Maritime BLUE, Lloyd’s List Editorial Board
VHartman 600

Valentin Hartmann
Senior Investment Advisor

  • Former Managing Partner of Waterworks Offshore Concepts, leading capital raise, M&A, and ship finance transactions in the European and U.S. offshore energy markets with a focus on shipowners.
  • 10+ years as a shipbroker in the offshore energy and tanker markets
  • B. Sc. In Shipping, Trade and Transport with a finance focus from London Met.
JScott 600

Joseph Scott
VP of Finance

  • Certified Public Accountant with extensive experience in energy and marine accounting and finance
  • Management Consultant at Alvarez & Marsal
  • Investment Banking at Evercore
  • Master’s degree in Finance and BBA in Accounting from Texas A&M