Who we are
Founded in 2007, TMA BlueTech is the first and largest ocean and water technologies cluster organization in the United States, and one of the most prominent BlueTech clusters globally. From its base in San Diego, TMA brings together industry, government, academia, and international partners to advance maritime defense innovation and ocean intelligence. These two pillars define how new technologies, data systems, and operational concepts move from idea to deployment. Through dual use and multi use pathways, this work serves national security, commercial markets, scientific advancement, ocean health, and workforce opportunity.
TMA’s role is to move maritime innovation into real world capability. We focus on converting operational demand, emerging technology, and applied research into measurable outcomes by accelerating deployment and commercialization pathways, expanding market access for member companies, and strengthening the maritime industrial base through a visible, employer aligned workforce pipeline.
Through focused convenings, capability forums, international gateways, and intelligence driven programs, TMA operates as an organizing and execution focused hub. Our measure of success is not organizational scale, but speed, relevance, and reliability in turning opportunity into deployed capability across the maritime domain.
Meet the Team
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LinkedIn
mclassen@tmabluetech.orgMatt Classen serves as the Executive Director of TMA BlueTech, where he has strengthened TMA's position as a leading blue economy cluster in Southern California. Under his leadership, TMA has expanded its influence through international trade missions and global dialogues, promoting both economic growth and positive environmental impact. A sought-after speaker at global forums, Matt has cultivated strong relationships with policymakers and academic institutions, driving efforts to forge strategic partnerships across the Pacific Rim and North Atlantic. His work advances key initiatives in defense readiness, decarbonization technologies, and ocean science. Through collaboration with regional partners and flagship events like BlueTech Week, Matt is helping transform Southern California into a global hub for maritime defense, ocean resilience, and climate innovation.
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Dudek
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Brendan Gray is the Chairman of the Board of The Maritime Alliance BlueTech (TMA), a nonprofit based in San Diego that promotes sustainable ocean and water industries. He works as an independent board member, helping the Executive Director with strategy and collaboration with other Blue Tech groups in the U.S. and beyond. Brendan also advises Atargis Energy Corporation, which provides renewable energy from ocean waves. Previously, as Vice President of Operations at Interactive Data Corporation, he managed global operations, strategy, and communications. A US Naval Academy graduate, Brendan served 30 years as a Naval Aviator, including five years as Deputy Commander for Navy Region Europe, overseeing the security and operations of U.S. Navy bases in Europe. He has significant experience in building international partnerships, leading a team from five countries to establish requirements for the P-8A aircraft.
Board of Directors
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Director, Strategy & Marketing
ThayerMahan
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Assoc. Prof., Environmental and Ocean Sciences
University of San Diego
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Chief BlueTech Strategist
MITRE
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Director of Industry Relations, Innovation & StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
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VP Solutions
NORBIT
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CEO, Six Maritime
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Board Chair Emeritus and CEO of SubSeaSail
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CEO
Maritime Museum of San Diego
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Tech Development Director
Quartus Engineering
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CEO
Ocean Motion Technologies
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COO
Strategic Robotics Systems
Board of Advisors
Discover how TMA BlueTech translates strategy into action through a focused set of impact initiatives designed to accelerate maritime defense innovation and ocean intelligence. These initiatives create clear pathways from technology and data to real world capability, commercial opportunity, and workforce outcomes.
Explore how our programs connect industry, government, academia, and partners around deployment, adoption, and measurable impact across the maritime domain.