Hal Hockema, P.E. - President and Managing Principal / Owner
- 1997-Present: Hockema Whalen Myers Associates, Inc.
- 1986-1997: Jensen Maritime Consultants – Vice President of Engineering
- 1984-1986: Marine Power & Equipment – Project Engineer, EIT
- 1980-1984: Campbell Industries – Assistant Project Manager
- 1979-1980: MARCO Seattle – Shipyard Trainee
- 1975-1979: Oregon State University, College of Engineering
In addition to engineering management, Hal’s main professional interests are collaboration with clients and the HWMA team during preliminary design and detail design, as those phases are where the best performance and aesthetic features can be applied. Hal’s personal interests include mountain biking, skiing, hiking and other outdoor activities.
Julie Hockema - Business Manager / Owner
- 1997-Present: Hockema Whalen Myers Associates, Inc.
- 1979: BS Early Childhood Education, Oregon State University
As co-owner of the company, Julie has worked as the business manager since its founding in 1997. She is responsible for overseeing business operations and managing the firm’s financials.
Julie’s personal interests include road and mountain biking, swimming, hiking, skiing, and triathlon (Aqua Bike) competition.
John Myers, P.E. - Vice President and Senior Principal / Owner
- 2005-Present: Hockema Whalen Myers Associates, Inc.
- 1999-2005: Jack Sarin Naval Architects – Naval Architect
- 1993-1999: Rodney E. Lay & Associates – Naval Architect
- 1988-1992: U.S. Naval Research Laboratory – Science Aid
- 1993: BS Ocean Engineering, Florida Institute of Technology
John’s professional interests include the development of new workboat designs and the application of modern design and technological tools for improving vessel efficiency and safety. John also teaches fishing vessel stability courses through the North Pacific Fishing Vessel Owners Association. His personal interests include mountain rescue, hiking, kayaking and travelling with family.
Michael Whalen, P.E. - Senior Principal
- 2004-Present: Hockema Whalen Myers Associates, Inc.
- 1992-2004: Fisker-Andersen & Whalen, Inc. – Principal Naval Architect / President
- 1983-1992: Marine I/O – Owner / Naval Architect
- 1979-1983: Nickum & Spaulding Associates, Inc. – Naval Architect
- 1979: BS Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Webb Institute of Naval Architecture
Mike enjoys collaborating with clients to produce a well-thought-out design. He likes the challenge of hull form design to improve fuel efficiency and sea kindliness, particularly utilizing CFD analysis. He also enjoys working on vessel arrangements and structural design. Mike’s personal interests include skiing, swimming, trail running, biking and playing music with friends.
Paul Monical, P.E. - Associate Naval Architect
- 2010-Present: Hockema Whalen Myers Associates, Inc.
- 2001-2010: Fred Wahl Marine Construction – Marine Designer
- 2000-2001: Yacht Design Program, The Landing School
- 1996-1999: Crest Audio – Design Engineer
- 1994-1996: Platinum Island Studios – Chief Technical Engineer
- 1991-1993: Calliope Productions – Technical Engineer
- 1991: BS Electrical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo
Paul’s professional interests include as he put it “most of what Naval Architecture has to offer” but is particularly interested in hull form and structural design and it’s detailing for production. His personal interests include hiking, woodworking and trying to play the banjo.
Craig Pomeroy, P.E. - Principal Naval Architect
- 2011-Present: Hockema Whalen Myers Associates, Inc.
- 2008-2011: Palmer Johnson Yachts – Senior Naval Architect
- 2006-2008: Seacraft Design – Naval Architect
- 2003/2006: Sole-proprietor – Naval Architectural/ Marine Engineering Services
- 2003-2006: Burger Boat Company – Naval Architect
- 2003: B. Bentgen & Associates – Vice President
- 2001-2003: Palmer Johnson Yachts – Chief Naval Architect
- 1989-2001: Jensen Maritime Consultants – Senior Naval Architect
- 1987-1989: BMT International – Naval Architect
- 1983-1986: Marinette Marine Corporation – Naval Architect
- 1983: BS Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Webb Institute of Naval Architecture
Craig’s main professional interests are ship resistance and propulsion with a particular emphasis on efficiency and economics, stability, and regulatory issues. Craig’s personal interests include sailing, biking, hiking and other outdoor activities along with history and genealogy research.
Stephen Gatz, P.E. - Associate Naval Architect
- 2014-Present: Hockema Whalen Myers Associates, Inc.
- 2013-2014: Art Anderson Associates – Senior Naval Architect
- 2008-2013: Jensen Maritime Consultants – Naval Architect
- 2006-2008: Elliott Bay Design Group – Naval Architect
- 2007:BS Mechanical Engineering with Naval Architecture option, University of British Columbia
- 2000: Associates of Engineering with Honors, Pima County Community College
- 1996: BA Geology & Geography, State University of New York at Buffalo
Steve’s true interest lies in increasing the efficiency of any system, including mechanical operations such as the typical pump and exhaust systems, as well as analysis of hull, power, and equipment interactions to achieve the most efficient transit possible.
Craig Mork - Principal Marine Designer & CAD Manager
- 2017-Present: Hockema Whalen Myers Associates, Inc.
- 1989-2017: Jensen Maritime Consultants – Marine Design Manager, Senior Designer, Marine Designer
- 1986-1989: Pacific Fishermen – Marine Design Draftsman
- 1981-1986: Marine Power and Equipment Company – Marine Draftsman
- 1980-1981: Propulsion Systems – Mechanical Draftsman
- 1980: Operating Marine Engineering, Seattle Central Community College, Seattle, WA
- 1979: AA Mechanical Engineering Technology, Shoreline Community College, Seattle, WA
Craig’s professional interests are in developing practical and efficient vessel arrangements and hull forms. Craig’s personal interests are wood boat building & repair, rowing & sailing.
Eric Blumhagen, P.E. - Associate Naval Architect
- 2017-Present: Hockema Whalen Myers Associates, Inc.
- 1997-2017: Jensen Maritime Consultants – Chief Naval Architect / Director of Vessel Engineering
- 1997: BS Civil Engineering University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Eric’s main professional interests are in efficient structural design and stability calculations. His personal interests include hiking and hobby rocketry.
Leland Boltz, P.E. - Naval Architect
- 2018-Present: Hockema Whalen Myers Associates, Inc.
- 2017-2018: Foss Maritime – Naval Architect
- 2012-2017: Jensen Maritime Consultants – Naval Architect
- 2012: BS Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Webb Institute of Naval Architecture
Lee finds great satisfaction in bridging the understanding gap between owners, operators, regulators, and engineers; and in expanding the public knowledge of engineering through his client interactions. In his spare time Lee is interested in programing and electronics, as well as gaming and exploring the great outdoors.
Michael Minnig, P.E. - Principal
- 2018-Present: Hockema Whalen Myers Associates, Inc.
- 2012-2018: Foss Maritime Company – Director of Engineering
- 2010-2012: WSDOT Washington State Ferries – Senior Naval Architect
- 2008-2010: Guido Perla and Associates – Project Manager
- 2007-2008: WSDOT Washington State Ferries – Senior Naval Architect
- 2001-2007: Elliott Bay Design Group – Technical Manager
- 1998-2001: Northrup Grumman Ship Systems – Advanced Technologies Analyst
- 2001: MS Ocean Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
- 1998: BS Maritime Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University
In addition to vessel design work, Mike enjoys helping customers with their maintenance, repair, and fleet replacement programs. He appreciates the challenge of combining engineering methods with fleet operational data to project long term cost savings. Mike’s personal interests include running, soccer, skiing, and home landscaping projects.
Shannon Potter - Administrative Manager
- 2020-Present: Hockema Whalen Myers Associates, Inc.
- 2000-2020: CenturyLink – Regional Contract Administration Manager
- 1994-2000: Cherry City Electric – Estimator, Contract Manager, Office Administration
Shannon is responsible for managing and carrying out administrative tasks for the office. She is also HWMA’s Human Resources manager.
Shannon’s personal interests include scuba diving, snowmobiling, fishing, camping, and gardening.