New Leadership Announced For U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced January 8 that Rear Adm. (select) Tony Ceraolo has been appointed to serve as superintendent and Dr. Johnathan Gajdos as provost at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, located at King’s Point in Nassau County, N.Y. Both men bring decades of experience in public administration, military leadership and education.

Before joining the academy as chief of staff in 2023, Ceraolo spent 34 years in the U.S. Coast Guard. Prior to his retirement, he served as the executive assistant to the Coast Guard deputy commandant for operations. Earlier in his career, he served as a senior counselor to the secretary of Homeland Security, where he spearheaded and coauthored DHS’s first-ever Strategic Approach for Arctic Homeland Security. He previously served as director for maritime security and director for arctic region policy on the National Security Council staff at the White House.

Ceraolo graduated with honors from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and a Master of Arts with distinction in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I. He is also a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College, a designated permanent cutterman and an Eagle Scout.

Prior to joining the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Gajdos spent more than 15 years in administrative and teaching roles at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), the primary language education and training institution for the U.S. military. Most recently, he served as associate provost for undergraduate education, where he oversaw six schools providing full-time, intensive foreign language training in nine languages.

His prior assignments at DLIFLC include serving as dean of the Persian Farsi School, academic adviser at the institute’s Washington, D.C., office and teaching team leader and instructor in the German program. Gajdos has also taught at Monterey Peninsula College, the University of Iowa and Technische Universität Dortmund, Germany.

Gajdos earned a Ph.D. and M.A. in Germanic linguistics from the University of Iowa; a bachelor’s degree in German from Georgetown University; and a graduate certificate in public administration from the University of North Dakota. A graduate of the Army Training and Doctrine Command Intermediate Leader Development Program, he has completed Army Management Staff College courses as well as Wharton Online’s leadership and management certificate program. He is a two-time recipient of the Army Civilian Service Commendation Medal and in 2025 was awarded the Army Meritorious Civilian Service Medal.

Early last year, President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance that, among other things, directed a revitalization of the academy, whose buildings and infrastructure had suffered from years of neglect and under-funding. Under Duffy, the Department of Transportation signed a partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to modernize campus facilities, upgrade simulators and navigation labs and completely overhaul the information technology system.

“Rear Admiral Tony Ceraolo and Dr. Johnathan Gajdos are precisely the leaders the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy needs at this critical moment—especially after the last administration neglected the academy and its midshipmen,” Duffy said. “These men bring the experience, discipline and vision required to reverse years of decline at the academy, restore America’s maritime power and prepare the next generation of American patriots for service to our country.”

“I am honored and excited to serve as the 15th superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at a pivotal moment for both the academy and our nation,” Ceraolo said. “With unprecedented focus, support and momentum behind the maritime sector, this is an exciting time to lead. I look forward to working alongside our exceptional faculty and staff to educate, mentor and graduate leaders of exemplary character—men and women fully prepared to advance our nation’s national security, economic success and marine transportation needs.”

“When I had the opportunity for a campus visit during the selection process for this position, I was immediately impressed by the dedicated faculty, the motivated midshipmen and the skilled staff, fully embracing the academy’s critical mission,” Gajdos said. “As I assume the role of USMMA’s provost, I am excited to support the work of our faculty as they educate America’s future merchant mariners and maritime leaders.”