THOMAS J. McKENNA
Metuchen,NJ
Summary
Enterprise-focused maritime claims and risk professional with deep experience in high-severity personal injury, occupational disease, and complex litigated matters. Brings insurer-side discipline, legal judgment, and hands-on operational maritime experience to owner-side risk decision-making. Proven advisor to senior stakeholders on financial exposure, settlement strategy, and litigation posture.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Claims Executive – Personal Injury & Occupational Disease
Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc. (SCB), Managers of The American Steamship Owners Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association
04.2025 - Current
- Handle marine personal injury and occupational disease claims, including legacy exposure matters. Responsibilities include evaluating liability, setting reserves, coordinating defense strategy, and overseeing resolution of marine claims.
Senior Associate – Swaps and Derivatives Compliance
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
05.2023 - 04.2025
- Supported multi-asset class compliance oversight for regulated trading activity under Dodd-Frank, working closely with legal, risk, and front-office stakeholders.
- Provided risk-based advisory guidance on complex regulatory requirements impacting business operations.
- Conducted monitoring, testing, and issue escalation within a large, highly regulated financial institution.
Law Clerk
Betancourt, Greco & Evans LLC (formerly Betancourt, Van Hemmen, Greco & Kenyon)
05.2021 - 05.2023
- Conducted legal research and analysis on maritime personal injury litigation, including Jones Act and Longshore claims.
- Assisted with depositions, investigations, and vessel boardings related to injury incidents and liability assessment.
- Gained hands-on exposure to litigation strategy and case development in high-risk maritime matters.
Account Manager
RR&F Logistics, an agent of SunteckTTS
03.2018 - 08.2020
- Managed and grew a personal book of business generating $500k+ in annual revenue within a national logistics operation.
- Served as primary client advisor, balancing operational execution, commercial risk, and customer relationships.
- Developed a strong understanding of logistics operations, commercial exposure, and customer-driven risk decisions.
- Supervised and mentored 3–4 junior sales associates, providing guidance on account strategy, customer management, and operational execution through use of Salesforce software.
Professional Mariner (Unlimited Tonnage)
NYC Department of Transportation – Staten Island Ferry & Deep-Sea Operations
06.2018 - 03.2018
- - Served as a professional mariner (deck department) aboard Staten Island Ferry and U.S.-flag deep-sea vessels, including containership and government support vessels, operating in international and domestic service.
- - Acted as on-scene leader during emergency response and safety incidents, supervising crew and managing operational risk.
- - Responsible for safe navigation, vessel operations, and passenger safety for 2,000+ passengers per voyage.
- - Developed deep, hands-on understanding of maritime operations, safety culture, and real-world operational risk exposure.
Education
Juris Doctor -
ELISABETH HAUB SCHOOL OF LAW at PACE UNIVERSITY
White Plains, New York05.2023
Bachelor of Science - Logistics and Intermodal Transportation
UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY
Kings Point, New York06.2012
Skills
- Enterprise Claims Leadership
- Maritime Risk & P&I Liability
- High-Severity & Complex Litigation Management
- Financial Exposure, Reserving & Settlement Strategy
- Cross-Functional Collaboration (Legal, Finance, Operations)
- Counsel, TPA & Vendor Oversight
Military Service
Lieutenant, US Naval Reserve, 2012-01-01, 2023-01-01, Honorably Discharged
Timeline
Claims Executive – Personal Injury & Occupational Disease
Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc. (SCB), Managers of The American Steamship Owners Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association
04.2025 - Current
Senior Associate – Swaps and Derivatives Compliance
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
05.2023 - 04.2025
Law Clerk
Betancourt, Greco & Evans LLC (formerly Betancourt, Van Hemmen, Greco & Kenyon)
05.2021 - 05.2023
Professional Mariner (Unlimited Tonnage)
NYC Department of Transportation – Staten Island Ferry & Deep-Sea Operations
06.2018 - 03.2018
Account Manager
RR&F Logistics, an agent of SunteckTTS
03.2018 - 08.2020
Bachelor of Science - Logistics and Intermodal Transportation
UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY
Juris Doctor -
ELISABETH HAUB SCHOOL OF LAW at PACE UNIVERSITY