Our Team

Raymond A. Dackerman

Founder | Chief Executive Officer

Ray has 20 years' experience in the offshore wind industry. He led the team that introduced the first floating offshore wind project in the United States and obtained an unprecedented offshore wind energy project support letter from former U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry, the late U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy, U.S. Senator Ed Markey, and the entire Massachusetts Congressional Delegation. As the founder of Blue H Technologies' U.S. subsidiary, Ray's team procured the first permit in North America to deploy a full-scale floating offshore wind energy platform 23 miles off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. With over 40-years’ experience in marine industries, Ray founded and managed Blue H USA LLC, Condor Wind Energy LLC, Seawind Technology LLC, Mediterranean Tuna S.A. (Greece), Mediterranean Tuna Limited (Malta), and EuroPacific Tuna Ltd (Cayman Islands). Ray initiated and executed an agreement between Blue H USA and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works ("BIW" - Maine's second largest employer) to evaluate collaboration on one or more projects utilizing Blue H's wind platform and turbine with BIW the Prime Contractor for the platform construction, advance public policy regarding ocean-based wind energy within the State of Maine, and to explore potential third-party funding sources for an ocean-based wind energy demonstrator project. He has served on boards including the Maine Renewable Energy Association, Massachusetts Affordable Renewable Electricity Alliance, and was a U.S. Industry Advisor to ICCAT (a 52-country member organization for the conservation of tunas). Ray was designated by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to peer review its Puerto Rico Wind Cost Study, participated as a faculty member for Law Seminars International ‘Coastline Permitting & Development in Massachusetts’ conference, authored a Puerto Rico Floating Offshore Wind Energy business plan, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Ohio Wesleyan University and an MBA degree in International Management from Tulane University, A.B. Freeman School of Business .

Heinrich Duden

Chief Technology Officer

Heinrich has over 25 years’ experience at the forefront of both bottom-fixed and floating offshore wind projects in Germany, Denmark, France, Taiwan, UK, Japan, and Malta. As the Managing Partner of ep4 offshore GmbH, Heinrich’s client list includes but is not limited to Mingyang Europe, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ørsted, MPI Offshore Ltd, Blue H Technologies B.V., Nordsee One, Veja Mate Offshore Project, Baltic Eagle, Le Treport / Noir Moutier, Ghanghau Phase II, Formosa, Global Tech 1, MHI Vestas Offshore Wind AS, Taiwan Power Company, and Deutsche Bucht. He has led the negotiation and management of WTG service contracts, OPEX estimates and budgeting, O&M design and planning, HR planning, specification of Crew Transfer Vessels and Service Operations Vessels, business development support, support in vessel contract negotiations based on Baltic International Marine Council (“BIMCO”), analysis of risk and interface matrix, supply, and service contracts, analysis of site surveys, O&M, CAPEX, and OPEX documentation. Heinrich is active in offshore wind as an owner’s engineer and interim management, technical due diligence, HSE management, O&M, logistics, and permit management. Since 2022, Heinrich has been in an apprenticeship to become a state-appointed expert for facilities handling materials hazardous to water. After 6 years of studying physics, Heinrich earned his Dipl. Phys., from the University of Hamburg .

Hidetoshi Otsuka

Managing Director Japan

Hidetoshi worked for Mitsubishi Corporation’s Energy Division during a 40 year period managing various gas/LNG in countries including Turkmenistan, China, Brunei, Venezuela, and Taiwan. As the COO for Mitsubishi-operated Donggi Senro LNG in Indonesia from 2008-2010, Hidetoshi engaged in the negotiation of a JVA, Gas Supply Agreement, EPC contract, LNG SPA and Shipping Agreement. From 2012-2015, Hidetoshi was appointed President of Pan Pacific Energy Company – which was comprised of JERA, NYK, JBIC, JOGMEC, and MC as off-takers and fund provider for the Wheatstone LNG project in Australia (i.e., led by Chevron). From 2015-2019, Hidetoshi was the Marketing Advisor for Steelhead LNG , which is a Vancouver-based developer in the LNG industry. Hidetoshi was responsible for providing business information regarding the LNG market in Japan, fundraising (e.g., Azimuth a Canadian Private Fund), developing a marketing strategy, and execution plan. From 2020-2023, Hidetoshi was appointed as Managing Director of Seawind Ocean Technology ("Seawind") - a floating wind energy technology company - in Japan. While at Seawind, Hidetoshi secured a collaborative agreement with JGC Corporation ("JGC") and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines ("MOL"). Hidetoshi earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Japan's top university, Tokyo University.

James C. Kellogg

Co-Founder | Chief Financial Officer

Jimmy is a renewable energy, financing, investment banking, and project execution executive with a substantial financial network. He has extensive experience in pitching energy projects (e.g., hydro project in British Columbia and an ammonia project in Norway) to companies such as Blackstone, TPG, Berkshire Partners, and other private equity firms. Jimmy previously worked with wind energy pioneer Peter Mandelstam to develop medium and large onshore wind projects in Texas, Upstate NY, Atlantic City, and Ohio. The Bluewater Wind team secured the first offshore wind Power Purchase Agreement (“PPA”) in the United States. Jimmy’s energy network includes the New Jersey BPU, JCP&L, NYSERDA, New Jersey & New York State Senators, and he promoted the development of a hydro transmission station project in Upstate New York. Jimmy also collaborated with Seawind Ocean Technology, a Dutch based company that developed an innovative two-bladed offshore wind turbine technology that is well-suited for harsh offshore wind and wave environments. Jimmy earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

Richard Lee Fowler

Advisory Board

Rick Fowler has over forty years’ experience in the oil and gas industry with over 25 years in the deep-water Gulf of America ("GOA") sector. Rick was formerly Chief Operating Officer for LLOG Exploration until 2020. He helped LLOG grow into the fifth largest producer in the GOA and the largest private US oil producer. In his career, Rick has been highly involved in ten multi-billion dollar GOA projects using new floating production systems (FPS) and numerous subsea tieback projects. Rick Fowler joined LLOG in 2007 and held the position of VP of deep water projects since that time. Prior to joining the company, he was with Dominion E&P for 12 years and was in charge of their $5 billion offshore business unit including the management of over 300 employees. Before that, Rick was employed by Exxon for 12 years in various reservoir engineering and operational assignments. Rick was awarded the API Meritorious Service Award in 2016, the SPE Regional Service Award in 2015, and the SPE Distinguished Contribution Award in 2008 for his significant contributions to the petroleum engineering profession and the oil and gas industry. Rick earned his BSME degree from Tulane University.

Kevin Aylward

Advisory Board

Kevin Aylward has over thirty years' experience in the energy, environmental, and public sectors. Kevin is currently the CEO of Mekapisk EnviroBlu, an Indigenous-owned Canadian company transforming the global cleaner/degreaser industry. As a member of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation, Kevin is a passionate advocate for sustainable development and Indigenous economic participation in the clean technology space. Kevin has held executive roles in both public and private sectors, including serving as Chief Operating Officer of LNG NL, where he advanced offshore gas and LNG development in Newfoundland and Labrador as part of Canada’s energy transition. He was previously a Partner and COO at Beothuk Energy Inc., which partnered with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners to develop offshore wind projects in Atlantic Canada. As the President of Aylward and Associates Consulting Group, Kevin has provided business development and capital-raising services to emerging companies. He currently serves as a Director of Ceylon Graphite Corp. (TSX-V). Kevin's past leadership roles include CEO and President of NWest Energy, CEO of Goose Bay International Airport, and CEO of Nunacor Development Corporation in Labrador. In public service, Kevin served nine years as a Provincial Cabinet Minister with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, holding portfolios such as Environment, Labour, and Forestry & Agrifoods. In 2011, he was elected Leader of the Provincial Liberal Party. Kevin earned his Bachelor's degree from Memorial University, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Tom Broom

Advisory Board

Tom Broom brings more than 45 years of distinguished experience in the energy industry, including 35 years with Shell plc and seven years with Danos, LLC. Beginning his career with Shell in 1981, Tom held a series of leadership roles of increasing responsibility within the Exploration & Production organization. His experience spans a broad range of upstream operations, including offshore and onshore United States, onshore Canada, and offshore Brazil. Tom played a key role in Shell’s early deep-water oil and gas exploration and development efforts in the Gulf of Mexico during the 1980s and is widely recognized for his extensive industry knowledge and operational expertise. Following his retirement from Shell, Tom joined Danos, a family-owned energy services company, where he provided strategic guidance to company owners and leadership, contributing to significant growth across Danos’ strategic accounts. Tom currently serves on the Louisiana Governor’s Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration, and Conservation, having been appointed by Governor Jeff Landry. He previously served on the Louisiana Climate Initiatives Task Force, representing the Mining and Oil & Gas sector, following his appointment by Governor John Bel Edwards. Tom holds a Bachelor of Science degree and an MBA degree from Nicholls State University, and has completed executive education coursework at the University of Southern California.

Eric N. Smith

Advisory Board

Eric is the original member and Associate Director of the Tulane Energy Institute, a Clinical Finance Professor at Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business, the Energy Committee chairman for the World Trade Center of New Orleans, and was retained as a consultant to Louisiana’s Department of Economic Development and to Greater New Orleans, Inc.. He has also served on the City of New Orleans Energy Advisory Board to assist with improving the efficiency of electric power generation and distribution. Eric was the President and Chairman of the U.S. Saipem SpA subsidiary. At Saipem, Eric led Exxon’s Diana Hoover project – a pioneering $1.5 billion facility that was installed from 1999-2000 in a water depth of 5,000 feet, 200 miles south of Galveston, Texas. Eric has also worked for McDermott International, Inc., Allied Chemical Corporation, International Maritime Associates, Delta Energy Management, Inc., Global Industries LTD, the CRP Group LTD, and Torch Offshore, Inc.. Mr. Smith has served as an expert witness in cases involving both onshore and offshore energy industry participants, potential changes in the interpretation of existing regulations, and has also provided testimony to congressional committees focused on policy changes affecting the industry. Eric was also principal investigator and editor of a report on LNG terminals and their impact on Gulf Coast Economies. Eric earned his B.CH.E. degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and his MBA in Finance from Tulane University, A.B. Freeman School of Business.