The George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science (GW Engineering) is excited to have Chris Wiernicki, M.S. ’83, as the keynote speaker at the 2025 GW Engineering graduation celebration.
Wiernicki earned his master’s in structural engineering from GW Engineering. He was inducted into the George Washington University Engineering and Applied Science Hall of Fame and currently serves on GW Engineering’s National Advisory Council.
As the long-serving Chairman and CEO of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Wiernicki values intellectual ingenuity and hard work. This is evident in his commitment to supporting GW Engineering and its mission of educational excellence and high-impact research.
“It’s an honor and a pleasure to serve as this year’s graduation speaker for GW Engineering’s class of 2025. I hope my message of embracing change resonates with the graduates,” said Wiernicki. “Additionally, I aim to remind them that as graduates of GW Engineering, they should leverage the school’s impressive alumni network and unique Washington, D.C. location with proximity to many national research labs, government organizations, and industry to discover and explore post-graduate opportunities.”
Wiernicki stated, "GW Engineering’s systems engineering perspective and approach, and its ability to connect technology, policy, and business together, is a real differentiator and students need to take advantage of this value proposition.”
Wiernicki has more than 35 years of extensive experience in commercial, government, and international marine and offshore design, operations, infrastructure, and safety management, including ports and bunkering, digitization, cybersecurity, and clean energy transition. However, he did not always know he would have a career in the global maritime shipping industry.
“I graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering and wanted to design buildings and bridges. However, I needed to go back to Washington, D.C., where I grew up, and the only job I could get at the time was as a Ship Structural Engineer for the U.S. Navy at the David Taylor Naval Ship Research Center,” said Wiernicki. “That’s when I was introduced to George Washington University’s Engineering school and where I earned my master’s degree in Structural Engineering.”
GW Engineering’s academic community left a lasting impact and positive impression on Wiernicki. During his graduate studies at GW, several faculty and staff members inspired Wiernicki and helped him achieve success both academically and professionally.
“While earning my GW MS degree, I fell in love with engineering and systems thinking, and working full time at the research facility allowed me to bring my MS degree to life,” said Wiernicki. “Dean (Harold) Liebowitz encouraged me to continue my engineering journey at MIT. He challenged me to be innovative and value first principles, technical thinking based on mathematics and physics.”
Wiernicki has had a distinguished professional career, including a long list of awards, record-breaking accomplishments, and notable leadership milestones. His career spans a broad spectrum of disciplines from naval architecture to sustainability to digitalization.
In 2016, he was inducted into the International Maritime Hall of Fame, and in 2021, he was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering - the highest professional honor for engineers - for his innovative leadership in the design, engineering, and operation of ships and offshore structures. In 2022, he was selected as a member of the Marine Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
In December 2024, Wiernicki was ranked number 68 in the Lloyd’s List of Top 100 People in Shipping, highlighting the most influential individuals in the shipping industry.
“It’s an honor to have Mr. Wiernicki as this year’s graduation celebration speaker, not only because of his impressive experience in the maritime sector, but because of his commitment to creating invaluable opportunities for our students and our faculty,” said GW Engineering Dean John Lach. “He has consistently demonstrated his belief in the mission of our school by introducing new ideas and strategies that will expand our research footprint for faculty and establish career opportunities for students, and we are humbled to have him as an active member of the GW Engineering community.”
Wiernicki has industry influence that reaches beyond the boardroom and beyond ABS.
He served on the National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC), advising the White House. Internationally, he was selected to Singapore’s Maritime International Advisory Panel (IAP) in 2023, which positioned Wiernicki to shape policy at the global level. The IAP, established by the Ministry of Transport and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), seeks perspectives on navigating major maritime shifts—from decarbonization to digitalization.
Wiernicki believes there are several opportunities for the next generation of innovators to carve their path to success and insists emerging professionals must be diligent, agile, and unwavering.
“Don’t give up! Continue to build your brand, which starts with your GW Engineering degree,” said Wiernicki. “Be innovative and resilient. Learn how to embrace change and make uncertainty your friend. Be flexible and adaptive.”
Wiernicki hopes other alumni, GW parents, and members of the GW community follow in his footsteps.
“Becoming and staying active in GW Engineering’s alumni group after graduation is an important part of the journey for continuous learning and developing relationships. GW Engineering’s alumni network is a Who’s Who of leadership in government and industry, so leverage all opportunities to get involved.”
Wiernicki holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Vanderbilt University, was inducted into the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni, and was named to the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering’s Board of Visitors. Wiernicki also holds a master’s degree in ocean engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and completed Harvard University’s Advanced Management Program. Wiernicki also received honorary Doctor of Science degrees from Maine Maritime Academy, Webb Institute, and SUNY Maritime College and an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from Stevens Institute of Technology.