We are pleased to announce that Andrew Lachtman, Webb ’11, has joined the Webb faculty as Assistant Professor of Naval Architecture.

Andy joins us after a 14-year career as a naval architect and engineer, most recently with the US Coast Guard, and previously the US Maritime Administration and Bruce S. Rosenblatt Associates.  His broad experience encompasses design review and approval (structures, stability, arrangements), casualty investigations, and field work (drydockings, sea trials, ship inspections, and preventive maintenance).

Andy earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from UCLA in 2015 with a focus on finite element analysis (FEA).  Upon graduation from Webb, he was awarded the Luckenbach, Keeler, Ward, ABS, and SeaRiver Maritime prizes for top academic performance.  He chaired the Honor Council and studied abroad at the University of Southampton.

At the US Coast Guard, Andy trained active-duty officers in the principles and applications of naval architecture and discovered a love of teaching that Webb students will now benefit from.  We look forward to his energy, enthusiasm, and industry knowledge.  He will teach NA4: Ship Structures in the upcoming semester.

Andy and his wife, Kierstin Del Valle Lachtman (Webb ’13), will live on campus for the fall semester.  Kierstin makes this a dynamic duo with her position as head of the Liberian Shipowners Council, working remotely from our campus.  The LSC is an advocacy organization for the world’s largest open register that focuses on all the critical issues facing the shipping industry today.