Executive Leadership Team
Our management team includes highly trained and talented individuals with specialized education, practical experience, credentials, and industry expertise.
Captain David Pereira
President
Executive Staff
NAMS-CMS
Captain Pereira, a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, joined Sabine Surveyors in 1991 as a staff surveyor after a career aboard ship. He worked in various positions throughout the company until 2016 when he became the President. Captain Pereira’s duties include the responsibility for operations in eight (8) offices in major seaports along the U.S. Gulf and East coasts. He oversees policies and procedures within the company’s Quality Management System and works directly with top management to assess the overall performance of employees and the Organization’s major departments to ensure customer satisfaction. Captain Pereira is the newly elected (2020) President of the National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS).
CDR Rob Keister, USCG, Ret.
Vice President
Executive Staff
NAMS-CMS
Mr. Keister is a graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy and holds a Master’s of Science from the University of Connecticut. Rob joined Sabine Surveyors in 2016 as the Manager of Compliance and Special Projects and was promoted to Vice President in 2019. Rob was a senior Coast Guard Marine Inspector with over 24 years of experience in the USCG. After the Coast Guard, Rob managed compliance for an offshore vessel operator and managed operations for a towboat company. Rob organized and leads Sabine’s 46 CFR Subchapter M team, and manages all of Sabine’s Auditing and Compliance services. He is an active NAMS Certified Marine Surveyor.
Mr. Doug Bernard
Business Development Manager
Executive Staff
Mr. Bernard holds a BSBA Degree in Economics from the University of Louisiana Lafayette (ULL) in addition to advanced industry training. Doug joined Sabine Surveyors in 2013 as the Manager of Business Development and brought more than 40 years of experience. Previous positions and responsibilities include senior executive leadership, sales, sales management, marketing, engineering support, international trade, vessel chartering, contract negotiation, and client development. He has negotiated USDA GSM 102 Trade Financing, EXIM Bank Transactions, international letters of credit, vessel re-delivery settlements, and managed fleet operations. He also operated under ICS protocol for 30 months during the Macondo Oil Spill of 2010.
Ms. Brenda Kikuchi
Administrative Manager
Executive Staff
Ms. Kikuchi received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of New Orleans. Ms. Kikuchi joined Sabine Surveyors, Ltd. in 2008 as the Administrative Manager residing in the New Orleans office. She is responsible for all support functions company-wide and our Administrative staff. Brenda has worked in the marine industry for over 29 years as an Office Manager for a marine manufacturing company and a marine surveying company, and as Treasury and Recoveries Manager for a shipping agency. Her experience includes accounting, auditing, payroll, budgeting, rendering vessel accounts, report editing, invoicing, quality control, and a working ISO certified system.
Our Technical Team Leaders
Our team includes highly trained and talented individuals with specialized education, practical experience, credentials, and industry expertise.
Mr. Jeff Millard
Houston Area Manager
Mr. Millard earned a Bachelor of Science from Texas A & M University and sailed on the M/V JOIDES RESOLUTION. Certifications include; Hazmat, IICL Container Inspection, ISO Auditor and is a NAMSGlobal-CMS. Jeff joined Sabine in 1996 as a staff surveyor, was promoted to Houston Area Manager in 2008, assumed Heavy Lift/ Project cargo duties in 2014 and recently became our Texas Area Manager in 2019. Jeff is responsible for all aspects of the daily operations of the Houston Office, oversees Corpus Christi and Port Arthur locations, and ensures ISO 9001 and 14001 compliance. Jeff also has experience as an expert witness in marine-related claims. He is an active NAMS Certified Marine Surveyor.
Capt. Eldie Almoite
New Orleans Area Manager
Captain Almoite earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation from the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy. He holds an Unlimited Master’s License. Eldie joined Sabine Surveyors, Ltd. in 2007 as a staff surveyor in New Orleans. In 2008, he was promoted as Area Manager in Mobile, Alabama. In 2015, he transferred to Port Arthur, Texas. In 2018, he returned to New Orleans as the Area Manager and with additional responsibility for our Mobile office. Captain Almoite’s capabilities include cargo damage, ship/barge damage, shore facility damage surveys, draft surveys, cargo condition surveys, on/off charter hire. He is an active NAMS Certified Marine Surveyor.
Capt. Steven Delong
Port Arthur Area Manager
Captain DeLong holds a Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence (JD) from Capital University Law School. He is a retired Captain with the United States Navy Reserve, has served as a Ship’s Master, Marine Transportation Specialist, Naval Officer, and Attorney with wide experience in maritime, legal, management, and administrative environments. Captain DeLong joined Sabine Surveyors in 2007 and is currently the Port Arthur Area Manager responsible for the day-to-day operations in our Port Arthur and Lake Charles offices. He is an active NAMS Certified Marine Surveyor and an Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute (AFNI).
Mr. Brian Hales
Norfolk Area Manager
Mr. Hales earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Maritime Administration from Texas A&M Galveston. He completed four (4) years in the Corps of Cadets Deck Officer Training Program and sailed aboard the USTS Texas Clipper II. Brian joined Sabine Surveyors, Ltd. in 2013 as a staff surveyor in New Orleans. Mr. Hales skills include draft, cargo condition and damage, vessel condition and damage, dock damage, bunker quantification, and bunker detective surveys. He has served as an owner's representative in shipyard projects including new construction, re-air, and deconstruction. Brian is a certified auditor. In 2019 Brian relocated to and is currently responsible for our office in Norfolk. Mr. Hales is a NAMS Certified Marine Surveyor.
Mrs. Genelle Perez-Sandi, MBA
Auditing and Special Projects Manager
Mrs. Perez-Sandi received a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of New Orleans just before joining Sabine Surveyors, Ltd. in June 2009 as an Administrative Assistant. She continued to grow her career at Sabine and earned the roles of Administrative Customer Representative, Assistant Administrative Manager, and her current role of Auditing and Special Projects Manager. She received her Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin in August 2021. Genelle is certified in ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 Internal and External Auditing and has been the company’s ISO Quality Assurance Representative (QAR) since 2019. As the QAR she was a key player in upgrading our ISO System, updating and establishing procedures, implementing a web-based system, and is responsible for maintenance. Genelle has mentored and trained many new hires within the company and is the main point of contact for a few of the company’s largest customers. She is an active member of the Women in Maritime Organization (WIMOs). Genelle was selected as one of 40 under 40 honorees for the Inland Marine Expo 2022.
Our Technical Staff Leaders
Capt. Ralph Perera
Houston
Senior SurveyorNAMS-CMS
Captain Perera earned a Diploma in Technology (Master Class 1) from the Royal Melbourne University - Technology Campus at Melbourne, Australia. Ralph has over 30 years of experience in the marine industry. He holds a Certificate of Competency – Master Class 1 (unlimited tonnage). He is a Master Mariner with worldwide ocean-going experience on general cargo vessels, Roll On/Roll Off, Container, and Bulk Carriers. Captain Perera joined Sabine Surveyors, Ltd. in 2002 as a staff surveyor and was promoted to Senior Surveyor in 2017. He assists the Houston Area Manager in the coordination of work, overseeing staff surveyors, and day-to-day operations. He is an active NAMS Certified Marine Surveyor.
Amin Ali
Port Arthur
Senior Surveyor
Mr. Ali holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Karachi University. His more than 30 years of experience includes Director of Operations, Manager of a Liquid Cargo Division, P&I surveys, cargo condition, damage, draft, bunker, on, and off-hire surveys. Mr. Ali is licensed in three (3) classes, Marine, Motor, and Fire issued by the Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, and has completed Ship Shore Tanker Safety Training. Mr. Ali joined Sabine in 2011 as a staff surveyor and was promoted to Senior Surveyor in 2017. Mr. Ali has worked in our Houston and New Orleans offices, and at present Port Arthur.
Capt. Krasimir Dimitrov
Houston
Senior Surveyor
Captain Dimitrov earned a Master’s as Engineer Navigator from Nikola Yonkov Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna, Bulgaria. He joined Sabine Surveyors in 2018 as a staff surveyor and was promoted to Senior Surveyor in May 2020. He is a Master Mariner with experience in container, general cargo, multipurpose, and dry bulk vessels. Shoreside experience includes an in-depth working knowledge of ISPS, ISM, SOLAS, MARPOL, and STCW conventions. He has certifications from NCB, USCG, Dangerous Goods, Cargo Stowage and Securing Code, and Stability Calculations.
Mr. Glenn Mitchell
Mobile
Senior SurveyorNAMS-CMS
Mr. Mitchell graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (with honors). He holds licenses as USCG Chief Mate of Ocean Steam/Motor Vessels of any Gross Tons/Radar Observer, (Unlimited), GMDSS Radio Operator, and Certified Lifeboatman. Mr. Mitchell joined Sabine Surveyors, Ltd. in December of 2011 as a staff surveyor for the New Orleans office. He transferred to the Mobile office in July of 2012 to assist the Area Manager, as the customer base and port needs were expanding. He is an active NAMS Certified Marine Surveyor.
Mr. Bryan VitranoUSCG-Ret.
New Orleans
Senior Surveyor/Subchapter M AuditorNAMS-CMS
After serving for 20 years in the Coast Guard, Mr. Vitrano joined Sabine Surveyors, Ltd. as a Towing Vessel Surveyor/Auditor. During his Coast Guard career, he served 2 years on the USCGC SWEETGUM out of Mobile, Alabama before spending his remaining 18 years at multiple Marine Safety Units along the Gulf of Mexico and on the Mississippi River. Mr. Vitrano conducted safety and security inspections on bulk oil and chemical facilities in multiple U.S. ports. He conducted explosive handling supervisions, hazardous material intermodal container inspections, and pollution investigations. He performed regulatory examinations on over 700 Uninspected Towing Vessels as a lead Towing Vessel Examiner in Houston. Mr. Vitrano conducts vessel dry dock and topside surveys, internal and external vessel audits, internal survey review, USCG incident review/response, vessel damage, dock damage, and milestone surveys. He is an active NAMS Certified Marine Surveyor.