CAPT Aaron Bresnahan

Captain Aaron Bresnahan retired from the US Navy Reserve after 28 years of commissioned service as a Strategic Sealift Officer. He had two command tours while a Captain, serving as Commanding Officer (CO) of NR, MSCCENT HQ, and subsequently as CO of NR, MSCEURAF HQ.

Captain Bresnahan previously served as President and Managing Director of Wartsila North America, Inc., a Smart Technology company employing approx. 900 employees in the USA. He also served as a member of the Wartsila Corporation Marine Business Management Team and was its Vice President, Americas, responsible for achieving Marine Business financial, operational, and safety targets throughout the Americas. Wartsila Corporation is a global leader in the supply of Marine Solutions, Energy Solutions, and related Services. He previously held the roles of Chairman of the Board and President of Wartsila Dynamic Positioning Systems, Inc.; President, Board member, and Shareholder Representative of Wartsila Defense, Inc.; and Chairman of the Board of Wartsila Canada, Inc.

During his 23-year tenure with Wartsila, Captain Bresnahan held various Senior Executive-level, Director-level, and General Managerial positions; being assigned to both global and domestic responsibilities within the maritime sector.

Captain Bresnahan is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of the US Navy (AUSN), an association supporting the US Navy and its sailors as well as a member of the AUSN Scholarship Fund, providing scholarships to eligible students. He also served as the elected, past National President of AUSN. He is a Board member of the Northeast Maritime Institute, Fairhaven. MA. He is a Director & Secretary of the Naval Order of the United States Foundation Fund. He is also a life member of the Navy League, the America Legion, and the Navy War College Foundation.

Education & Certificates

Harvard Business School Executive Education, Certificate of Management Excellence, 2021
National Defense University, Reserve Component National Security Course, 2018
Navy Reserve Officer Senior Leadership Course, US Navy Reserve, 2016
Joint Forces Staff College, Advanced Joint Professional Military Education, 2014
Harvard Business School Executive Education, Aligning Strategy & Sales, 2012
IMD Executive Education, Lausanne Leadership Program, 2009.
MA, National Security & Strategic Studies, US Naval War College, 2006
US Naval War College, Joint Professional Military Education, Phase I, 2005
MBA, Business Administration, Regent University, 1993 BS, Marine Engineering Systems, US Merchant Marine Academy, 1991