EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Helene Pierson
hpierson@sciphiladelphia.org
Helene was named Executive Director in 2016. Her background includes extensive experience in not-for-profit and corporate management, and she is equally comfortable driving a van as chairing a major event.

PORT CHAPLAIN


Rev. Modayil Philips
Rev. Philips has been an Episcopal Priest with the Diocese of Pennsylvania for the last ten years, originally from the church of South India where he served for twenty years. He currently is Chaplain with Jefferson (Bayada) Hospice, in addition to Chaplain of the Port, and he “loves coming in and serving seafarers.”

THE CO-OPS

Ted Dahlburg, Co-Operations Manager
Ted is thrilled to be a member of the SCI team and support its mission of serving visiting seafarers, The proud son of a Great Lakes ordinary seaman, Ted is a longtime student and proponent of the Delaware Valley’s vital maritime industry.
Rebecca Pierson, Co-Operations Manager
Rebecca coordinates our fundraising events and manages the logistics of shopping for seafarers and other important ways we serve. For example, crew members can’t just dash out to stock up when they’re running out of basics like vitamins or shampoo. She makes it happen.

SHIP VISITORS AND STAFF

Steve Anderson, Operations Supervisor, Nights/Weekends
Steve has been an SCI ship visitor for fifteen years and has a wide range of experience with the challenges facing seafarers. He says, “I love working with seamen. I love seeing their smiles when you do something to help them.”
Robin Benbow, Ship Visitor
Robin is a Philly native and mother of one daughter who is a PHD candidate in Denver. She marvels at ships, “how big they are!” and enjoys talking with people from different cultures, who sometimes say “come and see my country.” Her final comment: “I love my co-workers. They are like big brothers, and if I need help, it’s a phone call away.”
Jerome Green, Ship Visitor
Working evenings and weekends, Jerome adeptly juggles all types of seafarer requests. He has lived much of his life near large bodies of water (the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay, Delaware River) and, as a welder for the US Navy, he enjoys a unique professional connection to the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
Nikki Green, Communications
Nikki divides her time between Florida and her home on the Philadelphia waterfront. She works for SCI year-round, responsible for our electronic communications and coordination of the Ditty Bag Program.
Tony Mazella, Ship Visitor
When Tony first joined SCI he was amazed to discover the large number of ships and port terminals we serve, and he knew right away this was the right role for him. As a people person, he loves getting to know seafarers, helping them with transport and shopping, and making them feel welcome.
John McCreavy, Ship Visitor
Throughout his 40-year freight transportation career, John always recognized the importance of the cargo activity of the ports. “Working at SCI'” he says, “gives me the opportunity to say thank you to the many people who globally operate these ships to deliver the goods!”
Robert Quay, Ship Visitor
Bob joined SCI with a background in art and music and a varied career, including small business ownership. He finds ports and the port system “amazing, how busy it is.” Of all his experiences he considers this the most unusual, and among the most interesting.
Martin Wade, Ship Visitor
Martin, a Navy Vet, learned about a volunteer opportunity at SCI on line and then found a home here after a multifaceted career. He enjoys making a difference in mariners’ lives and continuing his family’s 200-year history of seafaring.

AND OUR DEEPEST APPRECIATION TO ALL THE DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS WHO SERVE AS SHIP VISITORS, HELP OUT AT EVENTS, GATHER IN THE FALL TO FILL DITTY BAGS FOR SEAFARERS, AND IN SO MANY OTHER WAYS MAKE OUR ORGANIZATION MORE EFFECTIVE THAN WE COULD POSSIBLY BE WITHOUT THEM!