CAPT Ron Crook graduated in 1970 from the Texas A&M Maritime Academy with a BS in Marine Transportation, a commission in the US Navy as Ensign, and a 3rd Mates license in the United States Merchant Marine. He sailed off the open board with Masters, Mates and Pilots on tankers, freighters, Ro-Ro’s, and container ships gaining experience on board different ships. In 1980 he became the Chief Officer aboard the S.S. Mormactide. In 1985 he was sent to Daewoo Shipyard to help in the building of the 12 Econ ships for US Lines and was eventually assigned as Captain of the American Illinois. In 1988 he became the relieving Master for Sea Land Services and sailed as Master on 14 different vessels, acquiring knowledge worldwide. Ron retired from a seagoing career in 1995. In 2000 he bought a sailboat and did charters in the Caribbean. In 2001 he was hired as an instructor by the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies. in 2003 he was involved with maritime security and did vessel security for ships around the world.
In 2006 he became the port Captain for Blackwater Worldwide, a company doing security around the world. During his time with Blackwater he purchased an old NOAA research vessel and brought it into compliance with ABS and the USCG. Finally, in 2009 he became an instructor for MAMA and still later an instructor for San Jacinto College Maritime Center.
Ron enjoys sailing, hunting, fishing and camping. He has been married to his wife Brenda for 51 years, has two children, 5 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
He is also a Rotarian and a Mason. Ron is now a part time instructor for the Maritime Institute at the Norfolk campus.