Prior to joining the Haslam College of Business in the fall 2022, Dr. Maier served as Dean for nine years at two, state maritime academies (Maine Maritime and Cal Maritime). As the founding Dean for the School of Maritime Transportation, Logistics, & Management at California State University – Maritime Academy, he oversaw programs in marine transportation, logistics, and academic oversight for Naval Science (Strategic Sealift Midshipmen Program). He and his colleague led Cal Maritime’s Long-Range Planning Group to develop an academic schedule, helping students remain on-track to graduate and safety requirements during the pandemic. Dr. Maier has been featured on CNN, CNN-I, ABC-San Francisco, San Francisco Chronicle, and Popular Mechanics as the subject matter expert on the M/S Ever Given and the volatility in the global supply chain. He was a keynote speaker for events with the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), the Marine Insurance Association of Seattle (MIAS), Board of Marine Underwriters of San Francisco, the Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals Association, and the International Association of Maritime Port Executives (IAMPE).
As Dean at Maine Maritime Academy (MMA), Dr. Maier was directly responsible for the creation of the asynchronous, fully online graduate program, as well as receiving NEASC accreditation for the program. His team was able to design a Logistics Lab providing students more hands-on learning while eventually being integrated throughout the program’s curriculum. He served on the Maine International Trade Center Board of Advisors. At Cal Maritime, he served on the Solano County (CA) Economic Development Board of Directors and led the efforts to implement Dynamic Positioning (DP) and earn Nautical Institute international accreditation for the course, the first state maritime academy to earn the global recognition. He spearheaded innovative experiential learning opportunities including “Inventory Watch”, in which his students (cadets) would have true, hands-on experience. He continues to serve on the IAMPE’s Board of Advisors and serves on the Advisory Board for the Containerization & Intermodal Institute.
Prior to joining MMA, Dr. Maier began his full-time academic career in 2004 at the University of St. Francis in Illinois, where he was the 2009 recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award, the 2009 Alumni Board Presidential Award, and received tenure. While at USF, he also was a member of the Will County Health Department’s Emergency Response Team where he designed and managed the distribution of pharmaceutical supplies during the H1N1 incident. He also served on the Will County Center for Economic Development Logistics Advisory Board helping to create Joliet, IL as the “inland empire” of the Midwest. His professional career included roles in the logistics and supply chain management teams at FedEx, Office Depot, Penske Logistics, Monsanto, and Merisant (division of Monsanto). He was instrumental in the strategic design and leadership of the International Logistics Operation for North and Central America. He managed the design and development of the Total Productive Manufacturing quality culture at Merisant focusing on the principles of 5S and Lean.
Dr. Maier and his wife Laura (and best friend) are the proud parents of two adult children, Joe and Lillie. Always the adventurous type, he and his family have had the amazing opportunity to live and work in the Midwest, both Coasts, in urban and rural areas. He thoroughly enjoys being outdoors, fishing, hunting, and craft-beer.
He earned a Ph.D. in Organization Development and a MS in Organizational Behavior from Benedictine University (Lisle, IL), and a BA in Political Science from the University of St. Francis (Joliet, IL).