Eric Icke Age: 28
General Dynamics NASSCO San Diego, CA
UNDER THIRTY A
t 28, Eric Icke, a program manager at General Dynamics NASSCO, is working on a project that he already believes “is going to be one of the highlights of my career.” He is a critical player in the development and construction of the world’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered containership. Production of TOTE, Inc.’s new Marlin Class vessels began at NASSCO’s shipyard in San Diego in February. Clean burning, LNG offers unmatched environmental benefits, reducing emissions below even the world’s most stringent standards.
Eric, who started in the Professional Development Program at NASSCO in 2008, is now program manager of the TOTE project. He’s also worked as a production manager and deputy program manager for commercial contracts on a few other projects, such as the ECO- class tankers. “It’s historic, and it’s unique,” Icke told Manufacturing Engineering of the TOTE project. “There are a lot of different folds. It keeps me excited.” Among the challenges: con- verting traditional vessel designs to a dual-fueled propulsion system with LNG. Eric explained that LNG is stored at about -260° Fahrenheit, and the cryo- genic liquid must be converted into a gas that can be used in the engine. “It’s really unique in that this is the first and larg- est LNG-powered vessel of its kind,” said Eric, who believes that “we’re just starting to tap the potential” of LNG when it comes to displacing traditionally powered engine systems.
Parker Larson, director of Commercial Programs, General Dynamics NASSCO, said Eric is helping lead the US maritime industry into the future with his “creative thinking and unmatched drive,” noting, “The
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technology associated with this program represents the future—environmentally friendly and efficient vessels that transport goods around the world.”
“Eric’s ability to comprehend and construct the complex mechanical and electronic systems onboard these ships makes his skill set unique and invaluable.”
This isn’t the kind of work that Eric saw himself doing when he started his path toward engineering. “I thought I would design cars or be an architect,” he said. “I’ve always been interested in math and science,” explained Eric, whose mother manages civil engineer- ing projects and whose father is an IT manager. “I never really thought of doing anything else.” Eric was attracted to the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY, because of its distinguished curriculum, regimented lifestyle, and athletics program. Eric played men’s varsity basketball at the Academy. It was there that Eric had his first ex- posure to sea going ships, and he found their complex infrastructure fascinating. “As part of the program at Kings Point, students are trained to operate large ships. While sailing, I studied the shipboard systems, and had to figure out how they worked with each other to power the ship,” he explained. While Eric confesses a natural inclination toward math, science and problem-solving, he said he still had to work at his
studies in college. “Kings Point is a very difficult cur- riculum,” he said.
But failure was never an option for Eric, who is also a Lieutenant in the Navy Reserve and, at the time of his interview, had just returned from reserve duty in Korea. Eric said working on ships is very exciting, even though the process can take years. “Every day there’s always a new challenge,” he said. And in the end, “you get to see your concepts take shape and become massive, opera- tional vessels.” ME
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