Third-generation Anderson joins Bremerton, Wash., firm

Nikolas “Ben” Anderson, P.E. has become the third generation of his family to join Art Anderson Associates.   The family firm was established in downtown Bremerton, Wash., by his grandparents, Arthur L. Anderson, P.E. and Bea Anderson, in 1957.  Ben Anderson’s father, Eric L. Anderson, P.E. is the current owner and CEO of the multi-faceted firm providing marine and facilities architecture and engineering services to clients in North America and worldwide.

Ben Anderson is a licensed Professional Naval Architect and Marine Engineer, and a graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering in 2002.  He also received dual Master of Science degrees in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and Mechanical Engineering from University of Michigan in 2006. 

During nine years of service with the Coast Guard, Mr. Anderson served on the icebreaker USCGC POLAR SEA, as Port Engineer for California-based USCG cutters; and most recently as the Engineering Officer on the USCGC ACTIVE tasked with drug interdiction along the coast of the Americas.  Leaving the Coast Guard with the rank of Lieutenant, he will continue to serve in the USCG Reserves.

Mr. Anderson says it was “a difficult decision” not to continue his Coast Guard career path, buts says he sees joining Art Anderson Associates as “an amazing opportunity to gain the private sector experience I’ll need in order to someday accept the helm of the family business from my father.”

Art Anderson first established the firm to provide engineering services to the United States Navy at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.  When Eric Anderson took over the firm, he diversified its talent and resources to meet clients’ engineering needs for turn-key ferry vessel, terminal and systems design; breakwater, marina and recreational design; vessel research and development; and integrated transport systems design.  Ben Anderson will begin with the company as a Project Engineer for the Marine Division.

“We’re excited to have Ben join Art Anderson Associates,” states Robert F. Henry, President of the firm.  “Many of our employees joined Art Anderson Associates because of the owner’s family-oriented business philosophy, so it’s great to see the continuity.  Ben brings a solid educational background and such practical naval architecture and marine engineering skills to the table that he was put to work on our current projects immediately.”

August 18, 2011