VMS Foundation
Who we are & what we do
In honor of the late Virginia Maitland Sachs, the foundation is led by industry leaders continuing her philanthropic legacy. Together, we're compelled to assist historically under-served youth and young people who deserve the opportunity to start a career in the maritime industry.
Board of Directors
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Clay Maitland
President
Founder and son of Virginia Maitland Sachs, he has worked in the shipping industry since graduation from New York Law School in 1968. Clay has been employed by International Registries since 1976 and is now a managing partner and an owner of the company. He is President of the Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, the statutory Maritime Administrator of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. He believes, just as his mother did, that the industry needs to support & assist underprivileged younger people who deserve the opportunity to start a career in the maritime industry.
Hon. John Ingram
Board Member
Hon. John G. Ingram is a native New Yorker, SUNY Maritime Alumni, Navy Veteran, Volunteer Firefighter, and a Maritime Law specialist among many other things. His illustrious career as a Judge and Litigator practicing admiralty law has led to hundreds of successfully litigated cases representing container ship companies, cruise ship owners, terminal operators, passengers and harbor workers, seafarers, docking pilots, a major towing company and the Port of Albany. A former ship's officer, he sailed as Second and Third Mate aboard US Flag freighters, container ships, and passenger liners. Judge Ingram joins the VMS Foundation as a board member advocating in support for historically under-represented young people to have access to affordable Maritime studies and career opportunities that were available to him in his youth.
Sophia Brown
VP & Treasurer
A graduate of the American University, with a B.S.B.A. in International Business, has been in the shipping industry for 10 years. She is the General Manager at International Registries, Inc.’s New York office and serves as Executive Director on the Board of New York Maritime Inc. (NYMAR). She's the host of  "Women in Shipping", an interview video series for NYMAR, where female industry leaders discuss their careers and provide advice for other women in maritime. Ms. Brown is one of the founders and Vice President of the Virginia Maitland Sachs Foundation.
RADM Michael Alfultis
Board Member
Dr. Michael A. Alfultis was named the 11th president of SUNY Maritime College by the SUNY Board of Trustees in June 2014, and served in this role until his retirement in July 2024. A retired U.S. Coast Guard captain, Dr. Alfultis previously served as the director and chief administrative officer of the University of Connecticut's Avery Point campus. Dr. Alfultis has more than 20 years of undergraduate teaching experience as well as more than 20 years of academic administrative responsibility at both military and civilian institutions of higher education. His background includes service as an operations officer and navigator on a U.S. Coast Guard cutter; maritime safety and security; Coast Guard Academy faculty member and academic department chair; senior administrator at a flagship university; and college president. Dr. Alfultis graduated with honors from the Coast Guard Academy in 1982 with a degree in Marine Science. He later earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Washington (1987) and a doctorate from the University of Rhode Island (1997), both in Oceanography.
Tom Sullivan
Secretary
With thirty years in the tug/barge industry, and Alumni of SUNY Maritime '81, Tom currently oversee's the operations of Polaris New Energy, an LNG bunker fuel provider. He joined the VMS Foundation as Secretary with a vision to use his resources to create youth awareness and  maritime career pathways for many.
Kim Alfultis
Board Member
Kimberly Alfultis served as First Lady of SUNY Maritime College from 2014 to 2024 where she helped advance the College’s outreach and recruitment efforts. She was instrumental in establishing a recruiting and mentoring program that connected female alumni with female applicants, advancing the College’s efforts to increase female representation in its student body. She helped create an inclusive climate wherein everyone felt welcomed and valued by hosting numerous dinners for sports teams and student clubs. She played a critical role in the College’s outreach efforts to alumni and donors by hosting dinners, and through national and international trips for alumni gatherings and international conferences. The Marine Society of the City of New York recognized her tireless efforts by awarding her Honorary Membership in this historic society. Prior to her service at SUNY Maritime College, Ms. Alfultis served the State of Connecticut from 1987 to her retirement in 2015, working her way from Fiscal Clerk to Fiscal Administrative Manager for the State Treasurer’s Office. She was also elected to four terms on the Representative Town Meeting for the town of Waterford, Connecticut. Ms. Alfultis received a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from the University of Washington Foster School of Business in 1987.
Brian B.A. McAllister
Board Member
Brian McAllister is the President of McAllister Towing and the Bridgeport and Port Jefferson Steamboat Company. Founded in 1864, McAllister Towing is one of the oldest and largest maritime transportation companies in the United States. The company owns and operates nearly 100 vessels based in over a dozen ports from Eastport, Maine to San Juan, Puerto Rico. For more information, see www.mcallistertowing.com and https://88844ferry.com/ Mr. McAllister serves on the boards of the Steamship Mutual P&I Club, the Seamens Church Institute, and the Coast Guard Foundation. He is also a Member of the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey and the American Bureau of Shipping. He served as Chairman of the American Waterways Operators 2013-2014. A graduate of Hamilton College and UC College of the Law, San Francisco, he is admitted to practice law in New York, California, and a number of federal jurisdictions. Prior to her service at SUNY Maritime College, Ms. Alfultis served the State of Connecticut from 1987 to her retirement in 2015, working her way from Fiscal Clerk to Fiscal Administrative Manager for the State Treasurer’s Office. She was also elected to four terms on the Representative Town Meeting for the town of Waterford, Connecticut. Ms. Alfultis received a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from the University of Washington Foster School of Business in 1987.
Team Members
Shaila Tyler
Operations Manager
Shaila is a Baltimore native whose mother moved the family to New York in her early adolescence where they settled in The Bronx. With mentor support and inquisitiveness, she navigated environmental changes by participating in a variety of community led programs connecting youth to accessible experiences. She's a Dewitt Clinton High School Alumni & graduated from CUNY City Tech with a Bachelor’s in Architectural Technology. Shaila is also a performance artist at heart, and spent the majority of her years following university traveling and developing cultural competencies, while working as a consultant & freelancer in Film and TV. Proudly, she’s a mom of two and remains active in theatrical arts & film. Shaila joined the VMS Foundation as a contributor to a purposeful mission.