Edward A Urquhart

CEO

M: 203-644-6458

E: eau@truenorthchartering.com

E: chartering@truenorthchartering.com

Ed started his career at McQuilling Brokerage Partners Inc. in the Clean Department. After three years at Mcquilling, he joined MJLF and Associates, managing the Clean Department. He graduated from Fordham University in 2000 with a degree in Finance.

Francisco J Rendon

CCO

M: 203-644-6269

E: fjr@truenorthchartering.com

E: chartering@truenorthchartering.com

Frank Rendon is a Founding Partner and Chief Commercial Officer at True North, responsible for the firm’s commercial strategy, client relationships, and long-term growth. As part of the founding leadership team, he has been integral to shaping the company’s direction and expanding its presence across global markets. Frank’s current focus centers on the commercial development of clean petroleum products and time charter business, supporting True North’s continued evolution and scale. Frank began his shipping career at a leading maritime brokerage, where he spent four years specializing in clean petroleum tanker markets across South America. Prior to entering shipping, he worked several years in finance, building the analytical foundation that informs his leadership today. He is bilingual in Spanish and holds a B.S. in Marketing from Susquehanna University.

Brian R Boorse

M: 610-393-2872

E: brb@truenorthchartering.com

E: chartering@truenorthchartering.com

Brian joined True North Chartering in 2015 as a tanker broker concentrating on the clean petroleum markets. Before True North, he worked in sales for a wealth management firm and graduated from Ursinus College with a BA in Business and Economics.

William J Hirschfeld

M: 203-807-2126

E: wjh@truenorthchartering.com

E: chartering@truenorthchartering.com

Bill joined True North Chartering in 2010 after graduating from Fairfield University with a BA in Economics. He has spent most of this time with the company working as part of the Clean desk, where he currently sits with a focus on the LR West market.

James S McGovern

M: 914-610-1592

E: jsm@truenorthchartering.com

E: chartering@truenorthchartering.com

Jack McGovern graduated from SUNY Maritime in 2019 with a B.S. in Marine Transportation. Following graduation, he sailed as a Third Mate on US-flagged vessels in the Gulf of Mexico and on the US West Coast. In March 2024, Jack joined True North Chartering, where he currently works as part of the clean desk.

Leonid M Joutovsky

M: 516-589-4525

E: lmj@truenorthchartering.com

E: chartering@truenorthchartering.com

Lenny joined True North Chartering in March of 2022 as part of the clean desk. Before joining True North, Lenny received a master’s degree in Energy Systems Engineering from West Virginia University and worked as a petroleum engineer in the oil and gas industry.

Andrew C Balshi

M: 203-400-5200

E: acb@truenorthchartering.com

E: chartering@truenorthchartering.com

Drew Balshi graduated from Lehigh University in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. His shipping career began as a trainee in 2007 at MJLF. He has worked in various dirty sectors with True North since its opening in 2009. Drew is the head of the DPP Desk at True North, covering all sectors MRs through VLCCs. He enjoys playing basketball and golf as well as exploring the endless new restaurants of New York City.

Brian J Vogdes

M: 203-219-9751

E: bjv@truenorthchartering.com

E: chartering@truenorthchartering.com

Brian Vogdes is presently working on Crude/DPP markets. His primary focus is Crude markets in the Americas and West Africa. Brian has been with True North Chartering since it opened in 2009. Before chartering, he worked for World Fuel Services brokering and trading bunkers in the Caribbean and sailed coastwise aboard the U.S. Flagged tanker. Brian served as a Director of ASBA and graduated from SUNY Maritime with a B.S. in Marine Transportation in 2004.

Sean Peterkin

M: 203-945-6901

E: spn@truenorthchartering.com

E: chartering@truenorthchartering.com

Sean graduated from SUNY Maritime in 2003 with a degree in Business Administration and Marine Transportation. Shortly after graduating, Sean began his career as a spot broker working in both CT and GVA for MJLF and ICAP in London. Sean joined True North in 2012, where he continues to focus on the dirty spot market.

Michael O Hyland

M: 732-822-5697

E: moh@truenorthchartering.com

E: chartering@truenorthchartering.com

Mike joined True North in January of 2022 and works in the Crude/DPP markets. Before joining True North, Mike spent 15 years with the LITASCO group in the role of Senior Freight Trader between N.Y. and Geneva. While with the LITASCO Group, Mike chartered vessels for the CPP, DPP, and Crude desks and negotiated and traded time charters for Eiger Shipping S.A. Before joining LITASCO in 2007, Mike worked five years as a broker at MJLF in the spot department. He is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Mike enjoys fixing ships and golf.

Dwight J Tompkins

M: 914-262-1628

E: djt@truenorthchartering.com

E: chartering@truenorthchartering.com

Dwight graduated from SUNY Maritime in 2007. After graduation, he sailed on US Flag ATBs as Second Mate. In 2009, Dwight transitioned to an Operations role at General Maritime. He later moved to Chartering Manager, covering Panamax, Aframax, and Suezmax until joining True North in June 2018.

Peter M Klopfer

M: 516-589-4525

E: pmk@truenorthchartering.com

E: chartering@truenorthchartering.com

In 2021, Peter M. Klopfer joined True North Chartering LLC, where he heads up the S&P department. Prior to this role, Mr. Klopfer had a highly successful and impactful career in the international shipping industry, directly and indirectly involved in countless new-building and second-hand vessel transactions. Previously serving as the President of P. M. Klopfer Shipbrokers, Inc., he provided ship brokerage, maritime consulting, and financial/securities analysis services to the shipping and financial communities. In addition, he has led significant transactions, such as the sale of Burmah Castrols ULCC fleet to Stena Line Concordia A/B and the co-founding of First Ship Lease, a commercial finance company focusing on diverse maritime assets. His diverse expertise and achievements have cemented his influential and respected position within the industry.

Jerry N Lichtblau

M: 203-807-0699

E: jnl@truenorthchartering.com

E: chartering@truenorthchartering.com

Jerry heads our Industry Research and Analysis efforts and has over 25 years of Maritime Industry experience. Before joining True North, Jerry was in charge of all research and financial analysis at MJLF & Associates for 13 years. Jerry also spent seven plus years with OSG, where he was an officer in the finance department. Jerry has also worked for Sea-Land Corporation as well in the financial industry. He has a BS from SUNY Maritime College in Meteorology and Oceanography and an MBA from Columbia University in Finance.

Kaird M Durocher

M: 610-417-6690

E: krd@truenorthchartering.com

E: chartering@truenorthchartering.com

Kaird joined the True North brokering team after he graduated from Hartwick University in 2012 with a degree in Business. He started as a summer intern, getting experience across the Clean, Dirty, and Operations desks.  He was then hired as a full-time trainee on the spot clean desk. In 2015, he left the spot clean desk and was an original member of True Norths newly formed Projects desk(with a focus on Time Charters).  He has over 12 years of shipping experience but prior to working full time at True North, Kaird spent summers interning in the legal department of Victaulic, the world leader in mechanical pipe joining systems.

John K Black

M: 718-564-3568

E: jblack@truenorthchartering.com

E: usflag@truenorthchartering.com

John Black brings over 20 years of experience in U.S. Flag offshore maritime transportation, with deep expertise in both clean and dirty petroleum cargoes. His professional background encompasses vessel chartering, charter party negotiations, customer service, and market research. Throughout his career, John has consistently fostered strong client relationships and upheld the highest standards of service within the U.S. Flag market. John began his career in 2005 at Penn Maritime under the Jones Act framework and subsequently held key positions at Moran Towing Corporation and Vane Line Bunkering, LLC. In these roles, he managed chartering operations, petroleum fleets, and new-build projects. In 2022, John transitioned to the shipbroking sector, where he specializes in spot and term charter fixtures, market assessments, voyage performance, and strategic planning. His addition to True North Chartering further strengthens the company’s presence with the addition of a U.S. Flag desk.

Christian D Uecker

M: 203-434-6162

E: cdu@truenorthchartering.com

E: operations@truenorthchartering.com

Christian, head of our operations staff, brings experience as a Tanker Agent and Operations Manager at former OMI Corp and Torm USA. Christian brings extensive operations experience with both large tankers and product carriers. He graduated from SUNY Maritime College with a BS degree in Maritime Transportation.

Edward V Micola

M: 203-921-5116

E: evm@truenorthchartering.com

E: operations@truenorthchartering.com

Prior to brokering, Ed spent five years as an Officer of an ocean-going tanker. During the last four years, he has developed expertise in Suezmax and Aframax tanker markets. He is a graduate of SUNY Maritime with a degree in Maritime Transportation.

Edwin Arias

M: 914-879-6886

E: exa@truenorthchartering.com

E: operations@truenorthchartering.com

Edwin is a part of the operations team, previously a clean broker, and has been with the company since 2009. He graduated from Towson University in Maryland with a BS in Marketing.

Eric Halbeck

M: 203-912-4118

E: erh@truenorthchartering.com

E: claims@truenorthchartering.com

After graduating from SUNY Maritime, Eric embarked on an eighteen year, world wide, sailing career on tankers, with the last eight years as Master. He was then asked to come ashore and conduct the operations for OMI\'s suezmax vessels in New York. While at OMI. he was transferred to a subsidiary of OMI, International Product Carriers, a vessel pooling arrangement . The pool dissolved when a majority of the vessels were sold. He was then hired by MJLF to conduct broker operations and promoted a few years later to the Ops Manger position. After seventeen years at MJLF he decided to retire early and pursue his hobbies of fishing, cooking and travel. After a few years, he decided to reenter the shipping world and signed on with True North Chartering in August 2024.