About United States Maritime Foundation
"I cannot refrain from believing that Americans will one day become the primary maritime power of the globe." – Alexis de Tocqueville (1835)
The United States Maritime Foundation was formed in 2025 as an educational non-profit foundation with the goal to establish America's first national maritime museum in the historic port city of Alexandria, Virginia during the period of the United States' 250th Anniversary.
National Maritime Museum
The planned museum will be located along the Potomac waterfront in Old Town Alexandria and will serve as a vibrant destination attraction focused on the programming themes of Naval History, Commerce & Shipbuilding, Ocean Conservation, and Recreational Maritime activity.
Pathways for students
In partnership with the Tall Ship Providence, the Warner Maritime Heritage Center, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and other educational organizations, we are committed to charting pathways in maritime education. Our innovative approach prepares students for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in America's maritime related industries.
Home of the Providence
The mission of the Tall Ship Providence is to educate visitors on the role the Continental Navy played in the American Revolution using Tall Ship Providence as its anchor.
Leadership
Tom Church
Kathy Seifert
Tom Church
Chairman
Tom Church Retired Vice-Admiral Tom Church has 36 years active military experience in leadership and staff positions. Admiral Church commanded two warships and the Navy's largest shore installation at Norfolk, Virginia. He served as Navy budget director and Inspector General spearheading the investigation which led to what became
Chairman
Tom Church Retired Vice-Admiral Tom Church has 36 years active military experience in leadership and staff positions. Admiral Church commanded two warships and the Navy's largest shore installation at Norfolk, Virginia. He served as Navy budget director and Inspector General spearheading the investigation which led to what became known as the "Church Report." Prior to joining USMF, he served for many years on the Board of Directors of the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. and the Tall Ship Providence Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia.
John Camp
Kathy Seifert
Tom Church
Vice Chairman
Hailing from the tidewater necks of Virginia, John Camp has more than 35 years of private equity investment experience, including as Managing Director of Business Development for Arbor Investments and as partner of Southfield Capital Advisors. He earned an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and a
Vice Chairman
Hailing from the tidewater necks of Virginia, John Camp has more than 35 years of private equity investment experience, including as Managing Director of Business Development for Arbor Investments and as partner of Southfield Capital Advisors. He earned an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and a BA from University of the South. He has previously served as board member of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges, and on the Finance Advisory Committee for the Virginia Historical Society.
Marion Smith
Kathy Seifert
Kathy Seifert
President
Marion Smith is president of the United States Maritime Foundation. He has 15 years of experience as chairman, president, or CEO of national nonprofits and has been a part of a number of successful monument and museum projects, including the World War I Memorial, Victims of Communism Memorial Museum, the rebuild of Penn Station i
President
Marion Smith is president of the United States Maritime Foundation. He has 15 years of experience as chairman, president, or CEO of national nonprofits and has been a part of a number of successful monument and museum projects, including the World War I Memorial, Victims of Communism Memorial Museum, the rebuild of Penn Station in NYC, and the Eisenhower Memorial. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Wofford College in his home state of South Carolina and earned an MA from Central European University located in Budapest and Vienna.
Kathy Seifert
Kathy Seifert
Kathy Seifert
Vice President
As Executive Director of the Tall Ship Providence, Kathy brings years of experience in development and marketing on both the corporate and non-profit side. She is a long-time resident of Alexandria and has strong ties to the local community. Prior to joining Tall Ship Providence, Kathy served as the executive director of the
Vice President
As Executive Director of the Tall Ship Providence, Kathy brings years of experience in development and marketing on both the corporate and non-profit side. She is a long-time resident of Alexandria and has strong ties to the local community. Prior to joining Tall Ship Providence, Kathy served as the executive director of the Alexandria Seaport Foundation. Kathy has a BA from Connecticut College and an MA from Georgetown University.
About The United States Maritime Flag
Designed by Marion Smith in 2025, the USMF flag and logo are inspired by the original designs of America's first two naval flags (Rhode Island and South Carolina) from 1775 and incorporates elements of the Congressionally authorized (1848) yacht ensign popular among civilian vessels in the United States throughout the 20th century.