Four students from the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Department (NAME) made a notable splash with Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. (BHGI), a company that the CoE grads created during a late-night brainstorming session. BHGI is a naval architecture and marine engineering firm that provides a range of services, including design, engineering and analysis.

According to clients, the company reflects the hard-working attitudes of founders Greg Beers (BSE NAME ’94), Cory Wood (BSE NAME ’93), Andrew Tyska (BSE NAME ’94, MSE ’95) and James Criner (BSE NAME ’94, MSE ’95). Tyska, Beers and Wood are the company’s principals; Criner has left the company and is currently working for Oracle Racing as part of the design team in pursuit of the America’s Cup. BHGI employs two other CoE grads, Marc Castillo (BSE NAME ’98) and Adele Castillo (BSE NAME ’98) as naval architects.

Beers, who met his partners at U-M in the early ’90s, talked about the Bristol Harbor Group and his CoE experience. “The College of Engineering gave us the technical foundation that’s necessary to develop a successful design and engineering firm,” he said. “And the personal challenges we faced as College of Engineering undergrads solidified a deep friendship and trust that forms the basis of our partnership. It’s fair to say that Bristol Harbor Group, Inc., wouldn’t have been possible without the College of Engineering.”

Located on the harbor in Bristol, Rhode Island, BHGI has positioned itself right in the center of the New England marine industry. James Barker, president of nearby client Blount/Barker Shipbuilding, said, “I appreciate naval architects with good business sense, and BHGI brings to the table the most modern design and engineering technology.”

BHGI is currently working on a design project with the CoE Naval Architecture department and will be tank-testing the design at the College.

Beers noted that interested parties could contact the management team by phone at 401-253-4318, by fax at 401-253-2329 or by email at design@bristolharborgroup.com.