Expertise Behind Every Waymaker Vessel

Waymaker Marine brings together people who have spent their careers on the water, designing for it, commanding within it, and building technologies that make it safer and more effective for others.

Our experience spans conventional and special operations, commercial marine work, engineering, design, and material innovation—but our expertise goes deeper than technical knowledge alone. It’s rooted in a deep understanding of the responsibility that comes with building something others trust with their time, their safety, and their mission. The purpose behind it is simple: to create vessels that make the job easier for the people who rely on them.

Our Team

Experience That Puts People First

Everyone on our team has seen firsthand how demanding the water can be. That’s why our work begins with empathy—understanding what operators face, what slows them down, and what wears them out.

Chris Caprio

Founder & Business Strategy

Chris brings over 25 years of executive leadership in high-growth, mission-focused industries, where he led organizations through market expansion, operational transformation, and more than $500M in annual revenue. His background spans strategic scaling, technology integration, customer experience, and multi-market growth. Chris founded Waymaker Marine with a belief that vessel performance should serve the people who operate them, guiding the company’s mission, partnerships, and long-term vision to modernize how marine craft are built and experienced.

Matt Lancaster, MHA

Founder & Operations Excellence

Matt blends clinical engineering expertise with a passion for problem-solving in complex operational environments. His background in healthcare systems, technology programs, and organizational strategy enables him to translate big-picture goals into clear, actionable paths forward. With strong analytical skills and a focus on mission execution, Matt ensures Waymaker Marine’s development process remains disciplined, operator-focused, and aligned with real-world performance requirements.

Peter Miller

Principal Attorney

Peter Miller brings decades of experience advising leaders through complex legal, regulatory, and business decisions. His expertise spans terrorism litigation, products liability, aviation law, and high-stakes matters.

As a 10-year Navy Fighter, engineer, and principal attorney, Pete is known for his clear judgment and strategic perspective. He translates complex legal frameworks into practical guidance that supports long-term operational and financial goals.

Peter is valued as a trusted advisor in moments where risk, scale, and accountability intersect—providing counsel that enables decisive action while protecting organizational resilience.

John Kecsmar, M.Phil., C.Eng., FRINA, MSNAME, MJASNAOE

Naval Architecture and Design

With more than 30 years of designing high-speed vessels, including patrol boats, fast ferries, SWATHs (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hulls), and crew boats, John brings deep expertise in hydrodynamics, aluminum structures, and fatigue performance. He has led naval design for major marine programs, founded a high-speed vessel consultancy, and contributed extensively to technical research and global maritime standards. His experience ensures Waymaker Marine’s hull concepts are grounded in proven science, advanced structural understanding, and real-world performance insights that support operator safety and vessel reliability.

Napoleon (Nap) deCiutiis

Founder & Defense Contracts and Relationships, Navy EOD Master Chief - Retired

Nap is a 24-year U.S. Navy veteran with deep experience in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operations, leadership, and high-risk mission readiness. He has served in critical roles, including Senior Enlisted Company Leader for Mine Countermeasure (MCM) response for 7th Fleet Area of Operation (AOR) and Program Manager for the Navy’s EOD and Diving communities. His deployments across Iraq and other operational theaters give him firsthand insight into what operators need to stay safe, sharp, and mission-effective. Nap applies this insight to shape Waymaker Marine’s Department of War relationships and ensure the company’s solutions remain grounded in real operational demands.

Simeon Cathey

Software Technical Expertise and Advisor

Simeon Cathey brings deep experience in product design and large-scale system development. He worked at Microsoft on the original SharePoint team as a Product Release Manager, helping shape enterprise collaboration and content-management solutions used globally.

He later founded and led a software development firm and TisBest Philanthropy, applying enterprise-scale engineering and product management to a high-volume digital gifting platform. Simeon’s expertise spans technical architecture, product strategy, and startup execution, translating complex software capabilities into scalable, user-centered solutions.

Partners

Strengthened by Strategic Partners

Waymaker Marine collaborates with innovators across composite materials, vessel design, advanced manufacturing, and marine technology. These partnerships accelerate development, validate new ideas, and support vessels built to protect operators, expand capability, and perform reliably in demanding environments.

Malama Kai

Kai Waymaker is a strategic joint venture between Malama Kai Technologies and Waymaker Marine, demonstrating advanced capabilities in marine engineering, composite manufacturing, and lifecycle support. Together, we deliver a comprehensive solution set that spans secure program execution, precision engineering, and scalable production, backed by SBA 8(a) NHO certification, CMMI, and CMMC credentials. This partnership enables us to provide end-to-end services with agility, technical depth, and compliance assurance for complex maritime and Department of War requirements.