Title: Senior Naval Architect
Company: Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, LLC
Location: Houma, Louisiana, United States
Andrés Chapa, Senior Naval Architect at Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, LLC, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Engineers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Ocean Engineering.
Mr. Chapa is recognized as a senior naval architect, hired by Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, LLC, in 2024. Headquartered in Houma, Louisiana, with a second location in nearby Lockport, Louisiana, the organization is recognized as a leading marine construction company in the state, specializing in building and repairing all types of boats, including tugboats and platform supply vessels.
Lauded for his expertise in quality checks and technical analysis, Mr. Chapa has leveraged his background in ocean engineering to perform a range of responsibilities in his senior leadership role. Among them, he conducts quality checks and ensures equipment specifications are met. He also designs engineering structures to meet specifications, performs engineering analyses and stability assessments, conducts site visits to monitor ship construction progress, and responds to production and technical inquiries. Additionally, Mr. Chapa coordinates with third-party engineering firms and manages multiple tasks based on shipyard production needs.
Before being hired by Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, LLC, Mr. Chapa worked for Alan C. McClure Associates (ACMA) Inc. as a naval architect from 2010 to 2024. During this significant tenure, he gained experience in all areas of engineering services in this sector. Mr. Chapa began by working with basic AutoCAD tasks and drawing checks, and progressed to 3D modeling, structural work, stability analysis and motion analysis. Based in Houston, Texas, ACMA has led the industry for more than 40 years, providing offshore exploration, production and marine transportation engineering and design services on an international scale.
In preparation for his career, Mr. Chapa earned a Bachelor of Science in ocean engineering from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, in 2010. Additionally, he received a professional engineer license in naval architecture from the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors in 2015. Mr. Chapa’s initial interest in the field began after taking the Introduction to Ocean Engineering course at Texas A&M. Originally pursuing a degree in civil engineering, he chose to pivot.
As part of his continued success, Mr. Chapa has maintained affiliations with the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) since 2010, a professional organization that has been instrumental in his career development and in keeping him at the forefront of the industry. Through the SNAME, Mr. Chapa has volunteered for various events, mentored numerous students through its Mentor for a Day program, and recently initiated a shipyard internship program in partnership with the University of Michigan to mentor the next generation of naval architects and engineers. He notably interviewed nine candidates and extended an offer to a graduate student.
Civically engaged, Mr. Chapa has volunteered for hurricane relief efforts throughout Houston, helping clean affected areas and distribute food to those in need. As of 2026, he plans to engage in coastal restoration through an oyster-shell replanting initiative to combat coastal erosion in Louisiana.
Among Mr. Chapa’s most significant professional accomplishments has been his role in building research vessels valued at $50-70 million, designed to last more than 40 years and to serve critical functions for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other agencies. Born in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, he also received approval for a National Interest Waiver (NIW) from the U.S. government in 2024. The NIW is a provision under the EB‑2 employment‑based green card category that permits certain highly skilled professionals to self‑petition for permanent residence without requiring a U.S. employer to sponsor them or complete the PERM labor certification process. The U.S. government waives these requirements for applicants such as Mr. Chapa, whose work is considered of national interest. Self-petitioning himself, he presented a business plan demonstrating how his presence would benefit the nation.
Attributing his success to his initiative and dedication to his field, Mr. Chapa identified areas where his company lacked skills and proactively developed those competencies to enhance its value. He learned the complexities of 3D modeling, finite element analysis and very high-stability analysis, all of which have been critical to his success and to the company’s direction.
Eager for the future, Mr. Chapa is open to working on other vessel types. He also intends to establish his own consulting business focused on research vessels. Additionally, Mr. Chapa would consider returning to Houston, where he believes there are more opportunities and better business travel connectivity.
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