John Hark

Chartering Director - North America, Bertling Logistics Adjunct Professor, Texas A&M

John has been in the Houston maritime industry for 30+ years and holds Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees in Maritime Business Administration and Logistics from Texas A&M. He started with Bertling in 2002 as Director of North America Vessel Operations. After moving to Bertling’s logistics division, he held various management roles within North and South America. He is currently the North America Chartering Director.

John has also been an Adjunct Professor at Texas A&M University since 2002. Active in various industry and education initiatives, John is the current President of the Houston Maritime Arbitrators Association, sits on advisory councils for Lone Star College, Texas A&M, Houston City College, TSU, Galveston College, and San Jacinto College and is a board member of the Port Houston Partners in Maritime Education nonprofit organization.

He is also on the International Propeller Club Board, Houston Maritime Center and Museum Advisory Board, is a member of the Houston Institute of Supply Management Executive Advisory Board, chairs the Education Subcommittee for the Houston District Export Council and sits on the Editorial Board for Breakbulk Magazine.

In April 2020, he founded the Houston Supply Chain/Logistics Education Collective to proactively minimize the logistics industry talent gap and foster industry relationships with educators and students in the Greater Houston region.

2026 Education Day Sessions

Fireside Chat: Becoming Industry Ready: The Unwritten Rules of Building Your Professional Reputation

Hear directly from industry professionals in this fast-paced, student-led fireside chat. Driven by questions submitted by students ahead of the event, the conversation explores the practical advice rarely taught in the classroom – from making a strong first impression and approaching employers with confidence, to avoiding common mistakes and building your professional reputation.

Have a question you'd like answered? Submit it in advance here, and our panel will answer as many student questions as possible during the session.

Wednesday 23 September 11:10 - 11:30 NextWave Education Day

Add to calendar 09/23/2026 11:10 09/23/2026 11:30 Fireside Chat: Becoming Industry Ready: The Unwritten Rules of Building Your Professional Reputation Hear directly from industry professionals in this fast-paced, student-led fireside chat. Driven by questions submitted by students ahead of the event, the conversation explores the practical advice rarely taught in the classroom – from making a strong first impression and approaching employers with confidence, to avoiding common mistakes and building your professional reputation.

Have a question you'd like answered? Submit it in advance here, and our panel will answer as many student questions as possible during the session. NextWave Education Day America/Chicago

Roundtable Discussions: Becoming Industry Ready: The Unwritten Rules of Building Your Professional Reputation

Continue the conversation in small-group roundtable discussions with industry professionals. Building on the themes explored in the fireside chat, you'll have the opportunity to ask follow-up questions, hear different career journeys, gain tailored advice and practise professional conversations in a relaxed setting. It's the perfect chance to build confidence, expand your network and prepare for your visit to the exhibition floor.

Wednesday 23 September 11:30 - 11:50 NextWave Education Day

Add to calendar 09/23/2026 11:30 09/23/2026 11:50 Roundtable Discussions: Becoming Industry Ready: The Unwritten Rules of Building Your Professional Reputation Continue the conversation in small-group roundtable discussions with industry professionals. Building on the themes explored in the fireside chat, you'll have the opportunity to ask follow-up questions, hear different career journeys, gain tailored advice and practise professional conversations in a relaxed setting. It's the perfect chance to build confidence, expand your network and prepare for your visit to the exhibition floor. NextWave Education Day America/Chicago

2026 Event Agenda Sessions

What If? Mapping the Future of American Manufacturing

If manufacturing and industrial investment accelerate across the US, how will that impact project logistics, transportation and infrastructure? Built around two contrasting future scenarios selected from Breakbulk’s first scenario writing contest, this session moves past current industry hurdles to dive into strategic planning for 2030. Join industry leaders as they debate the practical realities, infrastructure requirements and strategic choices of each path, and then examine the choices companies may need to make now to prepare for the industrial supply chain of 2030.

Join the conversation. This session is built around future scenarios submitted to the Breakbulk Americas Scenario Writing Contest. If you have your own vision for how manufacturing, infrastructure and project logistics could evolve by 2030, we want to hear it.

→ Enter the Scenario Writing Contest

Wednesday 23 September 14:45 - 15:30 Breakbulk Live Stage