Chris Clark
Vice President of New Construction
Chris Clark is the Vice President of New Construction at TOTE Services, overseeing the company’s vessel construction and technical services portfolio. A naval architect and University of Michigan graduate, Chris has more than 20 years of maritime experience in government and commercial shipbuilding. He has spent his career overseeing all phases of vessel construction while driving innovation and efficiency.
Since joining TOTE Services in 2020, Chris has played a pivotal role in growing the Vessel Construction Manager program, starting as Program Manager overseeing National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) construction. He continues to provide strategic leadership for this and other major shipbuilding initiatives, using his expertise to help deliver some of the nation’s most successful government shipbuilding programs.
Before joining TOTE Services, Chris led several new-build programs for a major Jones Act operator in the United States, overseeing all aspects of vessel construction, including project management, vendor relations, regulatory compliance, quality control and budget oversight. Earlier in his career, he supported vessel design and engineering at Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA 05) in Washington, D.C., and Trinity Yachts, LLC in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Chris continues to drive innovation in shipbuilding and government contracting with the goal of strengthening the domestic shipbuilding industry to support the execution of complex maritime projects. He is based in Philadelphia.
Phil Morrell
Vice President of Projects
Phil Morrell has 43 years of maritime experience spanning shipbuilding, ship repair, technical management and terminal operations. In his role as Vice President of Projects, he serves as a key member of the TOTE Services senior leadership team.
In his previous role of Vice President of Marine Operations, Phil oversaw TOTE Alaska’s Orca-class vessels. Before that, he was in charge of Tacoma and Anchorage terminal operations and led the Orca class dual fuel (LNG) conversion, managing cost, schedule and budget, as well as technical execution. Before joining TOTE Services in 2002, he held a variety of positions with shipping companies in the United States and internationally.
Phil is a graduate of the University of Oregon and serves on the Washington State Board of Pilotage, the board of directors of the Washington State Emergency Rescue Tug Vessel, the board of directors of the Washington State Maritime Cooperative and the board of directors of the Chadux Network.
Tony Erickson
Program Manager
Tony Erickson is a Program Manager overseeing a complex government shipbuilding contract under the VCM model. He ensures vessels are built to specifications while maintaining budget and schedule discipline.
Tony joined TOTE Services in 2018 following a 20-year career in the U.S. Coast Guard. Prior to retiring as a Commander, he managed production and development of National Security Cutters, high-endurance, blue-water, multi-mission cutters designed for worldwide deployment.
A native of Wasilla, Alaska, Tony holds a Bachelor of Science in naval architecture and marine engineering from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and a Master of Science degree in engineering management from Portland State University.
Erik Waryas
Director of New Construction and NSMV Program Manager
As Program Manager for the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) program, Erik Waryas oversees construction of state-of-the-art training ships for the U.S. Maritime Administration.
Erik leads the TOTE Services team, serves as the primary point of contact for the government customer, shipyard, and subcontractors, and ensures the program meets cost, schedule and quality goals.
During his tenure on the NSMV program, TOTE Services has limited contract changes so that the total program cost has increased only through customer-directed changes to equipment selection.
Erik has played a critical role in NSMV construction since the program’s inception, previously serving as Chief Inspector on the project. Before joining TOTE Services in 2021, he was Senior Surveyor for the American Bureau of Shipping, where he was responsible for the technical compliance of new construction and in-service vessels.
Erik holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Villanova University. He is based in Philadelphia.