Title: Vice President of Global Maritime Policy
Company: Cruise Lines International Association
Location: Ocean Springs, Mississippi, United States
Jethro Ronald Beck, Vice President of Global Maritime Policy at Cruise Lines International Association, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in the Cruise and Maritime Industry.
Mr. Beck’s distinguished career in maritime leadership spans nearly three decades, marked by a steady progression through increasingly influential roles and a steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship and operational excellence. Since 2024, he has held the position of vice president of global maritime policy at Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). In this role, he manages critical portfolio areas, including environment, security, medical affairs, public health, customs and immigration. He is also responsible for educating policymakers worldwide on the implications of regulatory development for crews and industry stakeholders. Additionally, Mr. Beck leads industry efforts in sustainable practices and innovation, which has deepened his sense of environmental stewardship and positioned him as an expert in global shipping decarbonization and passenger vessels.
Beyond his work with the CLIA, Mr. Beck will serve as the chair of both the global security committee and the broader global committee, representing the interests of his professional field on an international stage.
Mr. Beck’s journey began in 1996 as a cadet with Shell, where he gained foundational experience in marine operations and developed an early appreciation for the complexities of cargo shipping. From 2001 to 2003, he advanced to the position of senior second officer at Global Marine. Mr. Beck’s responsibilities included ensuring the safe navigation of vessels and upholding rigorous safety standards.
Over the next decade and a half, Mr. Beck was employed by Holland America Line, beginning in 2003 as a third officer, embarking on a long tenure with the company that would see him rise through the ranks. He then served as a second officer from 2006 to 2008, followed by first officer between 2008 and 2011, in each role expanding his leadership responsibilities and technical proficiency.
By 2011, Mr. Beck had earned the promotion to staff captain at Holland America Line, a position he held until 2014. In this capacity, he managed shipboard operations and crew welfare. The culmination of these efforts came in 2014, when Mr. Beck was named cruise ship captain. Taking command of his first vessel in Monaco after successfully passing all qualification exams stands as a defining moment in his professional life.
That same year marked Mr. Beck’s transition into director-level roles within Holland America Line and the broader Holland America Group, positions he held concurrently from 2014 to 2019. His leadership spanned Seabourn Cruise Line from 2017 to 2019, during which he served as the director of marine operations.
In 2019, Mr. Beck joined Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection as the senior director of marine operations. Over the next few years, he played an instrumental role in launching new luxury vessels and establishing best-in-class operational standards. From 2022 to 2024, Mr. Beck excelled as the vice president of marine operations at American Queen Voyages, where he managed complex logistics for the company’s river cruise fleets while championing initiatives focused on sustainability and guest experience.
Mr. Beck’s academic credentials have included earning a master mariner unlimited certification in nautical science from South Tyneside College of Nautical Studies in 2009, which provided the technical foundation for his seafaring career. In pursuit of continuous improvement, he completed executive education coursework in business and finance at the Yale School of Management in 2021. Mr. Beck’s commitment to lifelong learning is further evidenced by multiple certifications earned through Six Sigma Global Institute, as well as credentials from LinkedIn Learning in diversity and inclusion in a global enterprise, creating a communications strategy and developing executive presence.
Throughout his career, Mr. Beck has maintained active memberships with prominent industry organizations, such as the Nautical Institute and the International Propeller Club. He is also recognized for his contributions to the International Maritime Organization, where he represented the cruise sector in environmental policy discussions and helped draft proposals aimed at improving the measurement of carbon emissions for cruise ships.
A consistent theme throughout Mr. Beck’s life has been responsible resource management, a value instilled by his father’s work in forestry and reinforced by early academic projects exploring Scotland’s unique ecosystems. This perspective carried through every stage of his career, from preventing pollution aboard oil tankers to safeguarding seabed habitats during fiber-optic cable installations, and ultimately expanding into holistic sustainability practices within the cruise industry.
Looking ahead, Mr. Beck remains committed to guiding the cruise industry through its decarbonization journey while advancing responsible operations aligned with international targets set by organizations such as the International Maritime Organization. He also envisions continuing this meaningful work at CLIA, helping shape policies that enable not only the cruise sector but also its many partners worldwide to thrive sustainably through evidence-based decision-making grounded in proven science research and data-driven analysis.
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