New Merchant Marine Academy superintendent

Retired Army Col. James Helis will start next month as superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, the institution's fourth chief in as many years.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who announced the decision Monday, called Helis an "ideal fit."

"His extensive military and academic experience reflects the academy's mission of both training and educating its students to support our country's maritime needs, and I look forward to working with him to ensure a strong future for Kings Point," LaHood said.

James Tobin, president of the academy's Alumni Association and Foundation, said he fully supports the decision, adding he is "looking forward to having someone at the helm once again."

"Hopefully, he can provide the leadership this fine institution needs," Tobin said. "Just the fact we now have a leader at the top, that's a major victory right there."

In recent years, the 69-year-old academy, which prepares men and women to operate commercial ships and serve as active-duty officers, has faced challenges including $300 million in needed facility repairs, a proposed cut in federal funds and a string of superintendents.

Former NASA astronaut Capt. Mark E. Kelly was the keynote speaker at the June 18 commencement, when 219 midshipmen and midshipwomen graduated.

In a conference call Monday with reporters, officials said they are confident that Helis' academic and military background are what the academy needs to rectify its problems.

"I think at this point we need to take a look at the new strategic plan, which is going to be a good road map for the academy as we move ahead in the future," Helis said during the call.

Before retiring in 2009, Helis -- a master parachutist -- served in the Army for three decades, commanding numerous battalions and working as chief of plans for the NATO International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. He does not have a nautical background.

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) applauded Helis' appointment, noting that he had called on the Department of Transportation in April to appoint a permanent superintendent by the summer.

"The problems that occurred were mainly administrative and related to oversight and [Helis] has a very good background in that," Schumer said. "From every report I've gotten, he really cares about the academy and wants to turn it around."

A graduate of West Point and the University of Pennsylvania, Helis earned his doctorate at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. For the past eight years he has been a department chair at U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania.One of his sons, Ian, 18, will be a plebe in the academy's Class of 2016, beginning this summer.

Schumer asked for $3 million in additional funding for the academy this year, an overall increase from $77 million to $80 million. The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approved and included the increase in the appropriations bill, which has not yet reached the Senate floor.