Tim Barelli

Tim Barelli serves as Head of Americas at Quartermaster AI, leading Western Hemisphere expansion of SmartMast™ — a distributed, persistent, AI-enabled, real-time maritime sensing network that closes critical awareness gaps for government and commercial partners. Prior to Quartermaster, he founded and led a boutique consulting firm advising early-stage, dual-use technology companies at the intersection of national security and ocean innovation, supporting high-growth teams deploying disruptive maritime solutions worldwide. Tim retired from the U.S. Coast Guard after more than 26 years of service. His final assignment was Sector Commander and Captain of the Port of San Diego, where he led maritime safety, security, environmental protection, and homeland security operations across Southern California. A rescue helicopter pilot with more than 3,400 flight hours, Tim executed thousands of defense, humanitarian, and search-and-rescue missions and is credited with saving more than 180 lives at sea. He is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and holds master’s degrees from Georgetown University, Colorado School of Mines, and the National War College. He also served as Professor of Practice at UC San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy.