In her role as Managing Partner, Locus founder Laura Burke oversees various executive functions including administering Maritime Pilots Institute, securing funding for equipment, creating and maintaining the budget, and negotiating contracts with a range of diverse marine industry stakeholders.

Laura honed her business acumen during her tenure working with large scale Federal and state grant projects. Her interest in the maritime industry stems from her upbringing as the daughter of a career Naval submarine officer in the shipyard and military town of Newport News, Virginia.