TVIB News Training

Welcome New TVIB Staff

Please join the rest of the staff and me in welcoming two new members to the TVIB team. Lori Gibson and Emily Hinojosa started with us just after the new year and work in our main office in the Houston area. They hit the ground running in their new positions as we recently held our first TVIB Talks of 2023 and are feverishly preparing for the upcoming Drydock/Internal Structural Examination Certification Course (DD/ISE) course, February 15-17. They have quickly become an asset and we are happy to have them on our team.


Lori Gibson has joined us as Training Coordinator.  In her role, Lori will lead the development of training opportunities for staff, TVIB members, and members of the public using learning tools such as online and traditional classroom training, webinars, podcasts, and a cloud-based learning management system (LMS). She will be collaborating with subject matter experts such as staff, our members, and U.S. Coast Guard personnel on the development of program materials. Lori will be working with the newly formed Professional Standards Committee (PSC) to develop the tools necessary to assess auditor and surveyor performance and develop curriculum to meet their needs.

Lori earned her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in English from the California State Polytechnic University of Pomona and brings 20 years of classroom experience with her. She has served as a master teacher to novice teachers and provided instructional support, classroom management, and engagement strategies to educators. Lori has facilitated and taught adult training and workshops. She considers herself a life-long learner and enjoys reading and learning about the newest research in best practices in instruction and technology integration.

Lori is married with two daughters and lives in a suburb of Houston. She is an animal lover and self-professed “cat lady.” Lori enjoys spending time with her family and dining out. In her free time, she likes to read, take walks, and binge watch her favorite shows or a good movie.


Emily Hinojosa has joined us as Training/Office Administrator. Emily will be coordinating our auditor and surveyor certification programs. She will manage all training and event coordination and registrations as well as conference/exhibit coordination. Emily brings with her an eye for design and will be spearheading our marketing efforts to advertise our training opportunities, strengthen our online presence using our website and social media channels, grow our FAQ page, and prepare print collateral.

Emily has worked primarily in retail management, most recently with The Home Depot, where she held roles in everything from Operations to Specialty Department Head. She has also worked in administrative roles in the construction, communications, and healthcare industries.

Emily was born in California but was a resident of Shreveport, Louisiana until she moved to Texas in 2016. She and her husband Johnny and son Myles Luka, along with their American bulldog Mack, live in a suburb of Houston where they recently purchased their first home. In her free time, she enjoys painting, volunteering at local shelters, cooking and baking, and spending time with family and friends.


Yes, Emily and Lori are both native Californians but as the saying goes “I wasn’t born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could.”

If you haven’t had the pleasure of speaking with them yet, please be sure to welcome them both when you get a chance, you will find their contact information on the Our Staff page on our website.

DON’T MISS OUT ON OUR UPCOMING TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES:

TRAINING: LAST CALL DD/ISE Nov 8-10 Virtual Course

Friday, November 4th is the last day to register and secure your spot in this year’s final 3-day virtual Drydock/Internal Structural Examination Certification course. Enjoy completing the course from your home or office. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to prepare yourself for success in 2023, reserve your seat today!

This three-day course will provide those surveyors who plan to conduct drydock and internal structural examinations of inspected towing vessels for compliance with Subchapter M tools, skills, and knowledge to complete these examinations and provides a path toward an industry-recognized credential.

Who should attend:

  • Marine surveyors
  • Naval architects/naval engineers
  • Coast Guard Marine Inspectors and Investigators
  • Shipyard personnel involved in vessel repairs
  • Port engineers
  • Survey program managers
  • Individuals who intend to conduct drydock and internal structural examinations of ITVs

Click here for a full course description and registration.

TVIB TRAINING: Last Drydock/Internal Structural Examination Certification Course for the Year – November 8-10

Register today to secure your spot in this year’s final 3 day Virtual Drydock/Internal Structural Examination Certification course. Enjoy completing the course from your home or office. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to prepare you for success in 2023, reserve your seat today!

Course Description:

Subchapter M requires all inspected towing vessels that have obtained a Certificate of Inspection (COI) to undergo a drydock and internal structural examination (DD/ISE) at least once for freshwater vessels and twice for saltwater vessels every five years.

This three-day course will provide those surveyors who plan to conduct drydock and internal structural examinations of inspected towing vessels for compliance with Subchapter M the tools, skills and knowledge to complete these examinations, and provides a path toward an industry-recognized credential. Pre-course online work is also required.

Following the successful completion of this course, individuals seeking to become credentialed DD/ISE surveyors must complete the application process and complete a practical demonstration of surveying skills, which may include a “check ride” with a certified TVIB Drydock/ISE Surveyor.

Individuals who do not intend to conduct drydock and internal structural examinations may attend the course to obtain a better understanding of what is entailed in these compliance activities.

Click here to Register – November 8-10