Freedom Ship Project Team and Collaborators

Roger M. Gooch

CEO & Director

Roger M. Gooch is the CEO and Director of Freedom Cruise Line International and the driving force behind the long-term development of the Freedom Ship project.

For more than three decades, Mr. Gooch has led the vision of creating a self-sustaining, ocean-going community designed to travel the world while integrating residential, commercial, and hospitality environments at an unprecedented scale. His leadership has been defined by persistence, strategic direction, and a sustained commitment to advancing the project through changing economic, technical, and market conditions.

Mr. Gooch began his career in business, finance, and insurance, developing a strong foundation in risk management, construction, and marine-related operations. In 1978, he founded AIM Insurance Agency, building it into a successful commercial firm before selling the company to focus on real estate investment and larger-scale ventures.

He later founded Travel Access International, a corporate travel agency serving statewide accounts, which he also successfully developed and exited. Since the mid-1990s, Mr. Gooch has dedicated his efforts to the advancement of Freedom Ship, guiding its evolution from an initial concept into a structured development initiative supported by a global network of architects, engineers, and strategic partners.

As CEO and Director, his role centers on leadership, continuity, and long-term stewardship—ensuring that the original vision continues to evolve into a viable, scalable, and realizable project.

Robert H Pflueger

President

Robert H. Pflueger serves as President of Freedom Cruise Line International, bringing decades of legal, administrative, and operational experience to the development of the Freedom Ship project.

A practicing attorney since 1981, Mr. Pflueger has built a long-standing career in private law, providing counsel across a range of business, contractual, and regulatory matters. His legal background forms a critical foundation for the structural and organizational framework of Freedom Ship.

Over the past decade, Mr. Pflueger has been actively involved in the project, contributing to its administrative coordination, legal oversight, and strategic development. His role has been central to maintaining continuity and supporting the advancement of the initiative through complex legal, regulatory, and organizational challenges inherent to a project of this scale.

As President, he works closely with project leadership and partners to ensure that the Freedom Ship initiative is supported by a disciplined, structured, and legally sound foundation.

E. Kevin Schopfer AIA, RIBA

Chief Design Architect / Master Planner

E. Kevin Schopfer is the Chief Design Architect and Master Planner of the Freedom Ship project and the founder of Schopfer Associates, an internationally recognized design consulting firm specializing in architecture, urban design, and complex large-scale developments.

With a multidisciplinary practice spanning architecture, interior design, product design, and luxury yacht design, Mr. Schopfer has developed a body of work focused on integrated environments and future-oriented urban systems. His portfolio includes large-scale master planning initiatives, mixed-use developments, and innovative design solutions across both land-based and maritime contexts.

Over the past two decades, Mr. Schopfer has concentrated on the development of floating architecture and maritime urban environments, a body of work he has defined as “BLUland” — Floating Architecture and Urban Design. This research explores new models for urban growth in response to rising sea levels, climate adaptation, and increasing global population density.

His work in this field represents a long-term exploration of how cities can extend beyond traditional land constraints into the marine environment. The Freedom Ship project stands as the most comprehensive realization of this vision—bringing together architecture, infrastructure, and mobility into a single, continuously evolving urban system at sea.

Stefan Vittori

Project Experience

Stefan Vittori, CEO of DCC-X LLC, is an investor in the Freedom Ship project and an entrepreneur with more than three decades of experience at the intersection of design, technology, and real estate development.

Educated at the Technical University of Vienna, Austria, Stefan began his career in the early 1990s as part of the early generation advancing architectural visualization into digital 3D environments. He recognized early that visualization is not only a creative discipline, but a critical tool for decision-making, communication, and project viability.

He went on to lead visualization teams in Europe and the United States and became a founding partner of solus4, an international architecture, interior, and planning design group. As COO and Managing Principal (2010–2015), he contributed to global design competitions and large-scale concepts including the Busan Opera House and the Marine Research Center in Bali.

In 2003, Stefan founded Tangram 3DS, building it into a long-standing company serving developers, architects, and global design firms. Under his leadership, the company has evolved alongside major technological shifts—from early 3D to real-time visualization, immersive environments, and AI-driven workflows—while maintaining a strong focus on execution and client value.

Since 2008, Stefan has worked closely with E. Kevin Schopfer on floating architecture concepts, superyacht developments, and large-scale urban proposals such as the Amulet of Mumbai, contributing to the translation of complex, future-oriented ideas into clear and communicable solutions.

Within the Freedom Ship initiative, Stefan contributes as both investor and lead for digital experience, shaping how the project is presented and understood across stakeholders with a focus on clarity, credibility, and engagement.

Prof. Patrick Fernandez, PhD, FRACI, CChem

Materials & Chemical Systems

Materials & Chemical Systems

Prof. Patrick Fernandez, PhD, FRACI, CChem, contributes to the Freedom Ship project with over three decades of experience in chemistry, materials science, and radiation technologies.

Based in Singapore, he is a Chartered Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and has developed a career focused on the application of scientific principles within industrial and engineering contexts. His work includes materials quality testing, chemical formulation, and radiation safety across a range of sectors.

Prof. Fernandez has been involved in scientific and technical advisory roles supporting projects in healthcare, advanced materials, and engineering systems. He has also established and led technology-focused ventures, including a joint venture with a Nasdaq-listed company.

Within the Freedom Ship initiative, he contributes expertise in materials performance and safety considerations, supporting the evaluation of long-term durability, environmental exposure, and operational safety in a large-scale maritime environment.

Sophie Bochot

Scientific Systems & Applications

Sophie Bochot is Managing Director of Pacific-Tec Scientific Pte Ltd, based in Singapore, with more than thirty years of experience in scientific and technology-based systems.

As founder and Managing Director, she has led projects involving government agencies and multinational organizations, with a focus on technical consultancy, implementation, and long-term operational support.

Her work includes applications across oil and gas, marine, environmental, security, and medical sectors, with an emphasis on translating complex technologies into reliable, practical solutions. She has developed particular expertise in radiation technologies, X-ray analysis, and security systems.

Through her experience working with international partners, including within the nuclear and scientific communities, she brings a strong understanding of coordinating technical requirements across different operational environments.

Within the Freedom Ship project, Sophie contributes to the integration of advanced systems and strategic collaborations, supporting the development of a resilient, future-ready floating community.

Peter Z. Banas

Director of Security

Peter Z. Banas is Director of Security for the Freedom Ship project, bringing decades of experience in military service, federal law enforcement, and operational leadership.

Mr. Banas began his career in the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1966 to 1970, including active duty in the Republic of Vietnam as an infantryman. During his service, he was part of a unit awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.

Following his military service, Mr. Banas joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where he served from 1970 to 1998. His work focused on counterintelligence and counterterrorism investigations, including ten years in a supervisory role directing a Special Operations Group responsible for complex operations.

Since joining the Freedom Ship team, Mr. Banas contributes his extensive background in security and operations, supporting the project in addressing the challenges associated with a large-scale, continuously operating maritime environment.

His role brings a disciplined and experienced perspective to the security considerations of the Freedom Ship initiative.

Dr. Sridev Mookerjea

Director of Project Management

Dr. Sridev Mookerjea brings extensive experience in maritime leadership, project management, and international business operations to the Freedom Ship project.

A Chartered Engineer in both the United Kingdom and India, Dr. Mookerjea holds a Professional Doctorate and an Honorary Industrial Doctorate in Global Leadership. He is a fellow and member of several leading professional institutions, including ICS, IMarEST, RINA, IMechE, SNAMES, and the Singapore Nautical Institute, and is also a certified QMS 2008 Lead Auditor (UK) with an MBA from the United Kingdom.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Mookerjea has served in senior executive roles including CEO, Managing Director, General Manager, and Project Manager across multinational organizations, with a focus on acquisitions, joint ventures, and corporate turnarounds. He has also been invited to participate in the World Economic Forum and has been recognized in the International Who’s Who of Professionals.

He is the Chairman and Group Managing Director of Blossom Group, where he has led shipping, offshore, and maritime industry project management operations since 2003. He also serves as President and Chairman of several international professional organizations and has previously been a shareholder and director of a domestic airline in India.

Within the Freedom Ship initiative, Dr. Mookerjea contributes his experience in managing complex, large-scale maritime and organizational projects.

Muliadi Kasim

Naval Architect

Muliadi Kasim serves as Naval Architect for the Freedom Ship project, with over ten years of experience in marine industries, including shipbuilding and oil and gas projects.

His work includes engineering design, fabrication drawings, and technical calculations related to material take-offs, cutting plans, steel weight, hydrostatics, stability, and lifting plans. His experience supports the development of practical, buildable solutions within complex marine environments.

With a focus on naval architecture, Mr. Kasim contributes to the technical aspects of the project, supporting the development of structural and marine systems for a large-scale maritime application.

Eric Chia

Technology Infrastructure

Eric brings more than 35 years of experience in software development, web technologies, and internet-based business systems. Over the course of his career, he has founded and operated multiple technology ventures and has been involved in digital initiatives since the early development of the commercial internet.

In the early 2000s, Eric worked as a Chief User Interface Designer and consultant for healthcare insurance and pharmaceutical organizations. During this time, his company developed an internet-based electronic medical record (EMR) system for rural hospitals, which was later acquired by another healthcare software firm.

Eric holds a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from the University of Bradford (UK).

He is currently involved in technology ventures including HypeU and Virtusx, focusing on digital platforms and artificial intelligence applications.

Within the Freedom Ship initiative, Eric contributes to the project’s underlying technology direction and digital systems.

Vision
Design Principles

Vision
Technology and Infrastructure

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Origins

Vision
Life On Board