U.S. DOT names new members to marine advisory committee

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the appointment of 29 new members to the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Committee.    The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on Tuesday announced the appointment of 29 new members to the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Committee (MTSNAC).
   Established in 2010, the MTSNAC is comprised of leaders from commercial transportation firms, ship construction, repair and recycling, trade associations, state and local public entities, labor organizations, academics and environmental groups that advise the DOT secretary and the Maritime Administration on policies to ensure that the U.S. marine  transportation system is capable of responding to projected trade increases.
   The advisory committee provides advice on issues such as implementing short sea transportation. MTSNAC policy recommendations were helpful in getting Congress and DOT to include maritime infrastructure in surface transportation policy and the improvement and streamlining of the Title XI ship financing process.
   Eleven MTSNAC members remain from the last term. Committee members serve two-terms, with no more than two consecutive term re-appointments, and approximately one-third of members’ terms of office expire every two years.  
   Several nominees publicly announced their selections earlier this month, but the DOT didn’t provide a complete list of committee members until Tuesday.
   The new members are: 
     • Gary Adams, Vice President Global Logistics, Walmart Stores Inc.;
     • Robert Berry, Vice President, International Shipbreaking Limited, LLC;
     • Gary Brown, Vice President Port Sales, Genesee & Wyoming – Coastal Region;
     • Molly Campbell, Director, Port Commerce Department, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey;
     • Gregory Faust, Director of Operations, Department of Transportation – Washington State Ferries Division;
     • Peter Ford, Chief Strategy Officer, Ports America;
     • John Graykowski, Principal, Maritime Industry Consultants;
     • Bill Hanson, Vice President, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, LLC;
     • Daniel Harmon, Director, Maritime Division, Texas Department of Transportation;
     • Susan Hayman, Vice President, Health, Safety, Quality & External Affairs, Foss Maritime Company;
     • Jared Henry, Vice President – U.S. Government Trade, Hapag-Lloyd USA, LLC;
     • Tim Hinkley, Senior Vice President – Global Logistics, Hasbro Inc.;
     • Jim Kruse, Director, Center for Ports & Waterways, Texas A&M Transportation Institute;
     • Gary LaGrange, President & Chief Executive Officer, Port of New Orleans;
     • Griff Lynch, Chief Operating Officer/Incoming Executive Director, Georgia Ports Authority;
     • Jim Pelliccio, President & CEO, Port Newark Container Terminal;
     • William Pennella, Vice-Chairman and Executive Vice President, Crowley Maritime Corporation;
     • Torey Presti, President, National Shipping Agencies, Inc.;
     • Jonathan Rosenthal, Principal, Saybrook Corporate Opportunity Funds;
     • Scott Sigman, Transportation & Export Infrastructure Lead, Illinois Soybean Association;
     • Anne Strauss-Weider, Director, Freight Planning, North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority;
     • Capt. Richard Suttie, Executive Director, University Advanced Partnership Initiative, Center for Homeland Security and Defense, Naval Postgraduate School;
     • John Townsend, Maritime Systems Specialist, Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc.;
     • Dr. Thomas Wakeman III, Research Professor, Stevens Institute of Technology;
     • Robert Wellner, Executive Vice President, Liberty Global Logistics LLC;
     • Thomas Wetherald, Director of Business Development and Strategic Planning, General Dynamics-NASSCO;
     • Lisa Wieland, Port Director, Massachusetts Port Authority;
     • And Brian Wright, President & Chief Executive Officer, Owensboro Riverport Authority.