Bush to nominate Connaughton as maritime administrator

Bush to nominate Connaughton as maritime administrator    President Bush said Tuesday he intends to nominate Sean T. Connaughton to U.S. maritime administrator, a Transportation Department position vacant since the start of the president’s second term.
   Connaughton works as counsel to law firm Troutman Saunders. He also serves as chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors in Virginia.
   Prior to this, Connaughton worked as an attorney at Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, and earlier as senior transportation associate for the American Petroleum Institute. He’s also a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
   If confirmed by the Senate, Connaughton will replace former Maritime Administrator William G. Schubert, who now serves as an industry consultant. Bush was forced to withdraw the nomination of David Sanborn to this post after the political firestorm earlier this year resulting from Dubai World Port’s attempts to acquire U.S. terminal operations of Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co. Sanborn now heads DP World’s new Americas regional office.
   Also vacant in the Bush administration is the deputy maritime administrator’s position. John Jamian resigned from this post on May 1 and now serves as the head of the newly formed Seaway Great Lakes Trade Association.