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Campbell Transportation names Kyle Buese as President & CEO
Since joining Campbell in 2019, Buese has played a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth and navigating challenges with dedication and strategic focus. Peter Stephaich, previously serving as CEO, will now transition to the role of Executive Chairman, where he will continue to support the company’s long-term vision and values.
Hornblower appoints Kelley SVP Financial Planning & Analysis
Hornblower Group announced that Cyrus Kelley has joined the company as Senior Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis. Reporting to Chief Financial Officer Frank Dunsford, Kelley will lead the company’s financial strategy, overseeing budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Liberty University and will join Hornblower Group’s executive team in its Orlando, FL office.
ABS Reports Growth, Positive Safety Performance
The annual ABS Advisory Council Meeting included presentations from the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD).
From ABS Chairman & CEO Christopher Wiernicki, Council members also heard how ABS has continued to hold the number one position in global orderbook share and has grown the existing ABS-classed fleet to 298 million gross tons, with more than 11,500 assets. The discussion included insights into next-generation vessel designs, clean energy initiatives, the role of retrofitted carbon capture and energy efficiency technologies, cybersecurity and the availability and scalability of fuels.
Peter Coxon is new ACBL CEO
American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) has announced the appointment of Peter Coxon as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Coxon joined the ACBL Board of Directors earlier this year, bringing decades of experience leading multiple businesses and corporate functions in marine logistics and vessel construction, energy marketing and logistics, renewable fuels, refining and marketing.
AAPA Welcomes New Board Leadership for 2024-2025
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) in November announced its newly elected Board of Directors and officers who will serve for the 2024-2025 term. These port leaders, representing a diverse range of expertise and regions, will guide AAPA’s efforts to advance the maritime and port industries. The elections occurred October 28 during AAPA’s 113th Annual Convention in Boston, MA.
The newly elected officials include Chair of the Board Chett Chiasson, Executive Director, Greater Lafourche Port Commission (GLPC), Vice-Chair of the Board Richard Hendrick, CEO, Albany Port District Commission, Stephen Edwards, CEO, Port of Virginia, Kristine Zortman, Executive Director, Port of Redwood City, Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority and Steve Ribuffo, Director, Port of Alaska.
Chicago Propeller Club wins International Chapter of Year Award
Chicago Propeller Club celebrated being named International Propeller Club of the Year at its latest event. Guests from across the Great Lakes and Mid West maritime industry gathered for the reception, a Chicago River cruise aboard club sponsor Wendella Cruises vessel the Iris. Club President Chris Carr, managing partner of SBSB Eastham law firm, said winning the title at the International Convention in Tampa, just a year after restarting the club, following a 15-year hiatus, is due entirely to the support of members and sponsors. On a bittersweet evening, the club also paid tribute to one of its best-known members Aaron Bensinger, the VP of Central Marine Logistics who died aged 48 on October 1. CML’s President Captain Tim Wiater gave a moving address remembering 20 years of working with Aaron.
NAWE names Carl Bentzel Next President
TThe National Association of Waterfront Employers (NAWE) Board of Directors announced that the Honorable Carl Bentzel has been elected to serve as the association’s new president, effective December 16, 2024. As part of this role, he will also serve as the Executive Director of the National Maritime Safety Association (NMSA). Bentzel is currently serving his first term as a Commissioner at the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), which he commenced in December 2019, after having been nominated by President-elect, Donald Trump and subsequently re-nominated by President Joseph Biden in July of this year. For over thirty years, Mr. Bentzel contributed and influenced maritime policy and issues related to the nation’s supply chain. For his efforts on maritime security, the U.S. Coast Guard awarded him the U.S. Coast Guard’s medal for Meritorious Public Service.
NWF commissions Waterways Study
The National Waterways Foundation (NWF) has commissioned a study just released by the Eno Center for Transportation titled “Benefits and Beneficiaries of the Nation’s Inland Waterways.” Today’s commercially navigable inland waterways system, under the supervision of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other federal agencies, extends almost 12,000 miles and transports more than 500 million tons of goods annually, including bulk, oversize, and overweight commodities. The Eno study explores the multitude of beneficiaries of the U.S. inland waterways system that are not related to commercial operators’ use of the inland waterways for transportation. The inland waterways yield significant societal benefits in a variety of areas, and using case studies, the Benefits and Beneficiaries of the Nation’s Inland Waterways study describes 14 benefit areas derived from federal support for inland waterways, grouped into three categories; Economic development, Energy and sustainability, and Safety, security, and resiliency.
Shaver Transportation’s Karneus Retires, to be succeeded by Bo McCall
Peter Karneus is retiring after twenty-seven years from Shaver Transportation, during which time he has been instrumental in ship assist sales, and navigating the changes in the tug and barge industry in the Pacific Northwest. Bo McCall started in the marine industry as an agent for Norton Lilly in Long Beach, California. In 2008, he relocated to Portland, Oregon with Norton Lilly and later moved to Southport as a Shipping Agent. In 2015, he was promoted to Sales Manager for Foss Maritime and oversaw tug operations and sales for the Pacific Northwest. Bo joined Shaver October 15th, 2018 as Director of Business Development.
Port of New Orleans Appoints Ann Branch as Port NOLA President & CEO
In November, Port NOLA appointed Beth Ann Branch President & Chief Executive Officer and CEO of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB), effective Dec. 1, 2024. Branch brings with more than 20 years of experience in the transportation and logistics industry. She replaces Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Ronald Wendel Jr. Branch and joins Port NOLA from the Alabama Port Authority in Mobile, where she has served as Chief Commercial Officer since 2021. Beth received a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina.
Bethann Rooney named 2025 Person of the Year by NYNJFFFBA
Bethann Rooney, Port Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, has been named the 2025 Person of the Year by the New York/New Jersey Foreign Freight Forwarders and Brokers Association (NYNJFFFBA). She will receive the award at the association’s 107th Annual Dinner Gala, scheduled for February 6, 2025 in New York City. The NYNJFFFBA’s Person of the Year Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the global trade, logistics, and transportation industries. Over the course of her 32-year career, Ms. Rooney has emerged as a leader in port operations, maritime transportation, and global logistics.
Crowley Announces Cal Maritime Recipients of Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarship
California State University Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime) deck cadets Jake Jacobsen and Jan Johnson have been awarded Crowley’s Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarships. The scholarship recognizes the cadets' success and their dedication to a career in the maritime industry. Jacobsen, entering his final year at Cal Maritime, is studying marine engineering technology. A junior, Johnson is studying mechanical engineering and is set to graduate in 2026 with a merchant mariner credential. The Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarship program was established in 1994 by his son and CEO and chairman, Thomas B. Crowley Jr. The memorial scholarship commemorates and honors his father’s instrumental leadership and accomplishments for the company and maritime industry.
Pamela Maxwell is Newest Addition to IRPT Staff
Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals (IRPT) in November welcomed Pamela Maxwell as the Assistant Program Director of the We Work the Waterways staff. Mrs. Maxwell comes to IRPT from Delta State University, where she served as an adjunct professor within the department of education, leadership, and research.
