NR 02-09
CONTACT: Bryant L. VanBrakle, Secretary at (202) 523-5725.
FOR RELEASE: August 12, 2002
The Federal Maritime Commission announced today Steven R. Blust has assumed his duties as Chairman of the Commission.
On March 14, 2002, President Bush nominated Chairman Blust to the term on the Commission that expires on June 30, 2006. The Senate confirmed Chairman Blust on August 1, 2002.
A 31-year veteran of the international transportation industry, Steven R. Blust has held the position of President/CEO of Tampa Bay International Terminals, Inc. for the last 5 years. He previously held executive positions with Lykes Brothers Steamship Co., Inc. and prior management positions with the Jacksonville Port Authority and Crowley Delta Lines. His experience includes ocean carrier liner trade management, marine terminal management, public port administration, tariff and service contract use and publication, and liner operations.
Mr. Blust graduated, in 1971, from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY, and received a Master of Business Administration degree from Tulane University, in New Orleans, in 1979.
Mr. Blust received the United States Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association, Meritorious Alumni Service Award in 1991, and the Propeller Club of the United States, Maritime Person of the Year, Port of Tampa, award, in 2002.
An active member of trade associations, Mr. Blust has previously served as President of the Tampa Bay Cargo Association, Vice President of the Tampa Chapter of the Propeller Club, and was a member of the International advisory committees of Enterprise Florida, Tampa Chamber of Commerce and the Hillsborough County Community College. He has been involved in local Tulane and Merchant Marine Academy Alumni associations.
Mr. Blust and his wife, Sharon, have a son, Kristian, who is a student at the University of Tampa.
Mr. Blust stated that he is looking forward to his tenure as Chairman and working with his fellow Commissioners, the Commission’s staff and all of the various interests involved in the United States waterborne foreign commerce. Chairman Blust stated that he welcomes the opportunity to address the many challenging decisions facing the Commission arising from its wide range of responsibilities under the Shipping Act of 1984, as amended by the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998, as well as section 19 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, the Foreign Shipping Practices Act and other statutes administered by the Commission.
Chairman Blust also extends his sincere thanks to Hal Creel for his dedication and leadership as Chairman for the past 6 and one half years. Chairman Blust stated that he did an outstanding job in leading the Commission and has made it easy to follow him into the Chairman's position.