CONTACT – Bryant VanBrakle , Secretary (202)523-5725

FOR RELEASE – December 1, 2006

The Federal Maritime Commission bids a fond farewell to Bruce A. Dombrowski, who retired at the end of November.  Mr. Dombrowski served the Federal Maritime Commission in a highly distinguished and exemplary manner since joining the agency in 1973.  During his 33-year tenure, nineteen of them in the Senior Executive Service, he held a number of positions, working in nearly every unit of the agency as either a staffer or a manager. Most notably he held the positions of Acting Secretary , Deputy Managing Director, Executive Director, and  Director of Administration. His term in the Managing/Executive Director’s Office, as Deputy and later Director, was an unprecedented 18 years under Chairmen of both parties, which is a tribute to his executive acumen and managerial excellence. He also was, for an extended period, detailed as Counsel to the Chairman under then-Chairman Creel. He has held collateral duties as varied as Contracting Officer for the agency’s Automated Tariff Filing and Information System and Chief Financial Officer for the agency.

Mr. Dombrowski made numerous important contributions to the agency. Even a partial list of accomplishments is long, varied and remarkable in scope. He was nominated by the Commission and was a finalist for the William A. Jump Award for outstanding service in administration and notable contributions to the efficiency and the quality of public service. He was a prime mover in the agency’s effort to design a study on the impact of the Shipping Act of 1984 and to draft the 700-page Section 18 Report on the Shipping Act of 1984. He provided key leadership during the transition from the statutory regime of the Shipping Act of 1984 to the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998.  He also guided the agency during a period of significant budgetary decreases and staff downsizing, always ensuring that program, policy and administrative goals were met, even with reduced resources.  His counsel, advice and perspective were invaluable to numerous Chairmen and Commissioners. Mr. Dombrowski’s service was recognized with the award of the Commission’s Gold Medal, the highest honor the Commission can bestow.  The agency wishes Mr. Dombrowski the best of luck in the future.