Chairman Mario Cordero
Chief of Staff: Mary T. Hoang
Counsel: Rachit J. Choksi
Senior Advisor – Legislative/Public Affairs: John K. DeCrosta
Contact
Phone: 202-523-5911
E-mail: mcordero@fmc.gov
Chairman Mario Cordero of Long Beach, California, was designated Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) by President Barack Obama on April 1, 2013. Prior to being designated Chairman, Mr. Cordero was nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate to serve as a Commissioner beginning June 3, 2011. He was reconfirmed on October 8th 2015, for a term set to expire on June 30, 2019. In his role as Chairman, Mr. Cordero brings with him over thirty years of private legal practice and decades of public service – including serving eight years on the Board of Harbor Commissioners for the Port of Long Beach (POLB)
Prior to serving at the federal level, Chairman Cordero was very active in the Long Beach maritime community. While a POLB Commissioner, beginning in 2003, Chairman Cordero spearheaded the Port of Long Beach’s pioneering Green Port Policy, a policy aimed at reconciling economic growth and environmental stewardship to achieve long-term, sustainable port development. He also served as President of the Port of Long Beach’s managing body
Concurrent with his leadership positions on the POLB, Chairman Cordero served on the Executive Board for the American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) Latin American delegation. In this role, he led efforts to develop policies for greater cooperation, increased trade, and joint growth across the combined North American and Latin American footprint.
Under his leadership, the FMC has undergone monumental change and received accolades from Congress, the Administration, and, most importantly, stakeholders, for its attentive and careful approach to facilitating solutions to several paramount issues. These issues have included concerns arising from container weight rules that affected cargo movement, new and unsubstantiated chassis fee proposals that affected the largest port complex in the United States, management of the PierPass program on the West Coast (designed to eliminate congestion and promote efficiency), and the international bankruptcy of South Korean carrier Hanjin.
Notably, in March 2016, Chairman Cordero was invited to testify in the United States Senate regarding the state of the United States maritime industry.
In 2015, the FMC received an award for being the 2015 Most Improved Small Agency, as part of rankings released by the Partnership for Public Service and Deloitte. The rankings are based on data from the Office of Personnel Management’s Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) and provided rankings in 14 categories. The Commission achieved positive gains in all categories, the most significant being in Effective Leadership (Empowerment), Strategic Leadership, Training and Development, and Support for Diversity. The recent 2016 FEVS results again indicate increased employee satisfaction.
On September 29, 2015, Chairman Cordero accepted the Connie Award from the Containerization & Intermodal Institute, given to those who have contributed to the evolution of the containerized shipping industry. Further, in August 2016, he received the prestigious Malcom McLean Award from the Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers, given in recognition of his efforts to be inclusive, encourage open dialogue on key issues affecting intermodal commerce, and put forth forward-thinking initiatives, which facilitated progress and partnership amongst the stakeholders at the Port of New York & New Jersey.
Chairman Cordero has taught political science at Long Beach City College. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Political Science from California State University, Long Beach, and his law degree from the University of Santa Clara.
Related News
Dec 06, 2016
Chairman Cordero Statement to AAPA XXV Latin American Congress of Ports
Chairman Cordero told the audience at AAPA XXV Latin American Congress of Ports that efficient ports are drivers of economic development that can help build value chains, and be beneficial in attracting business from ocean carriers seeking gateways with well developed landside transportation connections.
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Oct 12, 2016
Chairman Cordero's TOC Remarks
Chairman Mario Cordero attended the TOC Americas Conference in Cancun, Mexico where he spoke about the benefits of increasing trade between the United States and Latin America.
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Aug 02, 2016
Cordero Malcom McLean Award Acceptance Speech
Chairman Cordero was honored by the Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers as its 2016 Malcom McLean Award winner. In his remarks, Cordero commented on the legacy of the late Mr. McLean and the need for ports across the Nation to increase terminal productivity and efficiency.
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Jun 22, 2016
Cordero Says Facilitating Exports a Key Goal of FMC
Cordero addressed the Agriculture Transportation Coalition’s Annual Meeting, where he said achieving congestion mitigation at American ports and reducing obstacles to the efficient flow of export shipments are two important goals of the Federal Maritime Commission.
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May 23, 2016
Chairman Mario Cordero Statement on National Maritime Day
Chairman Cordero saluted our Merchant Marine for their dedication to furthering trade and security and noted that our Nation is dependent on oceanborne international trade, and the importance of assure our domestic ports and intermodal networks are sufficient to continue to bring benefits to American consumers and exporters.
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Apr 25, 2016
Chairman’s Statement on Earth Day
I am committed to continuing working with industry stakeholders on designing deliberate and responsible steps to cut carbon pollution to slow the effects of climate change.
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Apr 15, 2016
Cordero Addresses New England Regional Trade Group
Chairman Mario Cordero delivered a speech in Newport, Rhode Island to the Coalition of New England Companies for Trade (CONECT) in which he underscored the Commission’s concern for issues that impact shippers’ supply chains, but said the FMC cannot act with the benefit of facts and evidence of harm.
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Nov 02, 2015
Chairman Cordero’s Remarks at NAWE October 26, 2015
On October 26, 2015, Chairman Mario Cordero delivered a speech to the National Waterfront Employers Association, focusing on the FMC’s role in the reduction of congestion, the anticipated doubling of Asian imports over the next 10 years, and the importance of addressing stakeholder-reported inefficiencies with PierPass.
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Sep 25, 2015
Chairman Cordero Participates in U.S.-Japan Maritime Discussions
In conjunction with the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), Chairman Cordero led the FMC delegation at the U.S.-Japan Maritime Bilateral Meeting, the U.S.-Japan International Shipping Forum, and an industry meeting with the Japanese Shipowners' Association held in Tokyo, Japan, September 25, 2015.
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Oct 30, 2014
Chairman Cordero Addresses Maritime Administrative Bar Association
In his October 22, 2014 remarks before the Maritime Administrative Bar Association (MABA), Chairman Cordero discussed the depth and scope of several recently filed carrier alliances and vessel sharing agreements, port congestion and the FMC’s efforts to encourage discussion among industry stakeholders through its Public Forums, and the Commission’s recently published NPR proposing updates to the Commission’s Ocean Transportation Intermediary Rules.
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May 08, 2014
Valparaiso Sustainable Ports Seminar
Chairman Cordero spoke at Valparaiso’s Sustainable Ports Seminar on May 8, 2014, in Valparaiso, Chile. The seminar discussed the interconnected pillars of sustainability (environmental, economic, and social factors) and their application to issues within and amongst ports.
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Apr 08, 2014
Chairman Cordero Addresses 40th Annual NCBFAA Conference
In his remarks at the 40th Annual Conference of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA), Chairman Cordero shared that the Commission was considering a staff recommendation that could produce a more business-friendly set of proposed modifications to the Commission's OTI rules for further public comment in the near future.
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Feb 14, 2014
Chairman Cordero Addresses the 2014 Port Productivity Conference
As the conference featured speaker at the 2014 Port Productivity Conference, Chairman Cordero emphasized the need for cooperation, teamwork and preparation in meeting the challenges facing U.S. ports and noted the importance of looking “beyond the gates” to make sure other stakeholders such as local communities and organizations also have an opportunity to participate and help develop solutions.
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Nov 06, 2013
Chairman Cordero Addresses Sixth SeaCargo Americas Conference
In his address to attendees of the Sixth SeaCargo Americas Conference on November 6, 2013, The Chairman emphasized the need to review and discuss how international trade and transportation affect national economies in the Western hemisphere, and encouraged participants to "invest" in early consultation will all affected parties when planning and designing new port infrastructure projects.
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Oct 19, 2013
Chairman Cordero Remarks at 2013 Western Cargo Conference
At the 2013 WESCCON held, October 19, 2013, Charmian Cordero spoke on the Commission's responsibility to protect the public through licensing ocean transportation intermediaries and the proposals under FMC consideration for making this process more efficient and reliable.
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Oct 01, 2013
Chairman Cordero Participated in 2013 CONECT Round Table
Charmian Cordero introduced members of the Coalition of New England Companies for Trade (CONECT) to the work of the Commission and its mission to foster a fair, efficient, and reliable international ocean transportation system. He discussed the Commission's responsibility to protect the public through licensing ocean transportation intermediaries and the proposals under FMC consideration for making this process more efficient and reliable.
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Sep 18, 2013
Concern Expressed Over Impact of China’s New VAT
During its closed meeting today, the Commission discussed the People’s Republic of China’s new regulations on implementation of a nationwide value added tax (VAT) on international transportation services. This new tax was implemented by China on August 1, 2013.
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Apr 16, 2013
Chairman Cordero Testifies to Congress Regarding FY 2014 FMC Budget
On Tuesday, April 16, 2013, Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Mario Cordero presented the President's FY 2014 budget proposal for the Commission before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. Chairman Cordero's full testimony can be viewed at the above link.
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Oct 09, 2012
Commissioner Mario Cordero - Remarks at FIATA World Congress Los Angeles, CA – October 9, 2012
Thank you for your kind introduction. It is an honor to be here speaking to such a broad international organization as FIATA. As the only FMC Commissioner currently from the West Coast, it is a special pleasure to travel back to the great State of California and address the 2012 FIATA World Congress. Before I begin, please note that my comments here today are my own personal views and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Maritime Commission.
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Aug 10, 2012
Remarks of Commissioner Mario Cordero at Sala de las Americas, August 1, 2012
Thank you for your kind introduction. It is an honor to be here in Bogota addressing Sala Logistica De Las Americas. I have a great interest in international trade and the relationship between the United States and Latin America. I have been asked by the conference organizers to address the subject matter and role of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). Please note my comments today are my personal comments and do not necessarily reflect the views of the FMC.
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Aug 10, 2012
Remarks of Commissioner Mario Cordero at Sala de las Americas, August 1, 2012 (En Espanol)
Muchas gracias por su amable presentación, Es un honor para mí estar aquí en Bogotá dirigiéndome a ustedes en Sala Logística De Las Américas. Tengo un gran interés en el comercio internacional y la relación entre Estados Unidos y Latinoamérica. Los organizadores de esta conferencia me han solicitado que trate el tema y el rol de la Comisión Marítima Federal (FMC). Les agradezco que tengan en cuenta que mis comentarios de hoy son personales y no necesariamente reflejan los puntos de vista de FMC
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Mar 28, 2012
Remarks of FMC Commissioner Mario Cordero at Panama Week 2012
Thank you for inviting me to speak at Panama Week and for the kind introduction. The Federal Maritime Commission is responsible for regulating ocean borne transportation in the foreign commerce in the United States. My remarks today are my personal views and do not necessarily represent the views of the FMC. My association on environmental policy issues stems from my eight years as a Commissioner at the Port of Long Beach.
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Jan 30, 2012
Commissioner Mario Cordero's Remarks at the World LNG Fuels Conference in Houston, Texas on January 26, 2012
As you are all aware, there has been significant activity in the maritime community in the environmental arena, including advocating for the use and development of alternative fuels. The Federal Maritime Commission is an independent regulatory agency responsible for regulating ocean borne transportation in the foreign commerce of the United States. My remarks today are my personal views and do not necessarily represent the views of the FMC. My past association on environmental policy issues also stems from my previous experience as a Commissioner at the Port of Long Beach, by all accounts a global leader not only in containerization, but a leader as a Green Port.
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Jun 08, 2011
Commissioner Mario Cordero Joins the Commission
Mario Cordero of Long Beach, CA, has been sworn in as a Commissioner for a term to expire on June 30, 2014. Commissioner Cordero was nominated by President Barack Obama on September 17, 2010, and confirmed by the Senate on April 14, 2011.
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