Chairman Steven R. Blust announced the appointment of Amy W. Larson as the General Counsel of the Federal Maritime Commission effective January 11, 2004. Mrs. Larson is currently an attorney in the agency's Office of the General Counsel. Mrs. Larson is originally from Milton, Mass., and is a graduate of Wheaton College in Norton, Mass., and Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. Prior to coming to the Commission, Mrs. Larson had maritime industry experience with a major NVO/freight forwarder. Mrs. Larson joined the Commission in 1993 as an attorney in the Office of the Secretary, with primary responsibility as a Special Dockets Officer, and in 1996, she began working in the Office of the General Counsel. Since joining the agency, Mrs. Larson has served with distinction in many capacities, including as the Commission's primary liaison with Congress as Acting Legislative Counsel, as Acting General Counsel, and as a special assistant to the Director of the Bureau of Trade Analysis.