Blust Assumes Duties as Chairman of FMC

The Federal 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. Blust graduated, in 1971, from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y., and received a Master of Business Administration degree from Tulane University, in New Orleans, in 1979. 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.