MISNA Elects New Slate of Officers for 2001

At a recent meeting of their board of Directors in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Maritime Information Services of North America (MISNA) elected a new slate of officers for 2001. Stepping down as president after three consecutive terms is Capt. Manny Aschemeyer, executive director for the Marine Exchange of Los Angeles-Long Beach Harbor. Aschemeyer is a founding director for MISNA and has been responsible for bringing the organization through a new period of growth and industry outreach. Aschemeyer, a graduate of the California Maritime Academy, has had a long career within the maritime industry and holds an active Master Mariners License (unlimited). Before joining the Marine Exchange, Aschemeyer was vice president of customer service and marketing with Stevedoring Services of America. Before that, he served in various executive positions with Prudential-Grace Lines and Delta Steamship Lines.

Assuming the role of president at MISNA will be Capt. Ron Cartwright, president of the Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia. Cartwright has been in his present position since May of 1994 and has spent his entire working career in the maritime transportation industry, including 10 years at sea with the British Merchant Navy. Some of his accomplishments include his outstanding services as deputy secretary general for the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO). He represented BIMCO in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) deliberations, which included Maritime Safety, Environmental Protection, and development of standard EDI messages for use in the maritime industry.

Elected to serve as vice president for MISNA is Robert Bohlman, executive director of the Marine Exchange of Puget Sound, headquartered in Seattle, Wash. Bohlman is a graduate from the New York State Maritime College at Ft. Schuyler. He pursued a seagoing career with United Fruit Company from 1961 to 1972, after which he came ashore to assume a job as port captain and operations manager, with responsibilities in New York, San Francisco, Boston, and Seattle. In 1972, he accepted an appointment with Norton Lilly and opened a new office for that firm in Seattle. He was responsible for growing that business into two offices in Washington State, and later an additional one in Portland, Ore. In the late 1980,s he was promoted to vice president West Coast for Norton Lilly. In 1990, he was appointed senior vice president for Kerr Norton Marine. In 1999, he became executive officer director for the Marine Exchange of Puget Sound.

Elected to a fourth term, as board treasurer for MISNA is Elizabeth Wainwright, executive director for the Merchants Exchange of Portland Ore., since 1996. In addition to overall responsibility for running the Merchants Exchange, she also directs the Maritime Fire & Safety Association (MFSA) and Clean Rivers Cooperative (CRC). Through the Exchange she also serves on the boards of the Columbia River Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association, the Columbia River Steamship Operators Association, the Columbia River Shippers Association, the Portland Grain Exchange, the Portland Shipping Club, and the Propeller Club, Port of the Columbia River. Wainwright has over 20 years experience in the maritime industry, including 17 years with Lasco Shipping Company where she held numerous executive positions, including vice president and operations manager. Before joining the Merchants Exchange, Wainwright served on various industry boards and committees, including the Columbia River Steamship Operators Association and the state of Oregon Board of Maritime Pilots. She currently serves on the board of the World Trade Club. Wainwright is a graduate of Oregon State University.

Elected to serve as Board Secretary for this year is Lisa Himber, vice president for the Maritime Exchange, Delaware River and Bay, headquartered in Philadelphia, Penn. Himber was appointed to her current position in December 1995. Before that appointment, she served as director of operations and computer operations manager for the Maritime Exchange. Himber has been directly responsible for the identification, implementation and management of such maritime Exchange programs as: the port-wide computer and information network; membership recruitment and retention; industry workshops and seminars; government affairs and public policy discussions; communications and public relations; and organizational administrative policies and procedures. Her other accomplishments include the design, development and implementation of various port automation programs such as TRACS electronics U.S.Customs cargo systems; HAZMAT cargo tracking systems for U.S. Coast Guard; the Delaware River and Bay Vessel Traffic Information System; and the upcoming Ports project for the Delaware River and Bay. Himber has served on various boards and committees, including the National Association of Maritime Organizations, the American Association of Port Authorities and the Ports of Philadelphia Maritime Society. As an active member of the U.S. commercial maritime industry, Himber has made presentation to port communities across the country and in Washington, DC on various issues and projects related to international trade. Himber was recently named an Honorary Customs Officer by the local U.S. Customs District Director for her efforts to improve cargo-tracking procedures in that region.