MARAD Administrator Nominee Given High Marks by Senate Panel

Published Aug 3, 2006 12:01 AM by The Maritime Executive

Last Thursday’s Senate Commerce Committee’s Confirmation Hearing involved testimony from five nominees for various executive branch posts. Among them was Sean T. Connaughton, President Bush’s nominee for the vacant U.S. Maritime Administrator’s post. The meeting, which lasted for about an hour, revealed no surprises and Connaughton is expected to be confirmed without difficulty by the full Senate.

Connaughton was nominated on June 28 to replace acting MARAD Chiefs John Jamian and Julie Nelson, both of whom have served in interim roles following the resignation of William G. Schubert in February 2005. Connaughton, 45, is the President’s second nominee for the MARAD post. His first choice, David Sanborn, had to be withdrawn; a casualty of the DPWorld firestorm.

Connaughton is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, a Coast Guard veteran and currently serves as chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors. Senator George Allen R-VA) praised him as being “Particularly well qualified for this position.” Connaughton said that he would work to reduce port congestion, improve the maritime industry’s environmental track record and foster maritime and port development.

The King’s Point graduate is also a maritime and environmental lawyer with the Washington firm of Troutman Sanders LLP. If confirmed as MARAD Chief, Connaughton would lead an agency with a budget of more than $500 million and nearly 1,000 people.