(WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 14, 2008) – Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) Chairman Dan Mecklenborg announced today that an executive search has begun to identify a successor for R. Barry Palmer, WCI President/CEO, who has announced his intention to retire at the end of this year.
WCI’s Executive Committee has retained JDG Associates, Ltd., Rockville, MD, to conduct the national search for a successor for Palmer. A search committee to evaluate both internal and external candidates, led by Chairman Mecklenborg, has been organized and is composed of WCI Executive Committee members Rick Calhoun, President, Cargo Carriers; Mark Knoy, President, AEP MEMCO LLC; Merritt Lane, President and CEO, Canal Barge Company; Berdon Lawrence, Chairman of the Board, Kirby Corporation; Pete Lilly, President-Coal Group, CONSOL Energy Inc.; and Rodney Weinzierl, Executive Director, Illinois Corn Growers Association.
“It is nearly impossible to envision Waterways Council without Barry Palmer as its leader. Barry has been the face, as well as the heart and soul, of inland navigation advocacy for more than 25 years. While his colleagues and friends will wish him the very best in his upcoming retirement, it will seem like the end of an era without Barry at the helm of our organization,” said Mecklenborg. “Fortunately, Barry will be with us through the balance of 2008 and will assist in transitioning his successor into their new role. Additionally, WCI has an extremely talented staff that is poised to support Barry’s successor and advance the inland navigation mission going forward.”
