Transportation Secretary Swears in New SLSDC Administrator

October 12, 2006

Washington, D.C., October 12, 2006 – Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters swore in Collister (“Terry”) Johnson, Jr. as the Administrator of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC).

Together with Canada’s St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, the SLSDC jointly operates and markets the binational Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway waterway that provides global market access to and from North America’s manufacturing and agricultural heartland.  The SLSDC, one of ten agencies within the Department, operates and maintains the two U.S. locks in Massena, N.Y., on the Nation’s northern border.

“Terry’s maritime and trade development experience will help increase traffic on this vital maritime corridor,” said Peters.

Johnson has served previously as President and Chief Executive Officer of FastShip Atlantic, Incorporated and as Chairman of the Virginia Port Authority.  His most recent post has been as Senior Management Consultant at Mercer Management Consulting, Inc.  In 2002, he was appointed a Member of the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.

“I pledge to work closely with Secretary Peters, our stakeholders in government and industry, as well as citizens representing diverse interests, to deliver an improved waterway benefiting everyone.”

“Transportation is vital for a healthy economy and the maritime portion has a critical role to play in relieving surface congestion, in cutting fuel imports, in reducing unwanted air emissions,” Johnson said.

Johnson becomes the ninth Administrator in the Corporation’s history, succeeding Albert Jacquez.  Seaway Administrators by statute may serve a seven-year term of duty.

A New York native, he received a B.A. degree in American Studies from Yale University, and a law degree from the University of Virginia.  He lives in McLean, Virginia, with his wife, Elizabeth.