Two names are in the running to become the new US maritime administrator, sources tell TradeWinds.
An appointment may not be made for some time, but former Trailer Bridge chief executive John McCown and Rear Admiral Mike Rodriguez are said to be under consideration to head the Department of Transportation (DOT) agency tasked with promoting the domestic maritime industry.
"A number of people have talked to me about it. It's certainly an interesting consideration, one that meets my passion and experience," McCown told TradeWinds.
"At this time, I have nothing else to add."
Rear Admiral Mark Buzby resigned as administrator after the riot at the Capitol in Washington DC this month.
He was replaced by Maritime Administration chief counsel Douglas Burnett until President Joe Biden appointed Lucinda Lessley deputy administrator on 21 January.
Lessley currently serves as acting administrator in lieu of a permanent appointment, which requires Senate approval.
McCown was chief executive of Trailer Bridge from 1995 until 2008. The Jacksonville, Florida company runs a container barge service linking Florida and the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico.
Rodriguez spent nearly two decades as an officer on board US-flag vessels after graduating from the Merchant Marine Academy.
He had previously served as deputy maritime administrator, worked with the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots and was superintendent of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy.
Rodriguez also sat on Biden's DOT transition team.
Charlie Papavizas, a partner at Winston & Strawn, expects the appointment to come from the Biden administration, not from the secretary of transportation, which is expected to be former South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttgieg.
"It wouldn't surprise me at all that the Biden people say we'll have people" for the various modes the DOT covers, Papavizas said.
"Nothing I have seen indicates that they're not in complete control."
Past getting Biden's cabinet approved by Congress, Papavizas said appointments for other positions could come at any time.
"They might prioritise cabinet secretaries ... but once they get past a certain level, I don't know," he said.
"Is it more important to get the undersecretary of trade and commerce than the maritime administrator? It could just be who gets through the vetting process quickest."
