Houston: Class society ABS has pulled off a major coup by securing the services of former US Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton, who occupied the top US maritime post from 2006 until his resignation with the recent changing of the guard in Washington. He will join the class society as Corporate Vice President for Government Affairs, effective February 17.
ABS says that in this newly created position, Connaughton will act as the society's primary liaison with national governments at senior levels, establishing and maintaining close working relationships with the principal executive and legislative bodies that influence maritime policy as it relates to safety and classification issues.
"Governments are playing an increasingly important role in our activities," said ABS Chairman and CEO Robert D. Somerville. "Legislative actions can affect the terms of reference under which we operate, as is currently the case with the new EC Directive and Regulation for Recognized Organizations. And governments are also important clients. We provide classification services for naval, military and other specialist government vessels and see promising opportunities to expand these relationships in the future.
"Having someone with Sean's intimate knowledge of government operations, diplomatic and legislative skills and experience, and close contacts with the maritime administrations of other nations from his time as the U.S. Maritime Administrator, will greatly strengthen our ability to work with governments as partners and clients," Somerville added. [12/02/09]
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