ARLINGTON, VA – The members of the American Waterways Operators, the national trade association representing the tugboat, towboat and barge industry, elected a new slate of  leaders during AWO’s Spring Convention recently held in Washington, D.C. Buckley  McAllister, President, McAllister Towing, was elected as Chairman and Frank Morton, Director, Turn Services, LLC was elected as Vice Chairman. 

Mr. McAllister succeeds outgoing Chairman Linn Peterson, Kirby Inland Marine, LP. In his remarks to the membership, AWO President & CEO Tom Allegretti praised the leadership of Mr. Peterson during his term as Chairman. Mr. McAllister echoed those sentiments and added that “it is with a combination of admiration and respect that I have watched Linn lead AWO over the last year. During his tenure, he has had a steady and constant hand on the helm. He  has been cool, calm and deliberate…always keeping his eye on the course and heading of what's best for our industry overall.”

Mr. McAllister then addressed the members, focusing on one of the industry’s key characteristics – resilience. “I take to heart the message that we, as leaders of this industry, are entrusted with its success. This means we must work not only to ensure we achieve our immediate objectives, but we must also firmly establish a foundation from which the industry can continue to grow and prosper.”

Mr. McAllister cited the industry’s response to the low water crisis on the Mississippi River and the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy as recent examples of how the industry is able  to tackle challenges and come back stronger, acknowledging that “this is an industry of passionate leaders and dedicated professionals…you have proven your resilience time and again. Working together as a team, we can achieve much more together than we can individually. As for my role on this team, I will do my best to improve the resiliency of your trade association and industry for generations to come.”

Mr. McAllister will serve as AWO’s Chairman until April 2014.

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