Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr. Resigns

Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr. [pictured above] has submitted his resignation as Chairman to President Barack Obama.

"It has been a great honor to serve as Chairman for the President’s first term and I am proud of the changes we have brought to our agency so it can better serve the American exporter, importer and consumer."

The FMC is an independent regulatory agency created in 1961 to oversee the foreign waterborne commerce of the United States. Over 95% of American foreign trade exits or enters the country on vessels that are virtually all foreign owned or flying a foreign flag.

Since becoming Chairman in September 2009, Chairman Lidinsky has had three major administration goals for the 128 person agency, which has its headquarters in Washington, DC and at major seaports around the country. The first goal was to "refocus" the Commission on giving a voice to American citizens, taxpayers and job creators during its deliberations; second was to eliminate unnecessary rules and red tape regulations that were particularly harmful to small businesses; third was to promote "greening" in American ports to help both the environment and employment.

"I am very pleased that the President will designate my colleague, Commissioner Mario Cordero of Long Beach, California, who joined the FMC in June 2011, as our next Chairman," Lidinsky said, "and I look forward as a Commissioner to continue working with him on these goals and new challenges during the President’s second term."

The change of leadership for the Commission takes place on Monday, April 1, 2013.

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President Barack Obama has designated Mario Cordero as the Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission. Mario Cordero joined the Commission as a Commissioner on June 3, 2011, having been nominated by President Obama on September 17, 2010, and confirmed by the Senate on April 14, 2011.

Prior to his appointment to the FMC, Chairman Cordero was an attorney in private practice and served eight years on the Board of Harbor Commissioners for the Port of Long Beach. Among the Port’s successful initiatives was the cutting edge Green Port Policy later to be nationally recognized. In addition, he also served as an adjunct professor of Political Science at Long Beach City College.

In taking on the new role, Mr. Cordero shared,"I am greatly honored that the President has named me Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission. I would also like to thank him for that honor, as well as my predecessor, Richard Lidinsky, both for his past leadership and his continuing dedication to the Commission. I look forward to continuing to work with my fellow Commissioners and the agency’s remarkable staff to accomplish the Commission’s important responsibility to the Nation: fostering a fair, efficient and reliable international ocean transportation system and to protect the public from unfair and deceptive practices."

Commissioner Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr., said, "I am very pleased that the President has designated my colleague, Commissioner Mario Cordero of Long Beach, California, who joined the FMC in June 2011, as our next Chairman, and I look forward as a Commissioner to continue working with him on these responsibilities and new challenges during the President’s second term."

Commissioner Rebecca F. Dye stated, "I am pleased that President Obama has named Mario Cordero as Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission. We have enjoyed a positive and professional working relationship during the past several years, and I look forward to serving with him, my Commission colleagues, and our capable staff."

Commissioner Michael A. Khouri said, "I congratulate Chairman Cordero on his appointment by President Obama. I have enjoyed a warm and collegial relationship with him since he joined the Commission in 2011 and I look forward to continuing that relationship with his new role as Chairman."

Commissioner William P. Doyle stated, "I look forward to working with the new FMC Chairman Mario Cordero, who is the Commission’s first Latino Commissioner and the first Latino Chairman. His background and experience will certainly help the Commission continue to move forward with U.S. initiatives, to include increasing exports, while also providing a unique perspective on international developments, such as the Panama Canal expansion project and Latin American trade. In 2012, U.S. merchandise exports to countries with which the United States has a trade agreement outpaced other markets nearly two to one. Notably, this included exports to Panama, Costa Rica, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Mexico. Again, I look forward to serving with Chairman Cordero."