PETER J. FINNERTY, died suddenly in February, 2007. Pete worked as Chief, Division of Operations Support for MARAD. He was a standout among Fort Schuyler grads, strong supporter of the USCG Foundation and countless other endeavors - personal and professional, that supported the US maritime industries. His enthusiasm and Irish smile will be missed.
'O Danny Boy ...
From today's American Shipper ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Industry recalls Finnerty contributions
February 12, 2007
Leading shipping industry figures are praising the life and career of Peter Finnerty, the highly regarded Washington advocate for maritime interests who helped shape landmark shipping laws from the Shipping Act of 1984 and subsequent reforms to the Maritime Security Program and the changing role of the U.S. Merchant Marine.
Finnerty died Feb. 8 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. after suffering a heart attack in his home there. He was 64.
Finnerty was president of American Ocean Enterprises Inc. and American International Car Carrier Inc. at the time of his death, but was best known for his long career with Sea-Land, where he was vice president of government affairs, a position he also held for CSX Corp., which owned Sea-Land until selling the powerhouse steamship line to A.P. Moller Maersk in 1999.
"Peter was in my view the leading advocate for Sea-Land and all U.S.-flag interests from the 1970s through the present," said Ray Ebeling, president of American Roll-on/Roll-off Carriers, who is a former Sea-Land executive. "He was a key player in everything from the Shipping Act to the Maritime Security Program to the Jones Act and all the policy that supports U.S.-flag shippers. He was right at the forefront."
While Finnerty was clearly an industry pioneer who worked closely with executives from Malcom McLean to the current management of companies involved in the Maritime Security Program, colleagues interviewed by American Shipper praise Finnerty for his personal integrity, energy, and selfless promotion of overall shipping industry interests.
"Peter was a great representative not just for one company, but for the industry," said Chris Koch, president and chief executive officer of the World Shipping Council, whose career also includes time on Capitol Hill, the Federal Maritime Commission, and as counsel for Sea-Land -- all of which included interaction and associations with Finnerty. "Peter made everybody in the industry look good and he made the industry look good."
"He was professional. He was never, ever mean spirited or spiteful. He had a great twinkle in his eye and a large heart and was an exceptionally effective advocate for the industry."
Finnerty was active in industry affairs right up until the end, taking part a week before his death in a meeting of the Maritime Sealift Committee, held at the Arlington, Va. offices of Maersk Line Ltd., the Norfolk, Va.-based, U.S.-flag arm of A.P. Moller-Maersk that provides international transportation services for U.S. government agencies and their prime contractors.
"The thing I found incredible about Peter was his knowledge of how the government worked, how U.S.-flag operations worked, and his knowledge of the total industry," said Bill Kenwell, senior vice president and chief commercial officer of Maersk Line Ltd. "He knew the needs of customers and how to support the military. He was a mentor to people in the industry, and if you needed to know something or were new to Washington, Peter was a wonderful teacher."
Finnerty's impact covered a wide range of interests in the industry and around Washington.
"Peter Finnerty was a great American. He was a hard worker and a staunch supporter of the U.S. Merchant Marine," said Michael Sacco, the long-time president of the Seafarers International Union of North America. "He was a tremendous, tireless spokesman for our industry, and it goes without saying he'll be missed."
Added Congressman Howard Coble, a North Carolina Republican on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee who worked with Finnerty on shipping industry issues over the years: "Whenever I had questions about maritime issues, I would often turn to Peter Finnerty for answers. I knew that the information I was receiving from Peter was accurate, honest and straightforward. Those qualities also describe Peter. He was a class act, and he will be sorely missed."
Jim Henry, chairman and president of the Transportation Institute, a Washington-based non-profit organization devoted to research and promotion of U.S.-flag maritime interests, said, "Many laws that affect the merchant marine are a result of Peter's efforts," adding, "Peter made a difference in whether or not we will have U.S.-flag merchant marine in future years."
Ebeling said Finnerty was an adept communicator who was especially good at explaining complex maritime issues to people from outside the industry.
"He was an extremely good communicator, both verbally and in writing, who could present things in language that people who don't know the industry could understand -- and that's not easy," Ebeling said. "He could explain why we need a Jones Act, or why the Maritime Security Program works better with private sector vessels instead of using vessels built and maintained full time by the military."
Among others who are considered pioneers of the modern shipping industry, Finnerty was respected and admired.
Ken Johns, president of R.K. Johns & Associates and a former Sea-Land president, recalled Finnerty as "a solid, dedicated professional who came up though all the stages. He was a solid family man, a pioneer in the industry, who was a very good friend who had a lot of friends in this industry."
Paul Richardson, another former Sea-Land president who is president of Paul F. Richardson Associates Inc., described Finnerty as "kind of ageless," and "someone who had a great view of the industry, a great perception, a very positive person who was always constructive."
Observed Richardson: "You don't replace a Peter Finnerty in the industry. There aren't any others."
Finnerty is survived by his wife, Tory, and grown children Peter, Will, Michael and Kate.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Joseph Gawler's Sons Funeral Home, 5130 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington (202) 966-6400.
Tentative plans included a Funeral Mass Thursday at Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown.
FMSAA