James H.I Weakley has been selected to be the next President of Lake Carriers' Association. He will succeed George J. Ryan when the latter retires after 20 years of service on January 15, 2003. Weakley will begin serving as President-Elect of LCA on October 1 to ensure an orderly succession.
"I am delighted to turn the helm over to Jim Weakley," said Ryan. "I have worked with him for more than 10 years and consider Jim ideally suited to represent U.S.-Flag shipping on the Great Lakes. He possesses both managerial and operational skills that, combined with his knowledge of the U.S. Coast Guard, will enable him to effectively and authoritatively represent the industry throughout the region and to our nation's leaders in Washington."
"As both a member of the Coast Guard and then private industry, I have held George Ryan in the highest regard," said Weakley. "He and his staff have made Lake Carriers' Association the premiere maritime trade association in the United States and I consider it a great honor and challenge to succeed him."
Weakley's maritime experience is extensive. A 1984 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, he sailed aboard the USCG Cutter MIDGETT as an Engineering Officer. His shoreside assignments in the Coast Guard included Pollution Response and Vessel Inspection, as well as Search and Rescue (SAR). In 1993, Weakley entered the private sector, joining The
Interlake Steamship Company as Personnel Director. During his career with Interlake, he advanced to the position of Operations Manager.
A member of the Coast Guard Reserve, Weakley was recalled to active duty in September 2001 and is a founding member of the Maritime Security Division for the Ninth Coast Guard District which covers the entire Great Lakes region.
Weakley has been awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, two Achievement Medals, a Humanitarian Service Medal and two National Defense Medals, as well as personal and unit awards.
Weakley earned a Masters of Business Administration from the Executive Program at Case Western Reserve University in 1999. He and his wife, Sally, live in Lakewood, Ohio.