The members of the American Waterways Operators (AWO), the national trade association for the American tugboat, towboat and barge industry, elected Mr. Royce C. Wilken as Chairman and Mr. H. Merritt Lane as Vice Chairman on Friday, April 20 during the AWO Spring Convention in Washington. Mr. Wilken is President of American River Transportation Co. (ARTCO), headquartered in Decatur, IL, and served as vice chairman for the past year. Mr. Lane is President and Chief Executive Officer of Canal Barge Company, Inc., headquartered in New Orleans, LA. Wilken, in his remarks to the AWO Board of Directors following his election as chairman, explained his priorities for the coming year.