Mike Toohey Tapped to Lead Waterways Council, Inc.

Washington, DC – It was announced today that Mike Toohey has been selected to become President and CEO of Waterways Council, Inc. by the organization’s Search and Executive Committees.  A special meeting of the WCI Board of Directors has been called for August 2, 2011 to formally consider his election to the organization’s presidency.  

With more than 30 years of federal government expertise, Mr. Toohey most recently served as Consultant with The Livingston Group’s Transportation, Shipbuilding, Shipping and Ports practice area.  Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Government Affairs for Ashland Inc., a global chemical, energy and construction company. During his 19 years with the Ashland, Mr. Toohey served as the principle representative to the federal government and also supervised state government relations for this Fortune 500 corporation. His responsibilities also included leadership positions as the Chair of the American Chemistry Council’s Federal Legislative Roundtable and Chairman of the Board of the American Highway Users Alliance, and board positions with WCI, and the Danny Thompson Memorial Foundation

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President George H. W. Bush nominated Mr. Toohey as Assistant Secretary of Transportation, where he served from 1992 to 1993 following confirmation by the United States Senate. Mr. Toohey also served as Staff Director for the Republican Staff of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation, and the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries during his 14-year tenure with the U.S. House of Representatives.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry from the University of California, Berkeley.

“On behalf of WCI’s membership, we are very pleased to welcome Mike Toohey as our organization’s next President and Chief Executive Officer,” said Rick Calhoun, Waterways Council, Inc. Chairman. “Mike’s vast industry and government affairs experience, leadership and strategic vision will serve us extremely well as we continue to move WCI and the inland navigation industry forward,” he continued.

Waterways Council, Inc. is the national public policy organization advocating a modern and well-maintained national system of ports and inland waterways.  The group is supported by waterways carriers, shippers, port authorities, shipping associations and waterways advocacy groups from all regions of the country. On the WEB: www.waterwayscouncil.org.