Leading Executives in Lake and River Shipping

Jim Athanasiou

President & Chief Executive Officer, St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (Canada)

Took over as President & CEO on July 12, 2024; credited with negotiating SLSMC’s new 20‑year Management, Operation and Maintenance Agreement and now oversees the Canadian side of the binational Seaway system.

Organization page | Partner agency (U.S.) media contact

Mark W. Barker

President, The Interlake Steamship Company

Second‑generation leader who oversaw construction and delivery of the M/V Mark W. Barker, the first U.S.-flag Great Lakes bulk carrier built on the Lakes since 1983, a milestone for the region’s shipbuilding and sustainability push.

Company page | Vessel profile (first new U.S.-flag Great Lakes laker since 1983)

Greg Binion

Chief Executive Officer, Rand Logistics (Grand River Navigation, Lower Lakes Towing, American Steamship Company)

40+ year maritime veteran appointed interim CEO in September 2024 and elevated to lead Rand’s post‑Andrie integration and refinancing to accelerate growth across U.S. and Canadian Great Lakes trades.

Company leadership page | News release

Bick Brooks

Co‑Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Maritime Partners

Co‑founder and CEO behind the industry’s first all‑inland vessel ABS issuance and a $750M warehouse credit facility, positioning the largest U.S. maritime lessor for continued fleet and M&A expansion.

Company site | Capital markets update

Peter Coxon

Chief Executive Officer, American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL)

Named CEO in November 2024 after decades leading marine logistics businesses; now steering one of the nation’s largest dry cargo and liquids towing networks on the inland waterways.

Company management page | Media contact

Kenny Devall

President & Chief Executive Officer, Southern Devall (Southern Towing Company + Devall Towing)

Led the post‑merger integration creating Southern Devall, a 700‑employee chemicals and fertilizer carrier with 230+ barges and 70 towboats spanning the Gulf Intracoastal and inland rivers.

Company news (integration) | Leadership announcement

Jacob Dykes

President, Magnolia Marine Transport (Ergon, Inc.)

Heads one of the largest heated petroleum barge fleets in the U.S., moving asphalt, crude and specialty oils system‑wide with 28 towboats and 100+ tank barges.

Company contact (lists role) | Parent company profile

Austin Golding

President & Chief Executive Officer, Golding Barge Line

Third‑generation operator and frequent industry advocate who leads a family‑owned tank barge line serving refiners and chemical producers across the rivers and Gulf Intracoastal.

Team/leadership | Company main line

David W. Grzebinski

Chief Executive Officer, Kirby Corporation (Kirby Inland Marine)

CEO since 2014 of the nation’s largest tank‑barge operator; recognized as 2023 Maritime Leader of the Year for safety and sustainability leadership across Kirby’s inland and coastal fleets.

Company site (management) | Corporate contact

Damon Judd

President & Chief Executive Officer, Marquette Transportation

President & CEO guiding one of the largest dry and liquid cargo towing providers; tapped in 2025 to help lead a new holding company following Redwood’s acquisition of Canal Barge Company.

Industry news (Redwood–Marquette–Canal Barge) | Company site

H. Merritt Lane III

President & Chief Executive Officer, Canal Barge Company

Long‑tenured industry statesman who has expanded CBC into one of the most diverse inland marine, terminaling and harbor services providers in North America.

President’s message | Company site

Louis Martel

President & Chief Executive Officer, The CSL Group (Canada Steamship Lines)

Naval architect turned CEO who has led CSL since 2017, driving self‑unloader innovation and a multi‑region strategy across the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence and global trades.

Management/Team | News release (appointment)

Kevin McMonagle

President, American Steamship Company & Lower Lakes Towing (Rand Logistics)

Oversees two of Rand’s operating pillars—U.S.‑flag American Steamship Company and Canada’s Lower Lakes Towing—serving key iron ore, stone, grain and salt supply chains on the Lakes.

Company leadership page | Company site

Tim Parker III

President, Parker Towing Company

Third‑generation leader modernizing a diversified inland carrier known for tank barge operations, terminals and harbor services across the Southeast river system.

Leadership | General contact

Paul Pathy

President & Chief Executive Officer, Fednav

Co‑CEO turned sole CEO who now also serves as BIMCO President (elected May 14, 2025), the first from the Americas—underscoring Fednav’s leadership in Great Lakes–Atlantic bulk trades.

BIMCO announcement | Company site

John Roberts

Chief Executive Officer, Ingram Marine Group (Ingram Barge Company)

CEO since 2022 of the nation’s largest inland barge operator, overseeing 4,000+ barges and a large towboat fleet across the Mississippi River system and Gulf Intracoastal.

Leadership page | Industry coverage

Gregg Ruhl

President & Chief Executive Officer, Algoma Central Corporation

At the helm since 2019, he has led a major fleet renewal and international growth program that continues to inject new capacity into Great Lakes and global self‑unloader markets.

Leadership | Fleet growth news

Lance Sannino

President, Enterprise Marine Services (Enterprise Products Partners)

Heads one of the largest inland liquids fleets serving energy majors; named as President on EMS’s official contact roster.

Company contact (lists role) | Company site

Joe Starck

President, The Great Lakes Towing Company / Great Lakes Shipyard

Leads the region’s primary harbor tug provider and an active shipyard, expanding and modernizing the U.S.‑flag tug fleet serving more than 35 Great Lakes ports.

Executive Q&A | Industry coverage

Peter Stephaich

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Campbell Transportation Company

Chairman & CEO known for advocacy roles at WCI and AWO and for building Campbell into a 50‑boat, 1,200‑barge platform with shipyard capabilities on the Ohio River.

Company leadership | Industry leadership (WCI)