Page 22: of Marine News Magazine (November 2021)

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Column

Washington Watch

Biden ? nally taps a Maritime Administrator as Maritime Administrator. Notwithstanding these ques-

Thankfully, additional maritime leadership is on its way tions, Phillips is viewed as a very capable leader within the as President Biden ? nally nominated a Maritime Admin- beltway and her nomination appears to have bipartisan istrator after the longest delay of any modern administra- support. Accordingly, her nomination is expected to re- tion. Biden has selected Rear Admiral Ann Phillips, USN ceive relatively quick Senate con? rmation. (Ret.), to lead the Maritime Administration (MARAD), In addition to its role as the promotional agency for the U.S. a distinguished Navy Surface Warfare Of? cer, who served maritime industry and U.S. Merchant Marine, MARAD is on the Chief of Naval Operations’ Staff as the Director responsible for administering port-focused grant programs, of Surface Warfare (N86) prior to her retirement. Since including the Port Infrastructure Development Program. retiring, Phillips has been focused on coastal resiliency and Once con? rmed, Phillips will therefore play a key role in the climate change issues, including in her current position as Federal government’s response to U.S. supply chain capacity

Special Assistant for Coastal Adaptation and Protection to issues. Phillips’ challenges will not end there as she will be

Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia. tasked with overseeing the forthcoming efforts to recapitalize

Phillips’ environmental background clearly aligns with MARAD’s aging Ready Reserve Force ? eet and addressing a the Biden Administration’s larger agenda, but her lack of myriad of challenges at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. any commercial maritime experience leaves many ques- I am con? dent that she will rise to the challenge and will be tions as to how her background will translate to serving a strong advocate for U.S. maritime stakeholders.

22 | MN November 2021