MAY 1, 2013 — Buckley McAllister, President, McAllister Towing, has succeeded Linn Peterson of Kirby Inland Marine, LP as Chairman of the American Waterways Operators, the national trade association representing the tugboat, towboat and barge industry, which elected a new slate of leaders at its Spring Convention recently held in Washington, D.C. Frank Morton, Director, Turn Services, LLC was elected as Vice Chairman.

Addressing the members following his election, Mr. McAllister focused on one of the industry's key characteristics – resilience, citing the industry's response to the low water crisis on the Mississippi River and the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy as recent examples of how it is able to tackle challenges and come back stronger.

"This is an industry of passionate leaders and dedicated professionals," he said. "You have proven your resilience time and again. Working together as a team, we can achieve much more together than we can individually. As for my role on this team, I will do my best to improve the resiliency of your trade association and industry for generations to come."

Mr. McAllister will serve as AWO's Chairman until April 2014.