GOVERNOR RILEY NAMES TIM PARKER, JR. CHAIR OF THE ALABAMA STATE PORT AUTHORITY. PARKER RECOGNIZES JENNINGS' CONTRIBUTIONS

Governor Bob Riley appointed on May 7, 2003, Tim Parker, Jr., as Chair of the Alabama State Port Authority.   Mr. Parker of Tuscaloosa, along with David Cooper of Mobile, was confirmed to the Authority by the Alabama State Senate on April 10, 2003. "I want to thank Governor Riley for his confidence in my ability to chair this distinguished board.  Over 70 years ago, my father worked the paddlewheel boats that carried cotton from Birmingham and Tuscaloosa to Mobile.  Having that tradition of Alabama's rich waterfront heritage, I consider it an honor and a privilege to work with this organization in today's global marketplace," Parker said.  

Tim Parker, a former three (3) term member of the Alabama Legislature, holds deep roots in the maritime industry.  From 1969 to 1974, Mr. Parker served in several capacities with Lykes Brothers Steamship Lines before joining Parker Towing Company in 1974, where he currently serves as President.  He is a past member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Inland Waterways Users Board (Appointed by the Secretary of the Army), a U.S. Representative to PIANC (International Navigation Association), past President of the American Society of Transportation and Logistics (Alabama Chapter) and the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway Development Council, and past Executive Committee Member of the National Waterways Conference and the Warrior/Tombigbee Development Association.   Mr. Parker currently serves on the Board for AmSouth Bank as well as numerous business boards in Tuscaloosa County and Western Alabama.  Mr. Parker earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama and is a graduate of the Harvard School of Business' Owner/President Management Program.

"The Authority will greatly benefit from Mr. Parker's knowledge of the Alabama legislature, in addition to his extensive experience in the transportation and port industries," said James K. Lyons, Director and CEO, of the Port Authority.  "Much of the Authority's success to date can be attributed to the business acumen and professionalism of its board members.  We look forward to Mr. Parker's participation and his leadership," Lyons said. 

Mr. Parker replaces Dwight Jennings, who has served as the Board's Chairman since the Authority's inception in May 2002.  Mr. Jennings, Owner, President and CEO of Southern Shipping & Intermodal and current Vice Chair of the Huntsville Airport Authority, oversaw the development and implementation of the Port Authority's governing by-laws and management committees.  Tim Parker said of Jennings' service, "Dwight crafted this board from its inception and his leadership has contributed greatly to the organization's success.  Alabama and its citizens will only benefit from Dwight's hard work to establish the Authority's credibility and position Alabama's Seaport as a premier international port.  I am looking forward to working with Dwight and will continue to seek his valued counsel and guidance."  Jimmy Lyons added, "very few people know the long hours Dwight Jennings spent in transitioning the State Docks from an extension of the Governor's office to that of a professional managing board.  His leadership and guidance was invaluable to me during these past few years.  I very much appreciated his service."