Dan Smith named AMO executive vice president

Dan Smith named AMO executive vice president

Daniel Smith has been appointed national executive vice president of American Maritime Officers, effective March 1.

AMO National President Thomas Bethel made the appointment during quarterly meetings of the union's national executive board the week of Feb. 20.

Bethel appointed Donald Cree to succeed Smith as AMO national vice president, Great Lakes, and Brian Krus to succeed Cree as AMO national assistant vice president, Great Lakes.

"Dan Smith has provided immeasurable service to AMO members on the Great Lakes in several capacities over several years," Bethel said. "Dan has been an instructor at the AMO Safety and Education Plan's training center in Toledo, a union representative, assistant vice president and vice president, and I am proud to work with him on behalf of all AMO members and their families.

"Don Cree has worked closely with Dan for many years," Bethel continued. "He has the experience and the dedication the job requires. I am certain that the engineers, mates and stewards we are privileged to represent on the lakes will benefit greatly from Don's work."

Krus "is new to the AMO administration, but his record includes 17 years as a chief engineer with Oglebay Norton and American Steamship Co.," Bethel said. "In his brief time ashore with AMO, Brian has shown the same spirit and drive that brought him to the top of his seagoing profession. I am certain the Great Lakes membership of AMO will get to know Brian Krus as a real asset."

Bethel said Smith would continue to operate from the union's Great Lakes base in Toledo. "Our union faces unique, specific challenges on the Great Lakes, and Dan Smith is the man to meet these challenges head-on," Bethel explained.

Bethel said AMO National Assistant Vice President At Large Robert Kiefer would assume the principal duties associated traditionally with the position of national executive vice president.

"Bob Kiefer and I have worked closely for a long time on deep-sea collective bargaining and the preparation of licensed labor cost proposals for AMO employers competing for Military Sealift Command and Maritime Administration charters," Bethel said. "I can't think of anyone more qualified to accept these responsibilities. Bob has savvy and instinct, two qualities that will serve our union well."

Bethel also announced the reassignment of American Maritime Officer Editor Paul Doell to the union's legislative staff in Washington, and the appointment of Managing Editor Matt Burke to the newspaper editor's position. Burke will also manage the AMO Web site.

Front Page

Return To Section-Front