The National Association of Waterfront Employers (NAWE) has announced that John Young has joined the association as the new vice president of government affairs.

“I am pleased to welcome John to the NAWE team. He brings a wealth of knowledge in government affairs and, equally important, an understanding of the maritime industry,” said NAWE president Carl W. Bentzel. “NAWE is poised to be the leading voice in Washington, D.C. on maritime policy and the shipping industry. John’s skill set and experience working at an association align with our projected growth. He will be able to step in and provide value on day one.”

Young brings to NAWE more than 20 years of broad and impactful experience in Washington, D.C., primarily focused on supply chain, infrastructure, and maritime issues. He has served as a senior staffer on Capitol Hill, represented private and public organizations as a lobbyist, been a lead advocate for an international maritime organization and served as counsel and advisor for a Senate-confirmed commissioner of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC).

“I look forward to working with the NAWE membership during this crucial time for the U.S. maritime industry. Terminal operators and port facilities will be the lynchpin in growing and managing the supply chain. I want to thank the NAWE board and membership for this fantastic opportunity,” said John Young, vice president of government affairs for NAWE.

As a Capitol Hill veteran, Young served as the legislative director for two members of Congress, setting policy agendas, directing staff, executing activities and initiatives both in congressional districts as well as Washington, D.C. In the private sector, Young was instrumental in building out current maritime and port policies as well as funding programs, developing a timely “State of Freight” series report that provided a much-needed narrative on port landside and security needs.

Young also worked at the FMC under NAWE president Carl Bentzel during Bentzel's tenure as FMC Commissioner at the height of the pandemic. During this time, Young worked with terminals and their customers to address a myriad of shipping issues such as port congestion, equipment displacement, and the passage and implementation of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 - the first shipping reform act in over twenty years.