American Waterways Operators Inc

Arlington, VA ยท Founded 1944

National trade association representing the tugboat, towboat, and barge industry across American waterways

Primary audience
Industry Members
Work area
Trade Association
Topic
Maritime Transportation
Contact
Jennifer Carpenter
Website Contact

About Organization

American Waterways Operators serves as the unified voice and advocacy organization for the tugboat, towboat, and barge industry operating on America's waterways, oceans, and coasts. Based in Arlington, VA, the organization has represented the maritime transportation sector since 1944. With annual revenue of $7.6 million and 32 employees, AWO advocates for safe, sustainable, and efficient waterborne commerce.

What They Focus On

Maritime Safety

Advancing safety standards, training protocols, and incident prevention practices for tugboat and barge operations

Regulatory Advocacy

Representing industry interests in federal transportation policy, environmental regulations, and infrastructure investment decisions

Industry Sustainability

Promoting efficient waterborne commerce and environmental stewardship practices across American waterways and coastal regions

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2023)

$7.6M

+6.8% vs 2022

Expenses (2023)

$7.3M

+5.8% vs 2022

Assets (2023)

$15.5M

+2% vs 2022

Employees (2023)

32

-8.6% vs 2022

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2023 $7,577,243 $7,315,317 $15,519,055 32
2022 $7,093,906 $6,915,448 $15,214,849 35
2020 $7,524,730 $6,960,530 $10,803,404 43
2019 $7,537,947 $7,945,305 $8,273,893 30
2018 $7,362,176 $7,179,121 $7,700,352 33

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Member Engagement

    Gather input and priorities from tugboat, towboat, and barge operators across all regions

  • 02

    Policy Development

    Develop industry positions on safety regulations, infrastructure funding, and environmental standards

  • 03

    Government Advocacy

    Present industry perspectives to federal agencies, Congress, and maritime regulatory bodies

  • 04

    Industry Support

    Deliver compliance resources, safety training materials, and operational guidance to member companies

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by American Waterways Operators Inc

Industry Advocacy

Represents tugboat, towboat, and barge operators before federal agencies and Congress on transportation policy and regulations

Safety Standards

Develops and promotes industry safety protocols and best practices for maritime operations on waterways

Sustainability Initiatives

Advances environmental stewardship and sustainable practices for commercial vessel operations and waterborne transportation

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind American Waterways Operators Inc.

JC

Jennifer Carpenter

President & CEO
Full-time
Compensation: $612,469
LM

Lynn Muench

SVP, Regional Adv
Full-time
Compensation: $248,539
CS

Carmina Smith

SVP, Ops & Admin
Full-time
Compensation: $196,065
CM

Craig Montesano

VP, Leg Affairs
Full-time
Compensation: $240,574
CS

Caitlyn Stewart

VP, Reg Affairs
Full-time
Compensation: $183,889
BL

Ben Lerner

VP, Pub Affairs & Comms
Full-time
Compensation: $171,428
PS

Peter Schrappen

VP, Pacific & Gen Counsel
Full-time
Compensation: $165,431
AR

Al Romano

VP, Finance & Accounting
Full-time
Compensation: $153,064
JM

Joseph Manion

Dir, Pol Affairs
Full-time
Compensation: $150,736
MW

Mark Wright

VP, Southern
Full-time
Compensation: $142,157
BV

Brian Vahey

VP, Atlantic Region
Full-time
Compensation: $138,057
KT

Kelly Teichman

Vice Chairman (As Of 5/23)
5 hrs/week
RI

Rick Iuliucci

Chairman (As Of 5/23)
5 hrs/week
AH

Aaron Halcomb

Director
AB

Adam Binsfeld

Director
AG

Angela Grett

Director
AF

Angie Fay

Director
AM

Art Mead

Director
AD

Ashley Danielson

Director
AG

Austin Golding

Director
BS

Baxter Southern

Director
BB

Beau Berthelot

Director
CH

Chas Haun

Director
CH

Chuck Hriczak

Director
CN

Craig Nelson

Director
DL

David Lane

Director
DR

David Reynolds

Director
DE

Derek Egan

Director
EH

Ed Hogan

Director
EB

Everett Billingslea

Director
GH

Garrett Huffman

Director
GS

Gary Statler

Director
GL

George Leavell

Director
JF

James Fowler

Director
JB

Jamie Bigbie

Director
JD

Jc Dann

Director
JK

Jeff Keifer

Director
JP

Jeff Parker

Director
JS

Jeff Slesinger

Director
JR

Jim Robertson

Director
JH

John Harms

Director
JR

John Roberts

Director
JH

Jon Hellberg

Director
JD

Josh Dixon

Director
JK

Josh Knichel

Director
KK

Keith Kirkeide

Director
KF

Kent Furlong

Director
LS

Lance Sannino

Director
LS

Larry Strohm

Director
MM

Mario Munoz

Director
MB

Mark Bourgeois

Director
MP

Mark Patterson

Director
MC

Martin Curtin

Director
MF

Matt French

Director
MW

Matt Woodruff

Director
MM

Michael Myers

Director
MV

Michael Versteeg

Director
MR

Mike Reagoso

Director
NH

Nathan Hauser

Director
PS

Patrick Smith

Director
PS

Patrick Sutton

Director
PW

Paul Witte

Director
RF

Ray Fitzgerald

Director
RF

Rick Freed

Director
RS

Russell Shrewsbury

Director
SP

Sarah Perry McGee

Director
SB

Shawn Bennett

Director
SD

Stephen Dann

Director
TP

Tim Power

Director
TC

Todd Clower

Director
WH

William Hanson

Director

Milestones

1944

Organization Founded

1944

American Waterways Operators established to represent the tugboat and barge industry

1945

IRS Recognition

1945

Received tax-exempt status as national trade association for maritime transportation sector

2020

Peak Revenue Period

2020

Organization revenue reached $7.5 million supporting 43 employees during expansion phase

2023

Current Operations

2023

Maintains advocacy presence with $7.6 million budget serving nationwide membership base

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AH
Aaron Halcomb Director 1.00 hrs/week
AB
Adam Binsfeld Director 1.00 hrs/week
AG
Angela Grett Director 1.00 hrs/week
AF
Angie Fay Director 1.00 hrs/week
AM
Art Mead Director 1.00 hrs/week
AD
Ashley Danielson Director 1.00 hrs/week
AG
Austin Golding Director 1.00 hrs/week
BS
Baxter Southern Director 1.00 hrs/week
BB
Beau Berthelot Director 1.00 hrs/week
BH
Brian Hughes Treasurer 5.00 hrs/week
CH
Chas Haun Director 1.00 hrs/week
CH
Chuck Hriczak Director 1.00 hrs/week
CT
Clark Todd Immd. Past Chair (As Of 5/23) 5.00 hrs/week
CN
Craig Nelson Director 1.00 hrs/week
DL
David Lane Director 1.00 hrs/week
DR
David Reynolds Director 1.00 hrs/week
DE
Derek Egan Director 1.00 hrs/week
EH
Ed Hogan Director 1.00 hrs/week
EB
Everett Billingslea Director 1.00 hrs/week
GH
Garrett Huffman Director 1.00 hrs/week
GS
Gary Statler Director 1.00 hrs/week
GL
George Leavell Director 1.00 hrs/week
JF
James Fowler Director 1.00 hrs/week
JB
Jamie Bigbie Director 1.00 hrs/week
JD
Jc Dann Director 1.00 hrs/week
JK
Jeff Keifer Director 1.00 hrs/week
JP
Jeff Parker Director 1.00 hrs/week
JS
Jeff Slesinger Director 1.00 hrs/week
JR
Jim Robertson Director 1.00 hrs/week
JH
John Harms Director 1.00 hrs/week
JR
John Roberts Director 1.00 hrs/week
JH
Jon Hellberg Director 1.00 hrs/week
JD
Josh Dixon Director 1.00 hrs/week
JK
Josh Knichel Director 1.00 hrs/week
KK
Keith Kirkeide Director 1.00 hrs/week
KF
Kent Furlong Director 1.00 hrs/week
LS
Lance Sannino Director 1.00 hrs/week
LS
Larry Strohm Director 1.00 hrs/week
MM
Mario Munoz Director 1.00 hrs/week
MB
Mark Bourgeois Director 1.00 hrs/week
MP
Mark Patterson Director 1.00 hrs/week
MC
Martin Curtin Director 1.00 hrs/week
MF
Matt French Director 1.00 hrs/week
MW
Matt Woodruff Director 1.00 hrs/week
MM
Michael Myers Director 1.00 hrs/week
MV
Michael Versteeg Director 1.00 hrs/week
MR
Mike Reagoso Director 1.00 hrs/week
NH
Nathan Hauser Director 1.00 hrs/week
PS
Patrick Smith Director 1.00 hrs/week
PS
Patrick Sutton Director 1.00 hrs/week
PW
Paul Witte Director 1.00 hrs/week
RF
Ray Fitzgerald Director 1.00 hrs/week
RF
Rick Freed Director 1.00 hrs/week
RS
Russell Shrewsbury Director 1.00 hrs/week
SP
Sarah Perry McGee Director 1.00 hrs/week
SB
Shawn Bennett Director 1.00 hrs/week
SD
Stephen Dann Director 1.00 hrs/week
TP
Tim Power Director 1.00 hrs/week
TC
Todd Clower Director 1.00 hrs/week
WH
William Hanson Director 1.00 hrs/week
KT
Kelly Teichman Vice Chairman (As Of 5/23)
RI
Rick Iuliucci Chairman (As Of 5/23)

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2023)

$2.7M

Highest Paid

$742K

Jennifer Carpenter

Compensated Officers

11

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Jennifer Carpenter President & CEO $612,469 $129,296 $741,765 40
Lynn Muench SVP, Regional Adv $248,539 $37,406 $285,945 40
Craig Montesano VP, Leg Affairs $240,574 $22,554 $263,128 40
Carmina Smith SVP, OPS & Admin $196,065 $12,933 $208,998 40
Caitlyn Stewart VP, REG Affairs $183,889 $14,609 $198,498 40
Ben Lerner VP, Pub Affairs & Comms $171,428 $23,995 $195,423 40
Peter Schrappen VP, Pacific & Gen Counsel $165,431 $23,019 $188,450 40
Mark Wright VP, Southern $142,157 $39,128 $181,285 40
Joseph Manion DIR, Pol Affairs $150,736 $21,546 $172,282 40
Al Romano VP, Finance & Accounting $153,064 $4,574 $157,638 40
Brian Vahey VP, Atlantic Region $138,057 $14,310 $152,367 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$182K Grants Given
7 Organizations

Top Grantees

7 total
AM
American Maritime Partnership WASHINGTON, DC
$104K
FM
Florida Maritime Partnership TAMPA, FL
$20K
NF
Ncsl Foundation DENVER, CO
$15K
CB
Congressional Black Caucus Institute WASHINGTON, DC
$15K
CT
Coalition To Protect The Missouri River HERMAN, MO
$12K
SC
Seamen's Church Institute NEWARK, NJ
$10K
PM
Pacific Merchant Shipping Asociation OAKLAND, CA
$6K
American Maritime Partnership Florida Maritime Partnership Ncsl Foundation Congressional Black Caucus Institute Coalition To Protect The Missouri River Seamen's Church Institute Pacific Merchant Shipping Asociation
American Maritime Partnership Florida Maritime Partnership Ncsl Foundation Congressional Black Caucus Institute Coalition To Protect The Missouri River Seamen's Church Institute Pacific Merchant Shipping Asociation

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Related Organizations

1 affiliated entity reported on IRS Form 990 Schedule R

1

Tax-Exempt Affiliates

1
American Waterways Operators Pac
Arlington, VA
Political Activity
501(c) 527

Source: IRS Form 990, Schedule R (Related Organizations and Unrelated Partnerships)

Lobbying Activity

Lobbying Disclosure Act registrations

Self-Lobbying
3 Registrations
2 Clients
Yes Self-Lobbying

Clients 2 total

The American Waterways Operators
1 filing
Self
A
American Water
2 filings

Source: Senate Office of Public Records — Lobbying Disclosure Act

Contact

Get in touch with American Waterways Operators Inc

Phone

(703) 841-9300

Social

Visit Website
801 N Quincy St 500 Arlington, VA 222031708