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Mississippi River Economy SummitAC Wharton Mayor of Memphis, TN MRCTI Co- Chair, Host Roy Buol Mayor of Dubuque, IA MRCTI Co -Chair Dear Colleagues and Friends, Chris Masingill Federal Co -Chair Delta Regional Authority Michael Marshall Alternate Federal Co -Chair Delta Regional Authority Welcome to Memphis, host of the first Mississippi River Economy Summit convened by Mayors along the River and the Delta Regional Authority. We want to personally thank you for joining us on this very important occasion. We also want to thank the Northeast- Midwest Institute and the Walton Family Foundation for their continued faith in all our efforts including this new and exciting partnership between the Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI) and the Delta Regional Authority (DRA). MRCTI has been engaged in a lot of firsts lately — helping to build the first bicameral Mississippi River Caucus in the U.S. Congress; ratifying the first memorandum of common purpose between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and mayors along the Mississippi River; and now co- hosting the first Mississippi River Economy Summit Though these moves have been calculated, trust is required between mayors and stakeholders. Few entities have shown more trust and given more guidance around what the mayors are trying to accomplish than the Delta Regional Authority. As co- chairs of both DRA and MRCTI, we are very pleased to present this Summit on the economy of the Mississippi. An economy anywhere must have natural resources to thrive —an ecological stock from which to build and grow. For the cities and towns adjacent to its banks, the most important natural resource is America's Great Waterway, the First Main Street, the gateway to what would be our nation's manifest destiny —the Mississippi River. As much as the River takes while it ebbs and flows around our lives, it returns in making possible almost half a trillion dollars in gross municipal product every year. The River is not something we have domin- ion over; it is something that has been entrusted to our care —our sacred trust, as one mayor puts it. Though we are unable to explore all facets of the Mississippi River's economy in one meeting, we can come together around targeted initiatives to promote and embed sustainability in the industries that depend on the waterway. We invite you to be part of this endeavor as we work to more emphatically and accurately profile the River's economic impact, increase the competitive edge it can create for jobs and trade, and better develop the business opportunities aligned to near -water communities. Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative Economy Summit Oct. 16 -17, 2013 r A ` NORTHEAST- MIDWEST • 1 NS T I T U T E MISSISSIPPI RIVER ECONOMY SUMMIT Agenda Hosted by: Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative Delta Regional Authority City of Memphis, TN 124.0 11101111•• M mougiumn 119.0 112.0 105.0 98.0 91-0 84.0 77.0 70.0 63.0 56.0 49.0 42.0 35.0 28.0 21.0 14.0 7.0 Title Sponsors: Peer Power and Aerobic Cruiser Unless noted, all sessions and events are open to all mayors and other officially invited attendees. Official functions and meeting services are located at the Mud Island River Park, 125 North Front Street, unless otherwise stated. October 16 Registration 9:OOam — 5:OOpm, Harbor Landing, Mud Island River Park Opening Lunch Plenary, Sponsored by: International Port of Memphis Buses will begin loading in front of Courtyard Marriott (75 Jefferson Avenue) at 11:OOam Welcome and Opening Address 12:OOpm — 12:30pm, River Terrace, Mud Island River Park Presiding: AC Wharton, Mayor of Memphis, TN; Roy Buol, Mayor of Dubuque, IA; Christopher Masingill, Federal Co- Chair, DRA Join Mayors AC Wharton of Memphis and Roy Buol of Dubuque and the Federal Co -Chair of the Delta Regional Authority for the opening of this first gathering of mayors for the sole purpose of detailing and developing the large -scale economy of the Mississippi River. Preview Unveiling of LMRCC Lower Mississippi River Economic Profile 12:30pm — 1:30pm, River Terrace, Mud Island River Park Introduction: George Flaggs, Mayor of Vicksburg, MS Bryan Hopkins, Missouri Department of Natural Resources Dominika Dziegielewska- Parry, Environmental Economist Bruce Reid, Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee Outreach Specialist The Lower Mississippi River Economic Profile is a 10 -year update to the 2004 profile also coordinated by the LMRCC. One of the few near - comprehensive economy reports of the Mississippi River, the profile provides a telling picture of the complex and essential economic engine that is America's Great Waterway. CREATING A RENAISSANCE FOR THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER ECONOMY Container -on -Barge Shipping 2:OOpm — 3:30pm, Harbor Landing, Mud Island River Park Moderators: Larry 'Butch' Brown, Mayor of Natchez, MS; Franklin Parker, Chief Counsel of U.S. Maritime Administration; Michael Marshall, Alternative Federal Co- Chair, DRA SHIPPERS Bryan Most, VP of Global Logistics &Global Sourcing, WaI -Mart Stores, Inc. Scott Sigman, Transportation & Export Infrastructure Lead, IL Soybean Association Carolyn Hardy, President & CEO, Chism Hardy Investments BARGE COMPANIES Dan Mecklenborg, Senior VP, Ingram Barge Company PORTS & TERMINALS Robert Landry, Chief Commercial Officer, Port of New Orleans (invited) Dennis Wilmsmeyer, Executive Director, America's Central Port Break (10 min) — Refreshments provided The Mississippi River as a Link to Global Trade — Open Discussion 3:45pm — 5:OOpm, Harbor Landing, Mud Island River Park Moderator: Christopher Masingill, Federal Co- Chair, DRA Bruce Lambert, Executive Director, Institute for Trade & Transportation Studies Buses will begin loading to return attendees to Courtyard Marriott (75 Jefferson Avenue) at 6 :OOpm Summit Evening Reception and Dinner Buses will begin loading in front of the Courtyard Marriott (75 Jefferson Avenue) at 6 :OOpm. 6:30pm — 8:30pm, Beale Street Landing Presiding: AC Wharton, Mayor of Memphis, TN; Roy Buol, Mayor of Dubuque, IA; Christopher Masingill, Federal Co- Chair, DRA The Honorable Steve I. Cohen, U.S. House of Representatives, 9th District of Tennessee Charles McVean, Chairman and CEO, McVean Trading & Investments Greg Maxted, Maxline, Inc. Tom Marshall, Principal, T.O. Marshall Architects, Managing Architect for Bass Pro Development Dorchelle Spance, VP, Memphis Riverfront Development Corporation Join the Summit hosts for an evening at the new Beale Street Landing along the River and witness the reemergence of waterfront tourism and culture with a modern twist. Presentations will also include using cultural, heritage, and re- purposed infrastructure of the Mississippi as economic drivers. October 17 Registration Breakfast Pienary: Innovative Approaches to Securing Mississippi River Infrastructure Buses will begin loading infront of Courtyard Marriott (75 Jefferson Avenue) ot8:3Oann 9:0Oann—IO:15ann, River Terrace, Mud Island River Park Presiding: Harry Rediger, Mayor of Cape Girardeau, MO; Tom Thom Mayor of Grafton, IL The Honorable Stephen I. Fincher, U.S. House of Representatives, 8`" District ofTennessee Dan Overbey, Executive Director of Southeast Missouri Port Authority Dirk Draper, Vice President, CH2M Hill ALIGNING INVESTMENT TO LOCAL PROSPERITY ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER 10:3Oann-11:3Omnn, Harbor Landing, Mud Island River Park Moderator: Dickie Kennemore, Mayor of Osceola, AR Dominik Knoll, Chair, World Trade Center Mississippi River Alliance Charles Theiling, Mississippi Valley Division Regional Technical Specialist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Summit Press Conference lI:45omn-1I:15pmn, River Walk, Mud Island River Park Presiding: AC Wharton Mayor of Memphis, TN; Roy Buol, Mayor of Dubuque, IA; Christopher Masingill, Federal Co-Chair, DRA; Michael Marshall, Alternate Federal Co-Chair, DRA Closing Lunch Plenary: Building the Capacity of the Rural Economy, Sponsored by Wepfer Marine Inc 12:3Opnn — 1:3Opnn, River Terrace, Mud Island River Park Presiding: Christopher Masingill, Federal Co-Chair, DRA Mark H. Luttrell, Jr., Mayor of Shelby County The Honorable Mark Norris, TN State Senator, National Chair-Elect, Council of State Governments Janet Kavinoky, Executive Director, Transportation & Infrastructure, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Closing Remarks: AC Wharton, Mayor of Memphis, TN Buses will begin loading to return attendees to Courtyard Marriott (75 Jefferson Avenue) ot2:3Umn7 Adjourn : The Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee is producing a profile to document the economic values derived from or associated with the Lower Mississippi River. A similar report was released in 2004. PURPOSE The economic profile will provide an understanding of the multiple uses : and benefits of the Lower Mississippi River. This information can be used by government agencies, legislative bodies, private organizations, busi- nesses and individuals. STATUS An updated economic profile will be completed in late 2013. A preview of : findings will be unveiled at the Mississippi River Economy Summit hosted by the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative and the Delta Regional Authority in Memphis, Tennessee, on October 16 -17, 2013. DISTRIBUTION The economic profile will be distributed publicly by the Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee and partner organizations. PARTNERS ▪ The Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee is working with the U.S. Fish : and Wildlife Service Division of Economics, Industrial Economics Inc., U.S. Army • ▪ Corps of Engineers and Walton Family Foundation to prepare the economic profile. LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE • ; • Photos and illustrations: Jan Hoover, Bruce Reid, Bill Stripling and Paul Ingram. • OotiG A Cs LMRCCI ECONOMIC SECTORS Economists are examining 10 economic sectors for the updated profile: • • Agriculture • Commercial navigation • • • Energy production • ▪ Manufacturing Mineral resources • • Natural resources harvest • ▪ Natural resources services • ▪ Outdoor recreation • ▪ Tourism • • Water use and supply LMRCC MEMBER AGENCIES • • Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection • ▪ Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality • • Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries • ▪ Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks • ▪ Missouri Department of Conservation Missouri Department of Natural Resources • Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation • • Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency STUDY AREA • Includes 113 counties and parishes in seven states. • Extends from Cairo, Illinois, to the Gulf of Mexico. • Covers >71,000 square miles. • Focuses on the Mississippi River's historic floodplain and deltaic plain. MO IL 1161 CAA 1 .1 iii vigil III _t AR 11FA 11.110001 I el if Silk LA lirft i EIPP vilest, ailiriM iligrinur 441/01111k _ _, off,:: Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative A project within the Northeast - Midwest Institute Year of Change for the River 2013 Illirteett The Northeast- Midwest Institute ( NEMWI) received a grant from the Walton Family Foundation to create a new and influential voice for the Mississippi River dramatically increasing demand for effective river protection, restoration and management in Washington, DC in 2012. NEMWI Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI) addresses matters of mutual concern, including: • River water quality and habitat restoration, • Flooding and floodplain issues, • River- focused recreation, • Sustainable economies, • Celebration of the River culture and history. Over 3 million residents collectively populate the 124 Mississippi River main stem cities and towns. These riparian population centers are soundly River - centric. MRCTI gives a common voice to those who depend most upon the River, and by virtue of doing so, spans political and economic interests. That is, it taps a natural source of the longed -for integration of transportation, farming, industrial, municipal and environmental interests to launch lasting solutions to River management issues. The outcome of the MRCTI is designed to be tangible improvement of Mississippi River: • Water quality, • Flood and floodplain management, and • River economy and environmental protection. The MRCTI articulates and helps drive multi - stakeholder solutions to recurring federal and state policy problems that impede environmental and economic health of river communities. This project also builds capacity of the MRCTI members to undertake effective local initiatives to attract green jobs, move to sustainable economies and achieve local environmental protection goals. Ultimately, this work helps protect and restore the Mississippi River as a natural system that can sustainably support human culture and economies as well as wildlife. MRCTI is a local government -lead effort empowering the ten States and over one hundred cities that border the Mississippi River to act for its continued prosperity, sustainability, and economic growth. Through MRCTI mayors and other leaders cooperate to give new urgency to issues facing the Mississippi River, and new strength to effectively resolve them. Contact: Colin Wellenkamp, Director, cwellenkamp a,nemw.org, 202 - 464 -4010. NORTH H -T -M [DWEBT "� .,N - 1 4 - - ! T O T E Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative Participating Cities Year of Change for the River 2013 These cities have joined the MRCTI. All ten Mississippi River states are represented. Bemidji, MN Baxter, MN Sartell, MN Sauk Rapids, MN St. Cloud, MN Clearwater, MN Monticello, MN Dayton, MN Minneapolis, MN St. Paul, MN Hastings, MN Prescott, WI Red Wing, MN Winona, MN Onalaska, WI La Crosse, WI Lansing, IA Prairie du Chien, WI Guttenberg, IA Dubuque, IA Clinton, IA Savanna, IL Bettendorf, IA East Moline, IL Moline, IL Rock Island, IL Davenport, IA Muscatine, IA Burlington, IA Fort Madison, IA Canton, MO LaGrange, MO Quincy, IL Clarksville, MO Grafton, IL Alton, IL Hartford, IL East St. Louis, MO St. Louis, MO Sauget, IL Prairie du Rocher, IL Ste. Genevieve, MO Chester, IL Cape Girardeau, MO Cairo, IL Wickliffe, KY Columbus, KY Hickman, KY New Madrid, MO Tiptonville, TN Osceola, AR Memphis, TN Helena -West Helena, AR Greenville, MS Vicksburg, MS Natchez, MS Vidalia, LA Baton Rouge, LA New Orleans, LA 2012 was our formation year. The Mayors launched their platform for the Mississippi River in Washington, DC, March 19 -21, 2013. If you have any questions, or wish to learn more, please do not hesitate to contact the MRCTI director, Colin Wellenkamp. Colin Wellenkamp, Director Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative Northeast - Midwest Institute 50 F Street, NW, Suite 950 Washington, DC 20001 (202) 464 -4010, offc Na �-T U T E it {=N _g 17 U 7 6 r MRCT11 MISSISSIPPI RIVER CITIES TOWNS INITIATIVE 2013 POLICY PL UNVAILED IN WASHINGTON, D TFORM MARCH 21, 2013 wk i P�• " i r Imuu•• Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative Capitol Meeting 2013 Policy Platform . Enact an environmentally sound and financially sustainable Water Resources Development Act that includes a Mississippi River Environmental Restoration, Protection and Sustainability Program . Foster the continued growth and increased effectiveness of the newly- formed bipartisan Congressional Mississippi River Caucus • Focus Federal resources where they can advance the most improvement in the Mississippi River's water quality . Pass a comprehensive Farm Bill that allows cities to participate in and receive funding from the Conservation Stewardship Program, establishes a national sodsaver program, and reestablishes the historic Zink between conservation compliance and crop insurance premium subsidies . Establish a National Drought Council that works with stakeholders to create a drought policy action plan and comprehensive national drought preparedness legislation . Establish a multi- agency Federal initiative to develop and implement a coordinated strategy that aids local governments as they address aquatic invasive species in the Mississippi River Basin • Preserve the Pre - Disaster Mitigation program for hazard planning and project implementation, and fund that program during Fiscal Year 2014 at a level of $100 million Our Mississi PARTNERING TO ,.EE1' AMERICA'S RIVER GREAT • Spring `13 River mayors put the Mississippi center stage en a dozen river -town mayors traveled to Washington D.C. earlier this spring, they brought the Mississippi River with them, so to speak. They conducted meetings with legislators and federal agen- cies atop a room -sized map of the Mississippi, along which were placed striking photos from the particular river stretch. And the symbolism was fitting. The group went to Washington to participate in the formation of a first -ever Mis- sissippi River caucus, a bipartisan, bicameral group that indudes two senators and four members of Congress. The goal of the caucus is to speak for the needs of the entire river, not the more limited needs of each caucus member's geographic focus. That in itself made a powerful statement, said Vicksburg mayor Paul Winfield, one of the delegation members. "We're always stronger when we work together," he said. "If we continue to focus on our mutual interests, we'll be a force to reckon with as we continue to push for the river and her maintenance." The mayors presented their river agenda to legislators, a list that includes a heavy focus on prevention of invasive species, a comprehensive farm bill, improvements to aging lock and dam infrastructure and more. The group also met with generals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the agency with jurisdiction over many of the river's navigation and ecosystem restoration resources. The agency has faced unprecedented challenges re- cently, including a swing from the largest recorded flood in history to its worst drought and the related challenges and costs. At a joint dinner, the mayors offered to be a voice for overcoming challenges the Corps and other agencies face in managing the waterway. Memphis Mayor A.C. Wharton proposed a formal memorandum of common purpose to further cement the relationship. While a formalized partnership beyond the caucus —with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers —is only a notion at this point, it demonstrates motiva- tion by both groups to pursue a formal alliance, said Colin Wellenkamp, director of the Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative. The group's main goal is to elevate the Mississippi on the federal agenda. Perhaps the first evidence of success will come if the river ends up being represented in the recently introduced Water Resource and Development Act. The bill's first draft makes no mention at all of the Mississippi, but does include several other rivers. The mayors have started the dialogue, telling the river story to the many lawmakers eager to listen. As the ecological linchpin to the 37 -state Missis- sippi River Basin, the group noted, the river is responsible for creating $105 billion worth of U.S. GDP; providing drinking water for more than 18 million; transporting 62 percent of our nation's agricultural output; delivering nearly 400 tons of coal and petroleum products; and directly supporting one million jobs and millions more indirectly. ABOVE. Legislators and other dignitaries mingle atop a giant map of the Mississippi River during the announcement of the first -ever Mississippi River Caucus. BOTTOM. A sampling of a Mississippi River photo exhibit displayed on Capitol Hill. What has already drawn notice is the way the entire river representation has come together in the initiative. For so long, they've been used to regional conversations, the northern stem, the middle, the southern stem," Wellenkamp said of legislators. "To all of a sudden see dozens of mayors come together around a river that's 2,320 miles long and involves so many different sectors of the economy — recreation, agri- culture, energy —it's been striking to people. We know because they told us." It's been obvious to people that have met with the mayors that they are really serious about this. Whatever differences they have, they really are setting them aside and cooperating for the entire waterway. Mayor Winfield said he has learned more than expected about the diversity of the massive river system as he travels to visit other river town mayors and sees the way some are more impacted by its recreation and natural beauty, oth- ers by the commerce it carries. "It's awesome to realize that one body of water has such a great impact on all our communities," he said. "On a lighter note, all of us mayors are joking about who has the best tasting water." —K.S. July 8, 2013 Editorial: [Mayoral Co- Chairs] will be strong advocates for communities along the Mississippi River Memphis Mayor A C Wharton and Mayor Roy Buol of Dubuque, Iowa, were recently chosen as co- chairmen of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, a local government -led effort to find solutions to improve and sustain the economic health of more than 100 cities whose economic well -being is driven mainly by the river. It would be easy to view Wharton's appointment as a figurehead position that will result in his having another plaque or certificate to hang on the wall of his office. That would be a mistake. The Mighty Mississippi is facing a host of issues, according to the MRCTI, that have an impact on "the more than 3 million residents that populate" 124 cities and towns along the river. The organization focuses on invasive species, such as Asian carp, that have been intro- duced into the river, as well as flooding and water quality problems from agricultural runoff and industrial pollution. Those issues can negatively impact recreational opportunities along the river and cities that depend on the river for their drinking water. There also is a sharp focus on how the river can affect the industrial and commercial fortunes of cities and towns along the 2,320 -mile river that stretches from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. For example, Wharton said he will push for dedicated funding for dredging the river's ports so that cities like Memphis don't have to "pass the hat" when harbors silt up. He also will seek dedicated funding in case of a catastrophic failure of any locks and dams on the upper reaches of the river. The lock - and -dam issue is a particular concern for companies that transport all kinds of crucial goods up and down the river. That commerce provides thousands of jobs. It should not be overlooked that many smaller communities along the river have fallen on hard times, aggravated by the recession. Factories have closed. Unemployment remains high. The Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative has worked hard to find solutions to help these cities prosper and sustain that prosperity. Wharton and Buol have taken on significant responsibilities as co- chairmen of the MRCTI, and the important issues the organization addresses leave no room for figureheads. Lifeline of America, Heart of the Delta: Small Public Ports on the Mississippi River 1. Perryville, MO 2. Scott City, MO 3. Hickman, KY 4. New Madrid, MO 5. Caruthersville, MO 6. Dyersburg, TN 7. Osceola, AR 8. Memphis, TN 9. Helena, AR 10. Rosedale, MS 11. McGehee, AR 12. Greenville, MS 13. Lake Providence, LA 14. Tallulah, LA 15. Vicksburg, MS 16. Port Gibson, MS 17. St. Joseph, LA Under Construction 18. Vidalia, LA Under Construction 19. Natchez, MS Color indicates DRA Service Area 0 Small Public Ports on the Mississippi River Delta Regional Authority — Mississippi River Port Investments 1 Small Public Ports in the Delta Region Nearly 10 million people in the Delta region and an estimated 15 million more in the Upper Mississippi rely on the Mississippi River as a lifeline for economic development, agriculture, commerce, drinking water, food, and recreation. It is a major source of job creation and support for our region's communities and businesses. Of our nation's inland and navigable waterways, an estimated 75 percent are within the Mississippi River system, making it the busiest water transportation artery in the country. This system supports a transportation industry that operates between $50 billion and $60 billion of commerce each year. Over the past twelve years, DRA has supported the ports that allow this river to succeed. With 19 small public ports directly on the Mississippi River, five major ports in southern Louisiana, and many more small ports on its tributaries, DRA's focus on port and harbor infrastructure is an important part of strengthening the economy of the Delta region. The DRA remains committed to protecting and supporting the industries, economies, and people of the Delta region for whom the Mississippi River is our heart and soul. DRA's impact on small ports and harbors through the Delta provides economic development, jobs, and commerce to the Region's communities and people. Delta Regional Authority Small Port Investments Grant Amount Leveraged Amount Total Project Cost Leveraged Private Investment Jobs being Created and Retained $ 7,690,752 $ 46,290,280 $ 53,981,033 $ 33,865,852 5,429 DRA Port Investments on the Mississippi River Perryville, MO (1) New Bourbon Port Authority Navigation Study for small rivers navigation project. Grant Amount Leveraged Amount Total Project Cost $ 105,000 $ 200,000 $ 305,000 Perry County Road 238 Paving Paving County Road 238 will allow Beelman River Terminals to access their barge terminal. Grant Amount Leveraged Amount Total Project Cost Leveraged Private Investment $ 43,400 $ 88,606 $ 132,006 $ 315,030 Port of New Bourbon Construction Construction of a public multimodal port to serve businesses in Ste. Genevieve, Perry, and surrounding counties. Grant Amount Leveraged Amount Total Project Cost Delta Regional Authority — Mississippi River Port Investments $ 85,280 $ 255,840 $ 341,120 2 Scott City, MO (2) Port Access Road Paving of approx, 1000' gap in Harbor Road, which leads to a new corn milling facility. Grant Amount Leveraged Amount Total Project Cost $ 130,000 $ 30,635 $ 160,635 Construct Rail to Port for New Business Construction of 10,700' of rail line across Highway 84 will connect with a spur planned for the bio -fuels plant. Grant Amount $ 205,701 Leveraged Amount $ 998,520 Total Project Cost $ 1,204,221 Leveraged Private Investment $ 10,700,000 Hickman, KY (3) Conveyor Outload Upgrade and Riverport Road Upgrade Upgrade conveyor system to allow loading of barges and to connect Riverport Road to Walnut Street by an access loop. Grant Amount $ 125,479 Leveraged Amount $ 0 Total Project Cost $ 125,479 Emergency Dredging Emergency dredging at the riverport dock to return to operational status. Grant Amount Leveraged Amount Total Project Cost $ 41,099 $0 $ 41,099 Emergency Dredging Riverport Channel Remove sediment from the harbor entrance, allowing the harbor to open long enough to gain funding to complete a full dredging. Grant Amount $ 100,000 Leveraged Amount $ 0 Total Project Cost $ 100,000 Hickman - Fulton County Riverport Authority Repair /upgrade of the port's crane and barge winches to increase production and repair/ replacement of the roof to the port office and shop building, which houses equipment and records, directly saving 11 -14 jobs. Grant Amount $ 100,000 Leveraged Amount $ 50,000 Total Project Cost $ 150,000 Highway 1354 Improvement Raising a short section of KY1354 beginning at KY94 so Hickman Port and adjoining business- es can operate during river flood stages. Grant Amount Leveraged Amount Total Project Cost $ 300,000 $ 45,000 $ 345,000 New Madrid, MO (4) Concrete Levee Access Road to Port Construction of a concrete roadway along the levee road and Missouri Route EE. Grant Amount $ 184,034 Leveraged Amount $ 735,000 Total Project Cost $ 919,034 Leveraged Private Investment $ 12,000,000 Caruthersville, MO (5) Pemiscot County Port Authority Assist in performing a Market Feasibility Study. Grant Amount $ 50,000 Leveraged Amount $ 0 Total Project Cost $ 50,000 Port Authority Railroad Crossing Safety devices at 10 crossings. Grant Amount Leveraged Amount Total Project Cost $ 4,258 $0 $ 4,258 Dyersburg, TN (6) Northwest Tennessee Regional Port Authority Master Plan & Design Planning for public port & adjacent industrial park with access roads, rail spur, and utilities, Grant Amount Leveraged Amount Total Project Cost $ 325,000 $ 27,000 $ 352,000 Northwest Tennessee Regional Port Master Plan & Port Design The Corp of Engineers will dredge the port after a land purchase. Grant Amount $ 20,046 Leveraged Amount $ 410,000 Total Project Cost $ 430,046 Osceola, AR (7) Osceola Riverport Site work and construction of a flotation barge located at the Osceola Riverport. Grant Amount $ 399,999 Leveraged Amount $ 1,995,500 Total Project Cost $ 2,395,499 Delta Regional Authority- Mississippi River Port Investments 3 Resurfacing Access Road to Osceola River Port Resurface and widen the Osceola Port access. Grant Amount Leveraged Amount Total Project Cost $ 135,500 $ 27,100 $ 162,600 Rosedale, MS (10) Relocation of Rosedale Grain Dock Relocating a loading /unloading dock so that it extends further into the water which will allow it to operate in low water level conditions. Grant Amount Leveraged Amount Total Project Cost Leveraged Private Investment $ 100,000 $ 450,822 $ 550,822 $ 200,822 McGehee, AR (11) Infrastructure Improvements for the Port of Yellow Bend Installation of four port dolphins and the repair of an existing dolphin. Grant Amount $ 66,052 Leveraged Amount $ 296,800 Total Project Cost $ 362,852 Lake Providence, LA (13) Lake Providence Port Improvements Building a containment levee and access road. Grant Amount Leveraged Amount Total Project Cost $ 700,000 $ 4,120, 000 $ 4,820,000 Tallulah, LA (14) Madison Parish Port Commission Infrastructure Improvements Replacing rails, roads, and utilities to raise the levee. Grant Amount $ 221,000 Leveraged Amount $ 2,010,000 Total Project Cost $ 2,231,000 Vicksburg, MS (15) Warren County Port Commission Transportation Enhancement Purchase and installation of a new, modern 15 -ton crane to replace the obsolete crane. Grant Amount Leveraged Amount Total Project Cost $ 206,000 $ 1,717,582 $ 1,923,582 Port Gibson, MS (16) Claiborne County Port Access Road Repair a Frank Headley Road embankment. Grant Amount Leveraged Amount Total Project Cost $ 99,232 $ 90,000 $ 189, 232 St. Joseph, LA (17) Tensas Parish Police Jury Assist in construction of Phase 1 port development for land acquisition, access road, dolphins, and building renovations. Grant Amount Leveraged Amount Total Project Cost Leveraged Private Investment $ 150,000 $ 2,133,500 $ 2,283,500 $ 150,000 Tensas Parish Police Jury Renovate 40,000 SF building for Tensas Parish Port Commission operations. Grant Amount $ 75,000 Leveraged Amount $ 924,000 Total Project Cost $ 999,000 Vidalia, LA (18) City of Vidalia Loading /Unloading Facility The project consists of building a loading/ unloading facility in New Vidalia Industrial Park. Grant Amount Leveraged Amount Total Project Cost $ 65,000 $ 96,550 $ 161,550 Vidalia Port Working Pad and Riveride Access Road Construction of a working pad and riverside access road, enhancing Vidalia Industrial Park. Grant Amount $ 150,000 Leveraged Amount $ 2,297,264 Total Project Cost $ 2,447,264 Leveraged Private Investment $ 3,500,000 Delta Regional Authority — Mississippi River Port Investments 4 SPEAKER BIOS Mississippi River Economy Summit October 16-17, Memphis, TN Bruce Reid Outreach Specialist Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee Before joining the LMRCC in 2012, Mr. Reid managed conservation and communication projects with the National Audubon Society's Mississippi River Initiative. He also worked for nearly two decades as a reporter for daily newspapers in Maryland, Mississippi and Virginia, specializing in environmental writing. He received a bachelor's degree in English from Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland. Bryan Most V.P. of Global Logistics & Global Sourcing Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Bryan Most, Vice President of Global Logistics, has been with Walmart for 14 years and has led a variety of high performing teams in Supply Chain, Global Transportation, and Global Procurement Logistics. During that tenure, he has used global leverage to create long-term logistics strategies supporting more than 50 sourcing origins for all retail markets by developing collaborative relationships and customer specific supply chain solutions. Bryan currently leads a global team of diverse associates who manage an extensive network of third party service providers to help Wal-Mart's customers around the world save money so they can live better. Bryan is responsible for the Global Logistics teams in Bentonville and Shenzhen, China including Regional Logistics teams in India, Turkey, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Additional responsibilities include the Jones Act Trade team that services the Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico markets. Bryan earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania. Prior to joining Walmart, Bryan held a variety of positions in global transportation with Sea-Land Service, a division of CSX Corporation. Scott J. Sigman Transportation and Export Infrastructure Lead Illinois Soybean Association Scott Sigman serves as the Director of Trade and Transportation assigned to the Farmer Lumpe and McClelland Chicago operating location. Scott manages the transportation and export infrastructure program on behalf of the Illinois Soybean Association, their Board of Directors and staff. This includes strategy development, issues management and project coordination and evaluation. He has most recently been a senior consultant with Informa Economics in Memphis, TN. Prior he was Director, Research and Marketing for the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce. He has previous experience in freight, global logistics, marketing and business development with URS Corporation, IHS Global Insight, Vanguard Services, Ports of Indiana, Transamerica Leasing, Inc. as well as P &O Containers, Inc. /P &O Nedloyd, Inc. Sigman was awarded a MS degree in Economics from the University of London, London School of Economics and Political Scinece, as well as having earned a BA from the University of Wisconsin (Madison) with a double major in Economics and International Relations. Mr. Sigman has two sons who both attend Columbia College of Chicago. Carolyn Hardy President & CEO Chism Hardy Investments Carolyn Chism Hardy is the President and CEO of Chism Hardy Investments, whose goals are to invest in projects that leverage Memphis' infrastructure and utilize talent in Shelby County. She is a native Memphian, graduate of Melrose High School, and the University of Memphis, receiving both her BBA and MBA and is a certified public accountant (CPA). Hardy's career accomplishments highlight her role as a trailblazer in many non- traditional jobs. She started her career at the J. M. Smucker Company where she successfully managed Finance, Quality, and Human Resource before becoming the first African-American female plant manager. As plant manager, she was responsible for manufacturing and distributions supporting the southeastern U.S. as well as export shipments. After a successful career at Smucker, she served as vice president of Services, responsible for national software implementations for Honeywell-POMS Corporation. After, Honeywell, she joined Coors Brewing Company, becoming the first African-American female vice president/GM of a major brewery. In this role, she was responsible for serving the southeastern U.S., and 100 percent of international distribution and military bases around the world. Effective September 1, 2006, she began Hardy Bottling, the first African-American female owned major brewery with the ability to manufacture over 100 million cases. Additionally, in 2007, Hardy started her intermodal business with the first terminal in Memphis. On May 2, 2011, she sold her brewery assets to City Brewing while focusing her career and investments in the intermodal/supply chain sector. As the President and CEO of Chism Hardy Investments, LLC, Carolyn plans to continue to grow her supply chain business by leveraging the transportation evolution and the railroad expansion. Daniel P. Mecklenborg Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary Dan Mecklenborg joined Ingram Barge Company in 1996, as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, and was promoted to Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Chief Legal Officer in 2002. He is responsible for the company's Legal and Claims, Human Resources, and Safety, Training and Environmental departments, and the company's Governmental Affairs function. Prior to joining Ingram, Dan served as Associate General Counsel of The Ohio River Company, a Cincinnati -based barge transportation company, which he joined as Staff Counsel in 1981. Dan has extensive experience in corporate law, including governance and compliance, mergers and acquisitions, environmental compliance, employment and labor law, admiralty law, and negotiating and drafting business agreements. In 2003 he completed a four -year term as a Member and then Chairman of the Inland Waterways Users Board. He currently serves on the Board and Executive Committee of Waterways Council, Inc. and was its Chairman from 2007 through 2009. In 2010, Dan was named to the Board of The Nature Conservancy's Great Rivers Partnership (GRP), which since 2005 has worked to promote the sustainable development of great rivers on four continents. He is currently serving as Chair of GRP. Most recently he has served on the Steering Committee for America's Great Watershed Initiative. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Dan received his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Dayton in 1977 and his Juris Doctor degree from Salmon P. Chase College of Law in 1981. He is licensed to practice law in both Tennessee and Ohio. Dennis Wilmsmeyer President, IRPT and Executive Director, America's Central Port Dennis Wilmsmeyer was appointed executive director of the America's Central Port in Granite City, Illinois effective July 1, 2010. Prior to that, he spent the previous 11 years with the Port District; six of those years as general manager. Wilmsmeyer's responsibilities at the Port District include managing day-to-day operations, developing the Port's 1,200-acre industrial park and business campus, redeveloping a former military base, marketing the many benefits of the Port, attracting new tenants to the property and retaining their numerous current tenants. The Port has grown from 12 tenants in 2001 to over 75 tenants today. Wilmsmeyer credits the enormous success of the Port District's growth and development to a dedicated and extremely talented team of 30 employees all working toward a common goal of bringing business to southwestern Illinois. Wilmsmeyer was appointed president of the national organization, Inland Rivers Ports and Terminals, Inc. in April 2012. He also serves on the Board of the National Waterways Conference, World Trade Center-St. Louis, and Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois. He was recently named to the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Committee. Bruce Lambert Executive Director Institute for Trade & Transportation Studies Mr. Lambert serves as the Executive Director, Institute for Trade and Transportation Studies. ITTS is a multistate research institution formed to assist member states on understanding the relationship of transportation needs to international and commercial traffic. Mr. Lambert has worked for various firms researching trade and transportation activities. At the Corps of Engineers, Mr. Lambert worked on general maritime policy and planning, while also serving as the Secretary to the U.S. Section of the International Navigation Association (PIANC), and worked on technology exchanges with the Latin American maritime community. Prior to joining the USACE, Mr. Lambert worked at the Federal Highway Administration. Mr. Lambert managed the Freight Analysis Framework study; the first large -scale project to map and outline the underlying transportation flows of the United States economy for national and regional policy research. In addition, Mr. Lambert developed performance measures for trucking movements on the interstate system. For his efforts, Mr. Lambert received the U.S. Department of Transportation's Award of Meritorious Achievement in 2004. Before joining FHWA, Mr. Lambert worked as a Senior Economist at Standard and Poor's DRI (now IHS Global Insight), where he examined global maritime shipments and international trade forecasts. Mr. Lambert spent six years at the Port of Long Beach as the Port's Trade Analyst, conducting market research for senior management. Mr. Lambert also spent a year at LSU as a researcher studying the importation of Latin American produce into the Gulf South. After receiving a Bachelor's of Science Degree from Louisiana State University, Mr. Lambert earned a Master's of Science Degree from the University of Tennessee. Congressman Steven Cohen 9th District of Tennessee United States House of Representatives Upon election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006, Congressman Cohen immediately distinguished himself on the Hill for his thoughtful legislation and quick wit. His pointed questioning of Bush Administration officials like Alberto Gonzalez, David Addington, Monica Good ling and Michael Mukasey in the highly influential Judiciary Committee quickly earned Congressman Cohen the reputation as a champion of government accountability and a fierce interrogator. Speaker Nancy Pelosi even referred to him as the "conscience of the freshman class" in 2008. In August of 2008, he was instrumental in passing H.Res.194, a House resolution apologizing for the enslavement and racial segregation of African Americans. This historic legislation marked the first time the United States government has ever apologized for these past injustices. He has remained a steadfast leader on issues of importance to the people of the 9th District, leading the policy debate on issues like infant mortality, universal health care, the economy, crime and criminal rehabilitation, transportation and infrastructure, and of course, education Congressman Cohen has also dedicated himself to providing outstanding constituent service to the citizens of Memphis. The doors of his District Office in the Clifford Davis/Odell Horton Federal Building are always open for constituents, and Congressman Cohen held more than a dozen town halls around the city which often included visiting leaders such as Judiciary Chairman John Conyers (MI-14) and singer/activist Harry Belafonte. He has never faltered in fighting for those who do not have the power bestowed by wealth and advantage, and his goal is as it has always been: to ensure that everyone — regardless of race, class or creed — has the opportunity to achieve their American dream. Charles D. McVean Chairman and CEO McVean Trading & Investments, LLC Memphis, TN. McVean graduated with honors from Vanderbilt University in 1965. He began his trading career in the grain industry, first with Cook Industries of Memphis, TN, and then with the Louis Dreyfus Corporation of New York City, both major international trading firms. Subsequently, McVean spent a number of years with Refco Inc., a large Chicago based futures trading organization. He was one of three principals of the firm. McVean founded McVean Trading and Investments, LLC in 1986. The company conducts extensive research in three broad and interrelated areas: 1) livestock and meats, 2) grains and oilseeds, and 3) global macroeconomics. McVean is a global organization with foreign operations centering in Beijing, Osaka, and Geneva. In the U.S., McVean Trading is nationally recognized as a leading authority on the beef cattle industry. The company manages investments for over 5,000 clients. Based on breakthroughs in lithium battery technology, a new McVean company is now introducing its Aerobic Cruiser Hybrid Cycle. The patented Cruiser is billed as "The World's Most Sophisticated Electric Bicycle," and "The First Truly Capable Human /Electric Hybrid Vehicle." McVean founded what is now The Peer Power Foundation in 2004. The organization's mission is to prepare socioeconomically challenged youth to be professional, productive, and competitive contributors to our society. The concept is to create and implement new processes based on personal accountability, discipline, competition, and incentives, very much like that of the American Free Enterprise System. Peer Power now operates in eleven schools, employing, for pay, over 150 college and high school honor students to tutor and mentor over 1,000 students a day. The improvement shown by foundation "Scholars" is truly exciting. McVean was also instrumental in the founding of The McVean Learning Center at Christ Methodist Day School. McVean is particularly proud of two recent developments. The Memphis City Council recognized him with its Humanitarian of the Year award in 2007 for his successful efforts to improve public education. Very recently, in September 2009, the Peer Power program in Shelby, Mississippi was awarded a $600,000 competitive grant from the 21st Century Foundation Dorchelle Spence Vice President Memphis Riverfront Dev. Corp. Dorchelle Spence is Vice President of the Riverfront Development Corporation, where she is responsible for providing strategic direction as well as overseeing marketing, public relations, advertising, community relations, programming and government relations. Prior to joining the RDC in 2001, she worked with the Memphis Redbirds Baseball Foundation where she was instrumental in the completion of Auto Zone Park, the #1 rated minor league ballpark in the nation, and Toyota Center, an historic rehabilitation office complex. She has worked in the communications and community relations offices of Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation, First Tennessee Bank and Girls Incorporated of Memphis. Ms. Spence is also a contributing writer to both Memphis Parent and Grace magazines and enjoys public speaking. In 2013, Ms. Spence was named a Woman of Excellence by The New Tri-State Defender. In 2003, she was recognized as one of the Top 40 Under 40 by The Memphis Business Journal and in 2001, she was named one of 50 Women Who Make a Difference by Memphis Woman magazine. Ms. Spence earned her MBA from the University of Memphis' prestigious Fogelman College of Business and Economics and is an alumnus of both Leadership Memphis and the New Memphis Institute. A native Memphian, Ms. Spence is married, has one 11-year-old daughter and three young adult stepsons. Congressman Stephen Fincher, TN Co- Chair, Mississippi River Caucus United States House of Representatives Stephen Fincher, 39, is a managing partner in Fincher Farms, a seventh generation West Tennessee based agribusiness. Stephen has been in agribusiness his entire life, and lives in the Frog Jump community of Crockett County, beside his father and brother. At the age of nine, Stephen joined the Southern gospel music singing ministry started by his family over 60 years ago. The Fincher's produce their own music and have recorded many albums. The Southern gospel music singing ministry has performed over 2,000 events all over the Southeast. Stephen has raised money for dozens of community organizations and causes, including the fight against cancer, child abuse prevention, youth sports organizations as well as many events for individuals or families in need. He is a Lifetime Member of the NRA and a member of Ducks Unlimited. Stephen is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and serves on the Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises Subcommittee, the Domestic and International Monetary Policy Committee, as well as the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee. As a successful businessman running a large agriculture operation, Stephen understands capital and labor intensive projects. He believes Washington must get out of the way and allow small business to get back in the business of creating jobs. The path to prosperity is not more Washington control or Washington bailouts but expanding small businesses. Since being elected, Stephen has been working on multiple issues to allow the private sector to create jobs, cut government spending, and make Washington more accountable to taxpayers. Some examples are: H.R. 3606 Reopening American Capital Markets to Emerging Growth Companies Act of 2011 H.R. 1607 The Creating Real Opportunities for Prosperity Act H.R. 3193 Welfare Integrity Act of 2011 Stephen and his wife of 20 years, Lynn, have three children: John Austin, Noah, and Sarah. They live in the Frog Jump community of Crockett County and are active in Archer's Chapel Methodist Church. Dan Overbey Executive Director Semo Port Daniel L. Overbey has been Executive Director of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority (Semo Port) since 1993. He grew up in Sikeston MO and attended Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau MO (BSBA 1974) and the University of Texas at Austin (MBA 1976). His experience includes positions with major railroads (clerk operator, market research analyst, cost analyst, senior economist), trucking companies (warehouseman, salesman, dispatcher, development director, assistant to Dirk Draper CH2M Hill Vice President Dirk Draper has worked on planning and environmental elements of transportation projects for two decades. Dirk holds a BS in agricultural economics from the University of Missouri and an MS in natural resource economics from Colorado State University. Dominik Knoll, Chair World Trade Center Mississippi River Alliance Dominik Knoll is Chief Executive Officer of the World Trade Center of New Orleans, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting international business and trade in Louisiana, U.S. WTCNO consists of over 1,000 corporate members in addition to several hundred individual members, and prides itself on being the state's strongest and most experienced international organization. WTCNO acts as a vertically integrated hub that creates and distributes trade-related information, facilitates community outreach and education through seminars, meetings, and roundtable discussions, and works closely with key industry players and government officials to promote the economic development of the State of Louisiana through trade-related activities. His international business experience in Italy, Germany, Austria, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and the United States is supported by extensive management experience and academic credentials. Knoll is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post and has been featured in several national and international publications including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, China Daily, and others. Knoll is also a regular contributor to conferences such as the World Economic Forum, Clinton Global Initiative, Wall Street Journal ECO:nomics Summit, and others. In 2012 Knoll was appointed by Governor Bobby Jindal to serve on the Louisiana Board of International Commerce, an 18-member board governing all international responsibilities for the state of Louisiana. Knoll also serves on Congressman Steve Scalise's Energy Advisory Group and the executive committee of the International Disaster Conference and Expo. Knoll is a member of the national Council of Competitiveness in Washington, DC and serves on the Executive Advisory Committee of the Council's U.S. Manufacturing Competitiveness Initiative. Knoll holds an MBA Degree from the AB Freeman School of Business, Tulane University, with specialization in Strategic Management and Leadership. In addition, Knoll holds a Master of Science degree in Management from the Business School - University of Innsbruck, Austria. Knoll obtained his professional qualification in business accounting (Rag.) including an Italian Ph.D. (Dottore), from the University of Bolzano, Italy and has studied at Warwick Business School (UK) and Purdue University (US). In 2007, he published his first book in German. He is currently working on his second book. Knoll is a native of Italy and is fluent in English, German, and Italy. Charles Theiling Regional Technical Specialist U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District Mississippi River Valley Division Charles Theiling has degrees in Zoology and Environmental Biology, Aquatic and Fish Ecology (MS), and a PhD in Large River Ecology from Eastern Illinois University, the University of Michigan, and the University of Iowa, respectively. Dr. Theiling started working on large river ecology in 1990 with the Illinois Natural History Survey where he managed a biological field station. A brief period of consulting with Ecological Specialists, Inc. included a focus on macroinvertebrates and rapid bioassessment protocols for impact assessment. Work for the U.S. Geological Survey (1995 -2000) included large system scale summaries for ecological status and trends and cumulative effects assessments. Dr. Theiling also helped compile ecosystem restoration needs to sequence restoration project implementation. Dr. Theiling joined the Corps of Engineers in 2000 and began work on watershed issues which provided an "upstream" perspective that integrates watersheds with their downstream impacts. Dr. Theiling returned to large river work on the Upper Mississippi - Illinois Waterway Navigation Feasibility Study and the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program which clearly defined ecosystem restoration goals for the Upper Mississippi River. Dr. Theiling initiated a mid - career PhD program in 2007 to integrate hydrology, geomorphology, and land cover data to estimate the restoration potential for nearly 3 million acres on the Upper Mississippi River System. Dr. Theiling was appointed to a position asMississippi Valley Division Regional Technical Specialist in Ecological Modeling in 2009. Current interests include aquatic habitat connectivity, watershed nutrient abatement, climate adaptation, Green Infrastructure, and ecosystem goods and services. Mark Nooris Majority Leader Tennessee State Senate Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris represents Tennessee's 32nd District, which is comprised of the eastern part of Shelby County and all of Tipton County, which border the Mississippi River. He was first elected to the Senate in 2000 and as Majority Leader by his peers in 2007. This year he was elected the Chairman of the Council of State Governments, our nation's only organization serving all three branches of state government. CSG is a region-based forum that fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help state officials shape public policy. This offers unparalleled regional, national and international opportunities to network, develop leaders, collaborate and create problem-solving partnerships. Norris serves as an advisory board member of the Mississippi River Corridor — Tennessee and as a board member on the Tennessee State Workforce Development Board. In 2011, he championed getting a National Scenic Byway designation for the "Great River Road Tennessee Trail and Byway." This 185.5 mile corridor interconnects history, culture and recreation. Senator Norris is an attorney with the firm of Adams and Reese LLC and a farmer. He and his wife, Chris, have been married since 1978 and have two sons, a daughter-in- law and grandson. They make their home on a farm in Collierville. Janet F. Kavinoky Executive Director, Transportation & Infrastructure U.S. Chamber of Commerce Vice President, Americans for Transportation Mobility Coalition Janet F. Kavinoky is a nationally recognized expert in transportation policy, funding, and finance. As executive director in the Chamber's Congressional and Public Affairs Division, Kavinoky leads all transportation strategy, policy, and lobbying efforts. She has expertise in developing consensus policy positions among diverse stakeholders and lobbying Congress and executive branch agencies on a wide range of legislative and regulatory matters relating to surface, air, and water transportation. Kavinoky is vice president of the Chamber -led Americans for Transportation Mobility (ATM) Coalition, a nationwide effort by business, labor, transportation organizations, and concerned citizens to advocate for improved and increased federal investment in the nation's aging and overburdened transportation system. In 2012, Kavinoky was the key architect behind the effort of the Chamber and the ATM Coalition to ensure passage of surface transportation legislation, which included the "Make Transportation Job #1" nationwide campaign with TV, radio, and print ads and grassroots outreach and events with local partners. In addition, Kavinoky developed and leads the Chamber's Let's Rebuild America (LRA) initiative to raise the profile of infrastructure issues, broaden stakeholder engagement, and create new opportunities for businesses to influence public policy. As part of LRA, Kavinoky guided a multidisciplinary team to develop and regularly update the groundbreaking Transportation Performance Index. The Index assesses the degree to which surface, air, and water transportation systems are meeting business and economic demands and correlates improvement and decline with economic indicators. Kavinoky received her bachelor's degree in political economy from the University of Wyoming, where she was a Harry S. Truman Scholar. She earned a master's degree in business administration from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.