I was doing a little research today about Dubai Ports World, the company the Bush administration was going to let run crucial US Ports.
I found something interesting (which I haven't seen discussed hardly anywhere):
According to a January 24 press release on the company's website, President Bush nominated one of its senior executives, Dave Sanborn, to be Maritime Administrator, which the press release notes is "a key transportation appointment reporting directly to Norman Mineta the Secretary of Transportation."
More from the press release, and the suprising lack of info on this nomination from whitehouse.gov ...
Wow, I thought. I don't know exactly what this means, but given the "heck-of-a-job-Brownie" nature of this administration it certainly is interesting. So I headed to whitehouse.gov to see their announcement about the nomination, considering the press release says there's supposed to be a confirmation process and all.
I looked and looked and looked, and I couldn't find the announcement ANYWHERE. I searched for the guy's name, I looked at the personnel announcements in January of this year and December of last. Nothing.
Is there a there here?
Here's the text of the press release from the DP World:
Dubai, 24 January 2006: - Global ports operator DP World today welcomed news that one of its senior executives, Dave Sanborn, has been nominated by US President George W. Bush to serve as Maritime Administrator a key transportation appointment reporting directly to Norman Mineta the Secretary of Transportation and Cabinet Member.
The White House has issued a statement from Washington DC announcing the nomination. The confirmation process will begin in February.
Mr Sanborn currently holds the position of Director of Operations for Europe and Latin America for the Dubai-based company
Mohammed Sharaf, CEO, DP World said:
"While we are sorry to lose such an experienced and capable executive, it is exactly those qualities that will make Dave an effective administrator for MarAd. We are proud of Dave's selection and pleased that the Bush Administration found such a capable executive. We wish him all the best in his new role."
Ted Bilkey, Chief Operating Officer, DP World said:
"Dave's decades of experience in markets around the world, together with his passion for the industry and commitment to its development, will allow him to make a positive contribution to the work of the Maritime Administration. We wish him well for the future."
Mr Sanborn, a graduate of The United States Merchant Maritime Academy, joined DP World in 2005. He previously held senior roles with shipping lines CMA-CGM (Americas), APL Ltd and Sea-Land and has been based, besides the US, in Brazil, Europe, Hong Kong and Dubai during his career. He has also served in the US Naval Reserve.
Mr Sanborn is due to take up his new role based in Washington DC later in 2006.
UPDATE: Ok, so I did finally find the
announcement on whitehouse.gov. Turns out that their search function is really crappy... Anyway, isn't the fact that this guy was nominated just prior to this company taking over strike anyone as a wee bit odd?