Members of the American Waterways Operators (AWO), an association representing the tugboat, towboat, and barge industry, have elected Matt Woodruff, vice president of public and government affairs at Kirby Corporation, as the organization’s new board chairman.
AWO members voted on new leaders at the group’s spring convention and barge-in, held May 12-13 in Washington, D.C. Other newly elected officers include Brian Hughes, president of Hughes Bros. Inc., who was elected vice president, and Angela Grett, vice president of corporate affairs for Ingram Barge Company, AWO’s new treasurer.
Woodruff succeeded outgoing AWO chairman Patrick Sutton, senior vice president of business development and planning for American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL).
“AWO is fortunate to have capable, committed member leaders like Patrick Sutton and his predecessors committed to leading our advocacy on behalf of America’s tugboat, towboat, and barge industry,” said Jennifer Carpenter, president and CEO of AWO. “We look forward to Matt Woodruff’s strategic and determined leadership as we fight to end the overly broad, historically long Jones Act waiver that undermines billions of dollars in investments and hundreds of thousands of American jobs provided by the domestic maritime industry. Matt is the leader we need at this consequential time.”
Woodruff connected the Jones Act to “America First” policies, a hallmark of the Trump administration.
“The Jones Act is the foundation of the American maritime industry,” Woodruff said. “This blanket waiver is harming American mariners by outsourcing their livelihoods to foreign carriers, which is incompatible with an America First agenda and with restoring American maritime dominance.
“The waiver has not lowered the price of gasoline or delivered relief to Americans at the pump,” he added. “It is stifling much needed investment in restoring American maritime dominance. Our industry will continue mobilizing to urge the Trump administration and Congress to end the waiver and put American workers first.”
Woodruff also offered a preview of policy and safety priorities for the year ahead. Besides supporting the Jones Act and calling for the end of the waiver, AWO leaders and members in 2026-2027 will advocate for Coast Guard policies that promote safety, efficiency, and innovation; investment in waterways infrastructure; and state policies that enable safe navigation throughout the nation.
