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AWO'S ANNE DAVIS BURNS PROMOTED TO VICE PRESIDENT - PUBLIC AFFAIRS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The American Waterways Operators (AWO), the national trade association for the tugboat, towboat and barge industry, announced today that Anne Davis Burns has been promoted from Director - Public Affairs to Vice President - Public Affairs.

In announcing the promotion, AWO Chairman of the Board Chris Parsonage took note of the substantial record of results which Ms. Burns has compiled during her tenure with AWO, including the effective prosecution of AWO's Industry Image Campaign, the development of an ongoing Congressional Education Program, and improving many other aspects of AWO's public affairs work and communication efforts. AWO President Tom Allegretti also recognized this strong record in stating, "Anne has very effectively applied her expertise to build a coordinated program of public affairs activities that have enhanced the industry's image and projected its message. We have been enormously impressed by how much she has accomplished in so short a time."

Ms. Burns joined AWO in October 1999 with more than 20 years experience in public affairs in Washington in both the public and private sectors. Her previous experience includes positions as Director in the public affairs practice of Burson-Marsteller, and Director in the lobbying firm of Black, Kelly, Scruggs & Healey. She also served as Assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Defense Representative on the U.S. delegation to the historic Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland. Ms. Burns holds a Masters degree in national security studies from Georgetown University and a B.S. degree with honors in education from the University of Wisconsin.

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