[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 103 (Thursday, July 18, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1094]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO MR. MARK SHEPPARD, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE ALABAMA STATE PORT 
                               AUTHORITY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 18, 2013

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the life of an 
influential and beloved Mobilian who played an instrumental role in the 
growth of the Port of Mobile and the regional economy. Mr. Mark 
Sheppard, Vice President for Trade and Development at the Alabama State 
Port Authority, recently passed away at the age of 61.
  A native of Mobile and a graduate of the University of South Alabama, 
Mr. Sheppard enjoyed a maritime career which spanned more than 30 
years, beginning with a management trainee position for United States 
Lines. He later worked for a number of companies along the Gulf of 
Mexico, including Hapag-Lloyd, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Nedlloyd Lines, 
where he managed direct sales, marketing and integrated logistics.
  Mr. Sheppard joined the Alabama State Port Authority in 2005, where 
he led trade and carrier development for the Authority's intermodal 
investments. Most notably, he is credited--despite a global economic 
recession--with expanding both business and ocean carrier service at 
the authority's new container terminal between 2008 and 2010. That 
trend continued in 2011, when year-over-year container traffic 
increased by another 31 percent.
  His leadership was further evident in 2012, when the Port Authority's 
containerized, steel and export coal volumes all posted significant 
growth. And growth is projected to continue with planned investments in 
intermodal rail, warehousing and terminal upgrades to expand capacity 
and market reach.
  In addition to his responsibilities with the Port Authority, Mr. 
Sheppard also remained active in the broader maritime and international 
communities, serving on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee-
Tombigbee Waterway Development Council and as vice chairman and 
chairman-elect for the Alabama Germany Partnership.
  Alabama State Port Authority Director James K. Lyons reflected on the 
loss of Mr. Sheppard and his valuable contributions to Alabama and the 
Gulf Coast: ``Mark Sheppard's sudden passing comes as a deep shock to 
our maritime and international trade community. He was a key member of 
our team and a good friend.''
  On behalf of the people of Alabama, I wish to extend my personal 
condolences to his family, including his daughter, Jessica, who is a 
member of my Washington, DC office staff, as well as his brother Tim 
Sheppard; and two sisters, Brenda Sheppard and Sonya Bell. You are all 
in our thoughts and prayers.

                          ____________________