The Honorable Steven Blust has a resumé in international transportation and trade that is second to none in the industry. Recently co-founding Blust Intermodal Advisors, he continues his work in the industry as a trusted advisor.

“It is time to give back to an industry that was so good to me,” says Blust, President of The Containerization and Intermodal Institute (CII), now in the 63rd year of its mission to promote and support the business of international trade and directly intermodal container transportation.

“It is CII’s commitment to educating the next generation of supply chain industry leaders that drew me to this organization more than a decade ago,” says Steve Blust. “I particularly enjoy the collaborative spirit of the people on the board as we work toward a common goal. We represent every facet of the industry, serving as facilitators to advance our education mission so everyone interested in this business has the opportunity to become a leader.”

While CII scholarships do not represent massive sums of money, they can allow someone to buy a used car to get to night classes or pay for a few semesters of books or purchase a much-needed laptop. “The sums we award often just make the difference in allowing someone to complete or even start the journey to a profession.”

Steve became CII President in January 2020, a year during which the institute had to cancel both its prestigious Connie award events because of the Covid-19 pandemic and also the year that the CII scholarship program will have awarded some $1 million in financial aid since it began the mission in 1992.  Blust himself has had a remarkable education, both at the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point and an MBA from Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business.

He began his career in pricing at what was then Delta Lines and then Lykes Brothers Steamship Company, both in New Orleans. Later on, as Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission under President George W. Bush, the Honorable Steve Blust found that early experience invaluable. “It was helpful to have had a broad range of experience,“ he says. “Working on the regulatory side with pricing early on was so helpful in my position at the FMC.”

Other career stops along the way included management positions at both the ports of Jacksonville, FL, and Tampa before being tapped by President Bush for the FMC position, where he remained for nearly five years until joining IICL. It was at this time Steve Blust accepted an invitation to join the CII board where he quickly volunteered to head the Education/ Scholarship Committee. “It was a calling. We were able to raise additional scholarship funds from the vast array of industry leaders and help so many of the next generation fulfill their career vision.”

He enjoys and respects the good cross section of the industry on the CII board. “And we are always seeking new talent to help us meet our mission,” says Blust. As a Kings Point graduate, Steve Blust laments the fact that there are few jobs under the U. S. flag. “It takes four years to train a mariner and there just aren’t enough to support a vibrant American merchant marine,” he notes.

He doesn’t have a favorite job. “They each had their great points and I am pleased I had all those experiences.” He adds, “IICL and CII allowed me to get back to my container roots and tie all the pieces together.”

Steve and his wife, Sharon, call Maryland home these days. CII feels very fortunate to have his leadership on its team. “It is truly worthwhile,” says Blust. “It shows that the industry really cares and respects education.”