News Story

PIANC USA Wins International Award for "Best Section"
and Other Highlights from the 2012 AGA

At the recent PIANC 2012 Annual General Assembly (AGA) in Valencia, Spain, the US Section took home the Award for "Best Performing National Section" for 2011. Each year, the PIANC international Secretariat recognizes one country with this distinction. The Honorable Jo-Ellen Darcy (ASA-CW) accepted the award on behalf of the US Delegation. She thanked the US Commissioners, volunteers, and staff for their dedication and hard work, particularly for organizing the successful Smart Rivers 2011 Conference.

PIANC USA had a full delegation to this year's AGA, led by Ms. Darcy and the USACE's DCG-CEO Major General Michael Walsh. Other members of the delegation included Ms. Anne Cann, Mr. James McCarville, Dr. Robert Engler, Mr. Dale Miller, Mr. John Headland, Mr. Edward Schmeltz, Ms. Lillian Almodovar, Mr. Joseph Mantey, Ms. Kelly Barnes.

During the AGA meeting Ms. Darcy gave a presentation on the 2014 AGA and Quadrennial Congress which the US Section will host in San Francisco (May 30 — June 5, 2014). The new PIANC International President, Mr. Geoffroy Caude from France, proposed several new initiatives, including: 1) evaluation of PIANC working group publications, how they are used, how many are sold, etc.; 2) social networks, how they might be used to increase PIANC's visibility; 3) strengthening partnerships with sister organizations such as IAPH; and 4) establishing a platform for new technical ideas. Other highlights of the meeting included technical presentations on the Panama Canal expansion and the impact of the tsunami on ports and navigation infrastructure in Japan.

The US Section hosted a networking reception on the evening prior to the AGA. It was an excellent opportunity to network with delegates from other countries. As well, since it was his first time attending the AGA, Ms. Darcy was pleased to introduce the other countries' delegates to PIANC USA's new President, Maj. Gen. Walsh. Attendees of note included Mr. Geoffroy Caude (President of PIANC, France), Mr. Louis Van Schel (Secretary-General of PIANC International, Belgium), Mr. Yutaka Sunohara (President of the Japanese Section and former Director-General of Port and Harbors Bureau, Ministry of Land Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan), Mr. Yves Morin (Chairman of the Inland Navigation Commission, France), Mr. Esteban Lefler (Chairman of the Maritime Navigation Commission, Spain), Mr. Elio Ciralli (Chairman of the Recreational Navigation Commission, Italy).

US delegates also participated in several committee meetings to take advantage of the fact that the international members were together. Members of the Young Professionals Commission (YPCom) held a meeting. Planning for the 2013 technical visit was the main focus of the discussion, with the group leaning towards a visit to the Panama Canal in the fall of 2013.

The AGA was followed by the Mediterranean Days technical conference on May 23 — 25, which focused on issues related to ports and navigation infrastructure. The conference also included an excellent tour of the Port of Valencia by boat.

Photo Gallery

Click on photos for slide show

Reception: Ms. Darcy introducing PIANC USA’s new President, Maj. Gen. Walsh, at the networking reception hosted by the US Section on the evening prior to the AGA.		Best Section Photo:The US Section took home the Award for “Best Performing National Section” for 2011.
Port Tour: Mediterranean Days technical conference attendees on the tour of the Port of Valencia. Ms. Anne Cann, Secretary of US Section, and Mr. John Gillespie, Hon. VP. PIANC, UK Section.		Port of Valencia
YP photo: YPCom Meeting (left to right) Alireza Kebriaee (Iran), Kai Egil Heggestad (Norway), Pablo Arecco, YpCom Chair (Argentina), Matthias Bleck and Ingrid Dispert (both from Germany) and Kelly Barnes (USA).

revised 18 June 2012