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Louis E. Sola

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Louis E. Sola
Official Photo
Commissioner of the
Federal Maritime Commission
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 23, 2019
Nominated byDonald Trump
Preceded byWilliam P. Doyle
Personal details
Born (1968-01-08) January 8, 1968 (age 56)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Alma materParkland College
Nova Southeastern University
University of Illinois
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1986–1997
AwardsHumanitarian Service Medal - 1994 Cuban rafter crisis

Louis Ernest Sola (born January 8, 1968) is an American businessman and politician, who is currently Commissioner of the Federal Maritime Commission.[1] Sola currently works under Chairman Daniel B. Maffei and alongside Commissioners Rebecca F. Dye, Max Vekich and Carl Bentzel.[2]

On November 15, 2018, Sola was nominated to the Federal Maritime Commission by President Donald Trump and was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 2, 2019.[3] He was sworn into office on January 23, 2019, during the government shutdown for a 5-year term expiring June 30, 2023.[4] The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 provided Sola up to two years holdover period to be replaced or renominated.[5] President Joe Biden renominated Sola to the Federal Maritime Commission on July 11th, 2024 and sent his nomination to the United States Senate the same day.[6][7]

Sola also previously served as a Florida State Commissioner on the Board of Harbor Pilots, where he chaired the probable cause panel for maritime incidents.[8][9]

Early life and education

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Sola was born in Chicago, IL, and was raised in Goodland, Indiana, and the Panama Canal Zone. He received an A.A. in History from Parkland College, where he addressed the 2022 commencement ceremony as the Distinguished Alumni.[10] He received a B.S. in Management from the Nova Southeastern University in 1996; and a M.S. in International Finance from the University of Illinois in 1998. He is a two-time graduate (in Spanish and German) of the Defense Language Institute, Foreign Language Center, located at the Presidio of Monterey, CA.[8]

Early career

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Sola was previously appointed by then-Governor Rick Scott to serve on the Florida Board of Pilots Commissioners where he was responsible for licensing and regulating harbor pilots. He also served on the probable cause panel for maritime incidents. Previously, he was a Sales Executive with Camper & Nicholsons (Fincantieri), Northrop Grumman, and Azimut Benetti. He is a licensed International Ship and Yacht Broker who has constructed over 125 new yachts and ships and is the founder of Evermarine, a Miami based mega yacht brokerage company.[11] Additionally, he served as an adjunct professor at Florida State University.

Sola also worked as a consultant for the Inter-American Development Bank during the United States handover of the Panama Canal.[12]

Military career

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Sola served as a Strategic Debriefer for the United States Army Intelligence and Security Command in Munich, Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall by strategically debriefing refugees from Eastern Europe. Subsequently, he served in Counterintelligence and Counter Narcotics missions in Panama with the United States Southern Command, commanded by future Drug Czar General Barry McCaffrey, during the War on Drugs and the fall of Pablo Escobar. Sola earned the US Army Parachutist Badge (Airborne) and was awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal for his efforts during the 1994 Cuban rafter crisis.[13] His accounts of the resilience of the Cuban people where latter recounted in the Financial Times.[14] Sola has honored his grandfather on numerous occasions for his service and sacrifice during World War II and his encouragement for him to enlist in the US Army.[15][16]

Politics

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Sola previously ran for the United States House of Representatives seat for Florida's 24th congressional district as a Republican political candidate against Democratic Representative Frederica Wilson.[17] Both candidates were removed from the ballot which was cited as a factor that led to the 2018 U.S. Florida Senate election recount.[18] Sola has publicly stated he will not run for Florida's 26th congressional district in 2020.[19] Sola would have been one of the wealthiest members of the United States Congress according to his financial public disclosure.[20] Sola has been featured in the media as a conservative donor and as an early supporter of Donald Trump in 2016.[21][22][23][24] Sola is a strong advocate of America First policy and has endorsed Donald Trump for President in 2020 and in 2024.[25][26]

Federal Maritime Commission

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On April 30, 2020, the Federal Maritime Commission appointed Commissioner Sola to lead "Fact Finding 30," a federal fact-finding investigation on the impacts of COVID-19 on the cruise industry.[27][28] This investigation focused on cruise line performance, ticket refund policy, and the economic impacts of the CDC No Sail Order.[29] Sola recommended an "urgent need for ships to start sailing again" due to the economic impacts on the nation's ports, local governments, and small businesses.[30]

On March 25, 2021, Sola published his "cruise-forward" plan for resumption of cruising focusing upon shore side, crew and passenger vaccinations, while at the same time calling on President Joe Biden to donate vaccines with Caribbean and Central American cruise ports.[31][32] Due to the Canadian ban on cruise ships through 2022,[33] Sola called for modification of the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 that require cruise ships to stop at a foreign port before calling again on a US port, that eventually became the Alaska Tourism Act.[34][35]

Sola also proposed federal consumer protection rule changes to standardize refund practices in the cruise industry in order to protect passengers from cancellations.[36] In an interview with CNBC concerning cruise line mandates for passengers to have COVID-19 vaccinations before boarding, Sola stated, “I feel much safer on a cruise ship than I do flying."[37] Commissioner Sola dedicated his Seatrade Outstanding Achievement Award to seafarers and crew members, saying 'Without them, we wouldn't be here.'[38]

Following COVID-19, Sola has applied his extensive experience in international trade to the work of the Commission in meeting its mandate of ensuring a competitive and reliable supply chain focused on promoting U.S. exports through Office Of The United States Trade Representative and the Export–Import Bank of the United States.[39] His 2024 renomination was publicly supported by 73 different trade, agriculture and transportation industry groups.[40]

Sola has been active advocating for the reduction of Green House Gases in maritime transport through greater efficiency and the use of alternate marine fuels in international trade by reaching out to stakeholders and government to form an "Alternate Marine Fuels Challenge" to reduce emissions.[41] In an open letter to US President Joe Biden, Federal Maritime Commissioner Louis Sola has called for the private sector to form an alternative marine fuel coalition ‘to determine the appropriate standards and benchmarks for seeking progress in decarbonization’, which should also receive government financial support.[42]

Recognition

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Sola was distinguished by the Panama Canal with the "Esteemed Order Bearers of the Master Key" and appointed him "Honorary Lead Pilot".[43] In addition, he was bestowed the 2021 Seatrade Cruise Man of the Year for his work supporting seafarers during the Covid 19 pandemic.[44]

Commissioner Sola was honored by Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners in recognition of his lifelong commitment to public service and promoting vaccines for non-US crew members during the Covid-19 pandemic by receiving the Keys to the County and proclaimed June 18, 2024 as Commissioner Louis E. Sola Day.[45]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Commissioners". Federal Maritime Commission. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  2. ^ "President Donald J. Trump Announce Intent to Nominate and Appoint Individuals to Key Administration Posts". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved 10 July 2019 – via National Archives.
  3. ^ "PN2642 - Nomination of L. E. Sola for Federal Maritime Commission, 115th Congress (2017-2018)". www.congress.gov. 2019-01-02. Retrieved 2019-11-22.
  4. ^ "Maffei and Sola take seats at FMC". FreightWaves. 2019-03-02. Retrieved 2019-11-22.
  5. ^ "President Biden Signs Cantwell-Championed Ocean Shipping Reform Act". U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation. 2022-06-16. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  6. ^ "President Biden Announces Nominees". The White House. 2024-07-11. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  7. ^ "Nominations and Withdrawals Sent to the Senate". The White House. 2024-07-11. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  8. ^ a b "Louis E. Sola". Federal Maritime Commission. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  9. ^ "Louis Sola". The Florida Senate. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  10. ^ "Distinguished Alumnus". www.parkland.edu. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  11. ^ "Sales Broker Lou Sola Joins Northrop & Johnson". Northrop & Johnson. 2019-02-14. Retrieved 2019-09-12.
  12. ^ "Reception and Dinner for Trump Victory Fund (R)". Political Party Time. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  13. ^ "sola-commerce-questionnaire-redacted" (PDF).
  14. ^ sources, Independent Cuban journalist and other media. "Cuba News / Noticias - CubaNet News". www.cubanet.org (in Spanish). Retrieved 2019-09-12.
  15. ^ "Statement of Commissioner Louis E. Sola on Veterans Day 2024". Federal Maritime Commission. 2024-11-08. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  16. ^ "When I hear the National Anthem". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  17. ^ "Louis Sola Ernest". Federal Election Commission. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  18. ^ "'Nightmare in Florida II': The odd ballot that could cost Sen. Nelson the race". NBC News. 12 November 2018. Retrieved 2019-09-02.
  19. ^ "FMC's shipper commissioner". FreightWaves. 2019-07-22. Retrieved 2019-09-02.
  20. ^ "Financial Disclosure" (PDF).
  21. ^ "Donald Trump's supporters in South Florida kick in cash for his re-election". Sun Sentinel. 2017-08-01. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  22. ^ "Read Why These 100 Business Leaders Want Trump for President". Fortune. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  23. ^ "Small business CEO: Trump reminds me of a "NY version" of Reagan". Yahoo Sports. 2017-02-01. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  24. ^ OpenSecrets.org. "Reception and Dinner for Trump Victory Fund (R, )". Political Party Time. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  25. ^ "Election Is Over? Donald Trump's Odds Soar to 'Whopping 9.4% Against Kamala Harris : Photo Louis Sola endorsed Donald Trump". EconoTimes. 2024-10-10. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
  26. ^ "When I hear the National Anthem". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  27. ^ Strassel, Kimberley A. (2021-04-15). "Opinion | Cruise Ships in the CDC Dock". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
  28. ^ "Fact Finding 30". fmc.gov. 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  29. ^ "Cruise passengers struggle refunds amid the pandemic; federal agency report recommends changes". usatoday.com. 2020-07-29. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  30. ^ "'Urgent need for ships to start sailing again': FMC report on Florida". seatrade-cruise.com. 2020-09-23. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  31. ^ "CDC tepid on CLIA request, but meantime FMC's Sola has a plan". Marine Log. 2021-03-25. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  32. ^ "FMC's Sola asks US to share vaccines with Caribbean, Central American cruise ports". seatrade-cruise.com. 2021-05-19. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  33. ^ "Canada Extends Ban on Cruise Ships Until at Least 2022". Travel + Leisure. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  34. ^ "FMC's Sola calls for limited PVSA exemption, diplomatic action to help Alaska". seatrade-cruise.com. 2021-02-11. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  35. ^ Hines, Morgan. "President Biden signs Alaska tourism act to allow cruise ships to visit the state this year". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  36. ^ LaRocco, Lori Ann (2021-08-23). "Federal Maritime Commissioner Sola says agency will weigh in on cruise line refunds soon". CNBC. Retrieved 2021-08-29.
  37. ^ Parkinson, Bruce (2021-08-24). "'Safer Than Flying' Says Federal Maritime Commissioner on Cruising". Cruise Radio – Daily Updates On The Cruise Industry. Retrieved 2021-08-29.
  38. ^ "Seatrade Cruise Awards winners announced". seatrade-cruise.com. 2021-09-28. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
  39. ^ "Commissioner Sola Speaks at Global Commerce Exchange in Miami". Federal Maritime Commission. 2023-11-03. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  40. ^ "ACSA Supports Reconfirmation of FMC Commissioners Bentzel & Sola – The Seam". Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  41. ^ "Commissioner Sola Meets with Senior Leadership of MSC and CMA to Discuss Environmental Issues - Federal Maritime Commission". www.fmc.gov. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  42. ^ Bankes-Hughes, Lesley (2023-11-09). "FMC's Sola calls for a new alternative fuels coalition". Bunkerspot - Independent Intelligence for the Global Bunker Industry. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  43. ^ "Commissioner Louis E. Sola Honored with Master Key and Honorary Lead Pilot – Federal Maritime Commission". Direct Source News. 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
  44. ^ "Seatrade Cruise Awards winners announced | Shorex.org". shorex.org. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
  45. ^ "Commissioner Sola Honored by Miami-Dade County". Federal Maritime Commission. 2024-06-28. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
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