James R. Barker, Chairman
A recognized expert and industry leader in marine transportation, Mr. Barker has skillfully steered The Interlake Steamship Company as its Chairman since taking the company private in 1987. He is also Vice Chairman of Moran Towing Corp. and Mormac Marine Group, Inc. and Chairman of SeaStreak, LLC.
Prior to the purchase of Interlake, Mr. Barker was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Moore McCormack Resources, a position he held since joining the company in 1971. During the period from 1971-88, Moore McCormack grew from $50 million to more than $800 million in revenues. In 1975, Mr. Barker was named Outstanding Chief Executive for Transportation by Financial World. Before joining Moore McCormack, Mr. Barker was Executive Vice President of Temple, Barker & Sloane, Inc., a management consulting firm that he co-founded in 1969.
During the Reagan Administration, Mr. Barker served as a member of the Services Policy Advisory Committee of the United States Trade Representative. He also served on the Business Advisory Committee of the Transportation Center at Northwestern University, on the Board of Visitors of Columbia College, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Harvard Business School from 1982 to 1992. Mr. Barker has served on various Boards of Directors, including the boards of GTE (1976-2000), Verizon (2000-2007) and Brink’s (2000-2007).
Mr. Barker received a B.A. from Columbia University and an M.B.A. with distinction, from Harvard Business School. He holds an Honorary Doctor of Science from the Maine Maritime Academy and also served four years in the U.S. Coast Guard.