PANAMA CITY, Panama, August 31, 2004 – The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Board of Directors announced yesterday that effective tomorrow Engineer Manuel Benitez has been designated the acting deputy administrator of the ACP.
“Engineer Manuel Benitez has made important contributions to the Canal through his tenacity and hard work. Over the last four years, he has headed a department that embodies the new philosophy of the waterway – maximizing the Canal’s resources for the benefit of the country,” said Administrator Alberto Alemán Zubieta.
Engineer Benitez has been in charge of the Industrial Services Department, responsible for operating and maintaining the water supply, electric energy and water-chilled air conditioning system for the Canal. The Industrial Services Department also manages the operation of the shipyard, which serves to maintain the Canal’s industrial and floating equipment.
Engineer Benitez began his career at the Panama Canal in 1978. He has held several positions at the Canal, including: acting manager of the High Voltage Electricity Branch, manager of the Utilities Maintenance Branch of the Maintenance Division, manager of the Power Branch and manager of the Electrical Division.
The position of deputy administrator recently vacated upon the appointment of Dr. Ricaurte Vasquez to Minister of Finance and Economy and to the concurrent position of chairman of the ACP Board of Directors.
Engineer Benitez holds a bachelor’s degree in Electromechanical Engineering from the Technological University of Panama. He also holds post-graduate studies from Cornell University.
About the Panama Canal Authority (ACP)
The ACP is the autonomous agency of the Government of Panama in charge of managing, operating and maintaining the Panama Canal. The operation of the ACP is based on its organic law and the regulations approved by its Board of Directors. For more information, please refer to the ACP’s website: http://www.pancanal.com/.
