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CANAL ADMINISTRATOR HONORED FORHIS LEADERSHIP AND STEERING THE HISTORIC EXPANSION OF THE PANAMA CANAL
PANAMA CITY, Panama, April 8, 2009 – In another testament to his leadership and service to the Panamanian people, the Texas A&M University Zachry Department of Civil Engineering today awarded Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta (pictured right and below) with the 2009 Distinguished Graduates Award. Mr. Alemán Zubieta received the honor for his professional achievements to date, including his current role at the ACP, the autonomous government agency that manages the Panama Canal.
Mr. Alemán Zubieta earned dual bachelor of science degrees in civil and industrial engineering in 1973 and since, most notably served as administrator of the Panama Canal Commission under the Americans and eventually, after the handover of the Canal to the Panamanians, the ACP. When U.S. ownership of the Canal was transferred to Panama December 31, 1999, the ACP became the sole manager of the waterway, shifting its operations from a profit-neutral utility to a market-oriented business model. Mr. Alemán Zubieta is currently overseeing the ACP’s $5.25 billion Expansion Program, which will double Canal capacity and allow more traffic and the transit of longer, wider ships.
Mr. Alemán Zubieta remains involved with the University as an active member of the External Advisory Board of International Programs, and he volunteers with the A&M club in Panama and hosts visiting Texas A&M officials. Mr. Alemán Zubieta also assisted the University’s Department of Nautical Archeology to excavate a Panama shipwreck dating back to the 1500s. In recognition of these efforts, he received the University’s 2004 Outstanding International Alumnus award.
About the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering Distinguished Graduates Award
Texas A&M University’s Zachry Department of Civil Engineering established the Distinguished Graduates Award in 2000. This award is intended to recognize and honor former students who have excelled in the civil engineering profession as well as highlight the significant contributions and achievements of these individuals.
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 Web site: http://www.pancanal.com/.
