Trump Appoints Louis E. "Lou" Sola as Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission
From Ken Miller, Senior Transport Journalist
Washington, D.C. — On January 20, U.S. President Donald J. Trump officially designated Louis E. “Lou” Sola as the new Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). Sola has been a Commissioner of the FMC since January 2019 and succeeds Daniel B. Maffei in this leadership role, acting as the chief executive and administrative officer of the Commission.

Expressing his gratitude for the appointment, Sola stated, “I am humbled by President Trump designating me Chairman and I am grateful for his confidence in my ability to lead the Federal Maritime Commission. The Commission plays a vital role in enhancing the competitiveness of American businesses, facilitating access to foreign markets for U.S. vessels and companies, and fostering economic growth for our nation. We will continue this essential work while seeking more opportunities to apply the Commission’s authorities to benefit U.S. companies and consumers.”
Before joining the FMC, Chairman Sola had a diverse career as a soldier, entrepreneur, and public servant. He served in the U.S. Army for 12 years, focusing on counterintelligence. After his military service, he transitioned into consulting and later founded a company specializing in yacht and mega-yacht sales. Additionally, Sola served as a Commissioner on the Florida Board of Pilot Commissioners prior to his appointment to the Federal Maritime Commission.
Sola also acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor, stating, “I appreciate all the good work my colleague Daniel Maffei accomplished during his tenure as Chairman. He demonstrated strong leadership when the Commission faced supply chain congestion issues. It was a pleasure to work alongside him, and I value how he empowered individual Commissioners to tackle issues aligned with their strengths and experiences.”
Louis E. Sola was initially nominated to the FMC by President Trump on November 15, 2018, and was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 2, 2019.