Commissioner Louis E. Sola Honored with Master Key and Honorary Lead Pilot

Federal Maritime Commissioner Louis E. Sola was honored by the Panama Canal Authority (PCA) with the award of its Master Key and Honorary Lead Pilot distinction.

Ms. Ilya Espino de Marotta, Deputy Administrator and Vice President for Operations of the PCA, presided over the January 25th ceremony held in Panama City at the Management Wing of the Panama Canal Complex.

Ilya Espino de Marotta; Deputy Administrator Panama Canal, Commissioner Sola

“The Panama Canal is truly a ‘World’s Wonder’ that left me awestruck on each of the 100 transits I made during my previous career. I am grateful to the Authority for this distinction, I am humbled to join those who have been recognized as Honorary Lead Pilots, and I am proud to claim this distinction,” said Commissioner Sola.

Also attending the ceremony were Stewart D. Tuttle, U.S. Charge d’Affaires to the Republic of Panama; Timothy Cannon, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy Panama; Melissa Rann, Economic Officer, U.S. Embassy; Ms. Marcia Ortega, Resources and Project Management Supervisor for the Panama Canal Authority, as well as other representatives of the Canal’s administrative staff.

Louis E. Sola is a Commissioner with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission. The thoughts and comments expressed here are his own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Commission.