40 Under 40: Harvey, Houghton, Isom And Jones

For eight years, 40 of the industry’s future leaders have been honored at the Inland Marine Expo with the “40 Under 40” award, which recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions to the inland marine transportation industry in a variety of fields. All 40 honorees were nominated by executives and peers for their hard work and dedication to the industry.

Over the course of 10 weeks, The Waterways Journal is featuring this year’s class. This week we recognize William Harvey, Evan Houghton, Dustin Isom and Earl Jones.

William Harvey

William Harvey, 38, is the implementation and support specialist at TowWorks LLC in Houston.

“[Harvey’s] proactive communication and hands-on approach ensure that clients feel supported at every stage of the implementation process,” said Alie Baker, project manager at TowWorks. “From initial consultations to system customization and post-launch training, he consistently demonstrates a commitment to excellence.”

Harvey’s career began in the U.S. Navy as an electronics technician and later a logistics technician for Logistics Support Inc., which provided assistance to active-duty Navy personnel. Before joining TowWorks, Harvey served as the manager of regulatory compliance at Campbell Transportation Company where he oversaw critical safety and compliance initiatives. He then held multiple positions during his eight-year tenure with E Squared Marine Service, including tankerman, HSE and compliance manager and director of marketing and logistics. 

‘Harvey’s collaborative spirit and team-first mentality make him a valued member of the TowWorks team,” Baker said. “His ability to balance client satisfaction with internal goals has not only advanced TowWorks’ mission but also elevated the company’s reputation as a leader in maritime technology.”

Evan Houghton

Evan Houghton, 38, is the owner and general manager of Jack Tanner Towing Company of Havana, Ill.

Houghton began his maritime career in 2005 as a deckhand with Jack Tanner Towing. He directly oversees all accounting, dispatching, maintenance, compliance and personnel. Even with all the responsibilities as owner, Houghton still captains vessels from time to time as well. 

“Evan has always wanted to do things right, even if it took a little more time or if it cost a little more money,” said Patrick McKinney, auditor and surveyor at PW McKinny LLC. “He maintains his vessels at the highest of standards for the safety of his employees. He also does everything in his power to take care of his employees and treat them like family. As a small operator, Evan Houghton is in my opinion the ‘Gold Standard’ in the maritime industry.”

Dustin Isom

Dustin Isom, 39, is the cleaning crew supervisor of Wepfer Marine of Calvert City, Ky.

As supervisor, Isom is responsible for running the cleaning crew and ensuring the crew’s safety and well-being. Isom also maintains logs for crane and barge information to ensure proper payment of services rendered.

“[Isom’s] dedication to the company and his staff is undeniable,” said Jason Carper, human resource manager at Wepfer Marine of Calvert City. “He not only cares for his staff’s well-being, but he will even bring them to work if they’re having transportation issues. Mr. Isom is a great example of what a leader should be.”

Earl Jones

Earl Jones, 34, is the marine operations manager of Loadstar in Pasadena, Texas.

Jones began his career at Loadstar as a tankerman. His ability to guide others led to his election as the first supervisor of Loadstar’s Houston workgroup, a role he served in for 1.5 years before earning the promotion to operations manager. 

“Earl’s leadership extends beyond operational excellence,” said Laine Peterson, marketing and communications coordinator for Loadstar. “He has played a pivotal role in developing future leaders, mentoring field supervisors, and creating a strong leadership pipeline within Loadstar. He has a deep understanding of both on-the-ground execution and strategic growth within Loadstar.”

Jones is also active in the industry through his involvement with the AWO Tankering Subcommittee.

“His contributions to industry best practices and operational excellence discussions highlight his commitment to advancing best practices in marine operations,” Peterson said.