Ex-MarAd Official Heads AAPA

Sang Yi was appointed president and CEO of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), effective May 4. He joined the association after serving as the deputy administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration, bringing more than 20 years of federal service experience to the role. He served as acting administrator of MarAd until Stephen Carmel was confirmed by the Senate.

For more than two decades, Yi served as an officer in the Navy Reserve and held a U.S. Coast Guard-issued Merchant Marine license.

“Through his extensive experience in both the executive and legislative branches of government, Sang is a proven leader who understands the critical role ports play in driving economic vitality and safeguarding national security,” said Chett Chiasson, chairman of the AAPA board of directors and Port Fourchon executive director.

Before joining MarAd, Yi served as a staffer in the U.S. House of Representatives for almost 15 years, most recently as the director of investigations for the House Committee on Homeland Security, where he led congressional oversight and investigations related to various national security matters, including transportation and maritime security. He previously served as the chief investigative counsel and subcommittee staff director for the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Yi began his congressional career at the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, where he ultimately served as senior policy adviser. Prior to his congressional career, he served in the intelligence community.

Yi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in logistics and intermodal transportation from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, a Master of Arts degree in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College and a J.D. from the George Washington University Law School.