40 Under 40 Awards: Abbott, Bailey, Barrios And Best

For the ninth year, 40 of the industry’s future leaders were 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 recipients. This week we recognize Taylor Abbot, Brock Bailey, Jace Barrios and John Best.

Taylor Abbott

Taylor Abbott, 37, is the executive director of the Ohio River Commission, Columbus, Ohio.

The Ohio River Commission commended Abbott, who is newly appointed to the role, on his future-focused infrastructure leadership. As executive director, Abbott will be directly involved with shaping discussions around freight mobility, lock and dam modernization, port development and long-term sustainability of the Ohio River system.

Abbott, who holds a background in public administration and fiscal leadership, was previously elected as Monroe County treasurer and president of Monroe County Land Bank. He has spoken at a variety of events, including at the Kennedy Center’s River Run Festival, on the importance of the maritime industry. Abbott has also served on the board of the Sons & Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen.

“What distinguishes Taylor is his ability to connect history, policy and future investment strategy,” said Hashim Pashtun, program administrator of the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority. “He understands that inland marine transportation is not only foundational to economic competitiveness but also vital to community identity and environmental sustainability. Under 40, he has already demonstrated leadership at the intersection of governance and maritime advancement, positioning him to help shape the future of inland waterway transportation for decades to come.”

Brock Bailey

Brock Bailey, 38, is the Ohio River manager at American River Transportation Company (ARTCo), Mt. Vernon, Ind.

Bailey began his career at ARTCo in 2017, advancing through roles such as fleet supervisor in St. Louis and marine manager in Mt. Vernon. He is known for his accountability, consistency and focus on completing tasks safely, sustainably and with efficiency.

ARTCo said Bailey’s work contributed to the strongest operational and safety performance the Ohio River region has seen since ARTCo began operations there in 2019.

“Brock is deeply committed to continuous improvement and takes a proactive approach to investing in both the region and ARTCo employees,” said Matthew French, general manager of ARTCo. “He prioritizes developing people, strengthening processes and building a culture where employees feel supported, valued and motivated to perform at a high level. Through his operational expertise, safety leadership and dedication to team development, Brock consistently demonstrates the qualities this award is meant to recognize.”

Jace Barrios

Jace Barrios, 35, is the marine maintenance manager at Enterprise Marine Services, Houma, La.

“Jace is a vital member of the Enterprise Marine team and plays a crucial role for the company when it comes to maintenance and repair activities,” said Chris Ulfers, partner at Jones Walker LLP. “He’s wise beyond his years, is extremely motivated and knowledgeable and is always willing to go the extra mile for the betterment of the company.”

John Best

John Best, 39, is the assistant vice president–capacity planning and logistics at Ingram Barge Company, Nashville, Tenn.

Best began his river career nearly 15 years ago as a customer service specialist for Ingram Barge Company. He quickly moved up in roles such as barge maintenance coordinator, logistics service partner and logistics capacity planner. He is a graduate of Western Kentucky University.

“John has a variety of experiences from his almost 15-year career here at Ingram,” said Russ Lampkins, senior vice president of operations, logistics and customer service at Ingram Barge Company. “He applies that knowledge daily and contributes throughout the organization. We are proud of John, his growth, his leadership, commitment to the Ingram Way and his dedication to his family.”

Editor’s Note: Photos from the 2026 Inland Marine Expo 40 Under 40 Awards Celebration are available online. To view a gallery featuring this year’s honorees, attendees and event highlights, visit the Inland Marine Expo website at inlandmarineexpo.com. The annual program recognizes emerging leaders whose contributions are helping shape the future of the inland waterways and maritime industries.