
Staff
Confidential Assistant: Anna D’Aprile
Office of the Chairman Staff
Chief of Staff: Mary T. Hoang
Deputy Chief of Staff: Lauren Vint
Senior Advisor Legislative/Public Affairs: John DeCrosta
Public Affairs Specialist: Melina Reilly
Program Support Specialist: Vacant
Contact
Phone: 202-523-5911
Email: ADaprile@fmc.gov
Biography
Louis E. Sola was designated Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission by President Donald J. Trump on January 20, 2025. He was originally nominated to the Commission by President Trump on November 15, 2018, to a term expiring on June 30, 2023. The United States Senate confirmed his nomination on January 2, 2019, and he was sworn into office on January 23, 2019. Chairman Sola was a 2018 candidate for Florida’s 24th Congressional District in his hometown of Miami, Florida.
Chairman Sola was previously appointed by then-Governor Rick Scott to serve as a Commissioner on the Florida Board of Pilots Commissioners in 2015. As a Commissioner of the Board of Pilots, Chairman Sola was responsible for licensing and regulating harbor pilots and served on the Probable Cause Panel for Marine Accidents.
Between 2005 and 2018, Chairman Sola was a licensed ship and mega yacht broker who served as Chief Executive Officer of Evermarine, and as an executive with prestigious yachting firms Northup and Johnson Yacht and Campers and Nicholsons (including winning the Cannes – Azimut Benetti Sales Award).
Between 1998 and 2004, Chairman Sola served as a consultant with Berkshire Capital and Arden and Price while raising his family in the Panama Canal Zone. During this time, he authored, inter alia, studies for the Inter-American Development Bank regarding the creation of a Central American Index fund through the region’s equity markets. Chairman Sola also developed international finance strategies focusing on the maritime sector in Latin America (including ports, free trade zones and ship repairs) as well as management of greenfield projects.
Chairman Sola served in the U.S. Army between 1986 and 1997 as a strategic debriefer and as a counter intelligence agent. He served the U.S. Army’s Intelligence and Security Command in Munich, Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall by strategically debriefing refugees from Eastern Europe. Subsequently, Chairman Sola served the U.S. Army’s Southern Command as a Spanish linguist involved with counter intelligence activities in Panama during the War on Drugs in the 1990’s. Mr. Sola earned the US Army Parachutist Badge (Airborne) and was awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal for his efforts during the Cuban Refugee Crisis. He has also received the National Defense Service Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Army Commendation Medal and has received the Army Achievement Award three times. He is a two-time graduate of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, Presidio of Monterey, CA (Spanish, German).
Chairman Sola earned his A.A. in history from Parkland College; a B.S. in Management from the Nova Southeastern University and a M.S in international finance from the University of Illinois, and served as an adjunct professor at Florida State University between 1999 and 2001 where he taught classes in small business, finance and entrepreneurship. He is an avid fan of Miami Marlins baseball and has two children, Carolyn and Anthony Sola.
Special Programs
Fact Finding 30
Cruise Refunds or Complaints
If you would like assistance with a cruise problem please contact: complaints@fmc.gov
Recent News
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Chairman Sola Meets with Danish Ambassador
Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Louis E. Sola met Monday with Ambassador of Denmark to the United States Jesper Moller Sorenson. The two discussed strengths of the bilateral U.S.-Denmark relationship as well as a variety of…
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Statement of Chairman Louis E. Sola: Speech at AAPA Legislative Summit to Highlight FMC Agenda & Priorities
I am looking forward to addressing the 2025 American Association of Port Authorities Legislative Summit later this month and highlighting issues of interest and concern. Seaports are vital economic engines providing benefits to Americans well…
Categories: Louis E. Sola
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Statement of Chairman Louis E. Sola: Chinese Maritime Influence and Iran’s Shadow Fleet Threaten Global Trade Stability
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) regularly participates in the Global Maritime Regulatory Summit with counterparts from the European Union and the People’s Republic of China to discuss competition issues related to the shipping industry. Over…
Categories: Louis E. Sola
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Statement of Chairman Louis E. Sola on Using a U.S. Sovereign Wealth Fund to Protect the Panama Canal
The increased presence and influence of the People’s Republic of China in Panama, particularly in and around the Canal, is troubling and must be addressed. Just as President Theodore Roosevelt used public funds to invest…
Categories: Louis E. Sola
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Statement of Chairman Louis E. Sola to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation – Fees and Foreign Influence: Examining the Panama Canal and Its Impact on U.S. Trade and National Security
Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and distinguished members of the Committee: Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to address the vital role the Panama Canal plays in U.S. trade and the…
Categories: Louis E. Sola
Upcoming Chairman Appearances
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Chairman Sola Speaking at Seatrade Cruise Global 2025
April 9, 2025 | Miami, FL Chairman Louis Sola will participate on a panel at Seatrade Cruise Global 2025 that explores the topic of “Maritime Policy: Planning Today for Maritime Fuels of the Future”. Information…
Past Chairman Appearances
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Chairman Sola Delivering Keynote Address at AAPA Summit
March 19, 2025 | Washington, D.C. Chairman Louis E. Sola will deliver keynote remarks at the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) 2025 Legislative Summit. The summit agenda and information on costs to attend can be…
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Commissioner Sola Speaking at Event Exploring Decarbonizing the Maritime Sector
November 19, 2024 | Dania Beach, FL Commissioner Louis Sola will be on a panel at the LNG Bunkering Summit 2024 where he will speak on the topics of transport strategies and incentives for greener…
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Commissioner Sola Speaking at Global Commerce Exchange
October 31, 2024 | Fort Lauderdale, FL Commissioner Louis Sola will deliver remarks at the Global Commerce Exchange, an event being held in conjunction with the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. More information about FLIBS,…
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Commissioner Sola Speaking at LNG Event in Panama
October 18, 2024 | Panama City, Panama | Commissioner Louis Sola will deliver remarks at the 4th International GNL Global Forum, an event focused on liquified natural gas projects and bunkering in Latin America and…