Jill Bessetti is the Southern Region Vice President for The American Waterways Operators (AWO). AWO is the tugboat, towboat, and barge industry’s advocate, resource and united voice for safe, sustainable and efficient transportation on American’s waterways, oceans and coasts.
Retiring at the rank of Commander, after a 21-year career in the United States Coast Guard, she joined the AWO staff in May of 2024. Her experience with the USCG in regulatory oversight was focused on vessel inspections (both foreign and domestic), emergency response, and waterways and facility management. She helped lay the groundwork for Subchapter M implementation in the Eighth Coast Guard District as the D8 Towing Vessel Coordinator from 2016-2024. Now with AWO, Jill’s focus is on representing the over 300 member companies of AWO to advocate for protection of the Jones Act, build and maintain the formal quality safety partnership with the USCG, and represent and promote the maritime industry.
Jill is a member of the New Orleans Mariners Club, board member of the New Orleans area Propeller Club, and ADMIRALTY, a networking group for young professionals in the maritime industry. She serves on the advisory board for the Louisiana Maritime Academy, SCI’s Lifesaving award subcommittee, participates in We Work the Waterways events, serves as representative on the Joint Hurricane Protocol team with GICA, and is an adjunct professor of Environmental Science.
Jill holds an undergraduate degree in Biology and Master’s degrees in both Environmental Management and Policy and Teaching.
