Busy, busy in Iraq as June 30 approaches

...it looks like a govermment is getting to it's feet. The real work of the government will take place at the Ministerial levels.

PRESS RELEASE

Coalition Provisional Authority

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ambassador Bremer Appoints U. S. Coast Guard Captain

Manson K. Brown, Senior Advisor For the Ministry of transportation

Thursday, May 6 ? Today, Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) Administrator Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III announced the appointment of U.S. Coast Guard Captain Manson K. Brown as Senior Advisor for the Ministry of Transportation.

In his new position, Captain Brown will work closely with Transportation Minister Benham and offer assistance on Ministry operations. Also, he will serve as the direct point of contact between the Ministry and Ambassador Bremer. The Ministry of Transportation is responsible for overall management of Iraq?s transportation infrastructure and oversees many of the new projects aimed at rebuilding and modernization of Iraq?s transportation system.

?Captain Brown will be a valuable addition to the Ministry of Transportation. He brings with him a depth of experience that will fit well with the Ministry of Transportation?s mission and will support the work of the CPA in these crucial days leading up to the June 30 transfer of sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government,? said Bremer. ?He will play a significant role supporting the Minister, to ensure that the Ministry?s mission is successful and Iraq?s Transportation demands are met.?

A native of Washington, DC, Captain Manson K. Brown graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1978 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He holds a Masters of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. He is a registered professional civil engineer in the state of Florida. In 1999, he earned a Masters of Science degree in National Resources Strategy at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University.

From 1999-2002, Captain Brown served as the Military Assistant to the United States Secretary of Transportation where he managed projects and issues related to all modes of transportation. In 2001, he served as Acting Deputy Chief of Staff to U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta. In May 2003, Captain Brown became the Chief of Officer Personnel Management Division at the Coast Guard Personnel Command. In this capacity, he coordinated job assignments for other Coast Guard Captains and oversaw the processes of promotions, separations, assignments, and the evaluation system for the 7000 active duty members of the Coast Guard Officer Corps.

His numerous military decorations include the Legion of Merit, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Coast Guard Commendation Medals, the USDOT Transportation 9-11 Medal, and three Coast Guard Achievement Medals. He was honored in 1994 to be selected as the first recipient of the Coast Guard?s Captain John G. Witherspoon Award for Inspiration Leadership.