1875-1956
John J. Boland, the son of a Great Lakes sailing schooner captain, started a small shipping brokerage and ship chartering business in 1895. One of his early employees was a young stenographer named Adam E. Cornelius. Despite his waterfront background, Boland was known as a soft-spoken and personable man who became a prominent figure in the Buffalo business community. During his more than 50-year career, he was respected as one of the leaders in the industry and is remembered today for his many significant contributions to Great Lakes shipping.
1882-1953
In 1902, Adam E. Cornelius went to work for John J. Boland who hired him to do clerical work for six dollars a week. His acute business sense soon became apparent and quickly led to the Boland & Cornelius partnership. During the Great Depression, he conceived the idea of changing the company to a self-unloader operation, saving the company and changing the way shipping was done on the Lakes from that time forward. Throughout his lifetime and to the present day, he is considered one of the great pioneers of shipping on the Great Lakes.
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1907 | John J. Boland and Adam E. Cornelius, partners in the Boland & Cornelius shipping brokerage firm, become the first principals of American Steamship Company which they incorporate this year. |
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1953 | Adam E. Cornelius, Jr. becomes president of the company, succeeding his father after his passing this year. |
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1956 | John J. Boland, Jr. becomes chairman of the company, succeeding his father after his passing this year. |
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1962 | Adam E. Cornelius, Jr. becomes chairman and president after the passing of John J. Boland, Jr. |
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1967 | H. Lee White becomes chairman of American Steamship Company after its merger with Oswego Shipping Company. Adam E. Cornelius, Jr. continues as president. |
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1969 | Roger M. Kyes becomes chairman after the passing of H. Lee White. Adam E. Cornelius, Jr. continues as president. |
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1970 | C.T. Chen becomes chairman and CEO upon the passing of Roger M. Kyes. Adam E. Cornelius, Jr. continues as president. |
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1975 | Thomas W. Burke becomes president, succeeding Adam E. Cornelius, Jr. |
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1980 | Thomas W. Burke assumes the additional responsibility of CEO upon the retirement of C.T. Chen. |
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1981 | D. Ward Fuller becomes president and CEO of the company. |
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1991 | Ned A. Smith succeeds D. Ward Fuller as president and CEO. |
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2003 | Jerome K. Welsch, Jr. is appointed president and CEO of American Steamship Company. |
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2009 | Noel L. Bassett, Vice President-Operations, also becomes Acting President of ASC. |
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2010 | David W. Foster becomes president of American Steamship Company. |
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2020 | Kevin P. McMonagle becomes president of American Steamship Company. |
