Max M. Vekich (born 1954 or 1955) is an American politician and labor leader who serves as a commissioner of the

Federal Maritime Commission The United States Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is an independent federal agency based in Washington, D.C. that is responsible for the regulation of oceanborne international transportation of the U.S. It is chaired by Daniel B. Maffei. His ...

. A member of the

Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to: *Democratic Party (United States) Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to: Active parties Africa *Botswana Democratic Party *Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea *Gabonese Democratic Party *Demo ...

, Vekich previously served as a member of the

Washington House of Representatives The Washington House of Representatives is the lower house of the Washington State Legislature, and along with the Washington State Senate makes up the legislature of the U.S. state of Washington. It is composed of 98 Representatives from 49 ...

from 1983 to 1991.

Early life and education

Vekich was born and raised in

Aberdeen, Washington Aberdeen () is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States. The population was 17,013 at the 2020 census. The city is the economic center of Grays Harbor County, bordering the cities of Hoquiam and Cosmopolis. Aberdeen is occasi ...

. He earned an associate degree from

Grays Harbor College Grays Harbor College is a public community college in Aberdeen, Washington. Founded in 1930, the college sits on a campus overlooking the town of Aberdeen and its seaport on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Additional "learning centers" are locat ...

and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and history from the

University of Puget Sound The University of Puget Sound (UPS or Puget Sound) is a private university in Tacoma, Washington. The university draws approximately 2,600 students from 44 states and 16 countries. It offers 1,200 courses each year in more than 50 traditional an ...

Career

Vekich has previously worked as a longshoreman and labor leader. He was also a member of the

Pacific Maritime Association The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) is a non-profit organization based in San Francisco, California that represents employers of the shipping industry on the Pacific coast.Robert Wright. "US supply chains face lengthy turmoil despite port dea ...

. He served as a member of the

from 1983 to 1991 as a

Democrat Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...

. In 2009, Vekich was an unsuccessful candidate for a seat on the

Seattle Port Commission The Port of Seattle is a government agency overseeing the seaport and airport of Seattle, Washington, United States. With a portfolio of properties ranging from parks and waterfront real estate, to one of the largest airports and container t ...

Federal Maritime Commission

On June 23, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Vekich to serve as a commissioner of the

. Hearings were held before the

Senate Commerce Committee The United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is a standing committee of the United States Senate. Besides having broad jurisdiction over all matters concerning interstate commerce, science and technology policy, a ...

on October 20, 2021. The committee favorably reported the nomination to the Senate floor on November 17, 2021. Vekich's nomination expired at the end of the year and was returned to President Biden on January 3, 2022. President Biden resent his nomination the following day. The committee favorably reported the nomination on February 2, 2022. Vekich was confirmed by the

United States Senate The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and pow ...

on February 10, 2022. Vekich was sworn into office on February 15, 2022.

Personal life

Vekich lives in

West Seattle West Seattle is a conglomeration of neighborhoods in Seattle, Washington, United States. It comprises two of the thirteen districts, Delridge and Southwest, and encompasses all of Seattle west of the Duwamish River. It was incorporated as an i ...

with his wife, Marcee Stone. He has three adult children from a previous marriage.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vekich, Max Living people People from Aberdeen, Washington University of Puget Sound alumni Democratic Party members of the Washington House of Representatives Federal Maritime Commission members Year of birth missing (living people) Biden administration personnel