John Jamian

John E. Jamian is an American businessman, former U.S. government official, and Michigan State Legislator. He served as Deputy and later Acting Maritime Administrator, the head of the U.S. Maritime Administration, an agency of the United States Department of Transportation, from 2003 until 2006. He was confirmed as Deputy Maritime Administrator by the Senate on May 7, 2003 and became Acting Maritime Administrator February 12, 2005. Prior to his service at the Maritime Administration, Jamian was elected to three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1991 to 1996. From 1997 to 2001 he served as Executive Director of the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority and from 2001 until his appointment as Deputy Director in 2003 as the Executive Director the Armenian Assembly of America. In 2011 Jamian resumed his role as Executive Director at the Port of Detroit.

Jamian entered politics in 1990 when he ran as a Republican candidate for State Representative in Michigan's 40th District. After winning a tightly contested primary and subsequent general election, he was sworn into office in 1991. Jamian served three terms in the State House, stepping down after 1996 to honor his commitment to term limits.

As a State Representative, he Chaired the House Health Policy Committee and the House Committee on Port and Maritime Affairs. He also served as Vice Chair of the House Insurance Committee and Co-Chaired the United States Canada Relations Committee for the Midwest Council of State Governments.

In 1997 John was appointed by Governor John Engler to serve as Executive Director of the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority. During his time at the Port of Detroit, he led the effort to secure a $6.2 Million state grant as part of the Clean Michigan Initiative. The grant money was used to redevelop portions of the Detroit waterfront, including the construction of the Detroit Riverfront Promenade.

In 2000, Mayor Dennis Archer appointed Jamian to the Detroit 300 Commission as Chairman of the "Sail Detroit" Planning Committee. As Chair he was responsible for the planning and organization of a Tall Ships parade, one of the highlight events at Detroit's tricentennial celebration in 2001.

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