A stellar career that's far from over

After a stellar career spanning 31 years with the Panama Canal Authority and during its transition from US to Panamanian control, Capt Orlando Allard saw life on the waterway as a towboat master, pilot and later as a senior administrator. Here, Capt Allard reflects on a career that’s far from over.

Capt Allard has also been Panama’s representative at the IMO in London and at the very heart of more than one of its Conventions, co-founded an International Maritime University, been dean of Panama’s oldest university and the general go-to person when decisions needed taking and jobs needed to be done.

But rather than sitting back and enjoying life, Capt Allard is a busy as ever receiving awards that reflect his lifetime of achievement, sitting on key boards and imparting his extensive knowledge and expertise to a new generation in the maritime sector.

Q. Where were you born and where did you grow up?

A. I was born in the Province of Chiriquí, Republic of Panama. I grew up in Chiriquí and in Panama City and then in the US.

Q.  What was your life like growing up?

A. I grew up in the middle of a large-extended family and was very much loved. They had high hopes for my future since I was the first grandson of the family on my father's side. Growing up I dreamed of traveling all over the world. I was very much into learning about the great cities of the world.

Q. How about your education? Where did you go to school and then to university? In which subject(s) did you graduate?

Read more...