Michael Carter is the Associate Administrator for Environment and Compliance at the Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration (MARAD).  In that capacity he provides executive leadership, oversight and management for the Office of Environment and Innovation, Office of Environmental Compliance, Office of Safety and the Office of Maritime Security. 

In 2010, Mr. Carter launched MARAD’s Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance Program (META) to improve collaboration among Federal, state and local government, academia, and maritime industry stakeholders to address emerging environmental challenges facing maritime transportation.  Research and demonstration efforts have been directed towards issues such as aquatic invasive species in ships’ ballast water and in underwater hull fouling and on port and vessels air emissions, alternative fuels, and alternative energy.  Today, that program serves as a cornerstone in a multi-agency effort to support maritime transportation decarbonization and climate change mitigation. 

Mr. Carter and his staff maintain a strong international presence on these same issues serving in various capacities on the US Delegation to the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) and the International Organization of Standardization (ISO).

Before joining the Maritime Administration in August 1995, Mr. Carter was in a private environmental law practice.  He holds a Juris Doctorate from Catholic University of America (Columbus School of Law) and a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Wildlife Resources (Magna Cum Laude) from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.