W.R. Coles and Associates
                                                                                       

After working for two large international companies, Ron Coles founded WRCA in 1990 to focus on port and economic development projects. Coles' understanding comes from 39 years of experience, completion of 151 port projects around the country for a variety of clients, and leadership positions in national and regional waterways transportation and trade organizations, including:

♦ Board of Directors, Past-president; Inland Rivers Ports and Terminals (IRPT)
♦ Executive Committee; National Waterways Conference, Inc. (NWC)
♦ President; Tennessee River Valley Association (TRVA)
♦ Board of Directors (Governor appointee); Tenn-Tom Waterway Development Authority
♦ Member; TRB AW020 Inland Waterway Committee
♦ Alternate US Representative (appointed by General Don Riley); international PIANC Inland Navigation Committee

Clients have included:
 

♦ Local public port authorities and private sector port owners/operators
♦ State port authorities and state DOTs
♦ Wood products, chemical, steel, minerals, power and cement companies
♦ Barge lines and railroads
♦ The US Army Corps of Engineers, USDOT, and other federal agencies

After fifteen years of successful operations, WRCA merged for three years (2005-2008) with a larger firm. At the end of 2008, the two firms separated, and WRCA once again operates as an independent entity, providing specialized services for port, multimodal transportation and economic development projects. During the past three years (2009-2011), WRCA has provided services for 24 port projects, including private industry barge facilities, public transportation policy studies, COB feasibility and operations analysis, river services, permitting, engineering design and construction management.