Captain Brian A. McAllister is the principal owner and president of McAllister Towing and Transportation Company, Inc., a company founded in 1864 by his great-grandfather, Captain James McAllister with a single sail lighter. Today, McAllister Towing is one of the oldest and most diversified marine towing and transportation companies, operating an extensive fleet of tugs, barges, and ferries in the major ports on the US East Coast.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Brian graduated from the SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree in marine engineering and a 3^rd Assistant Engineer’s license. From 1956–1958, he served in the US Navy, including the position of Executive Officer aboard USS Lake County (LST 880). He then went on to sail deep-sea with American Export Isbrandtsen Lines as 3^rd Assistant Engineer.

In 1959, Brian joined the family-owned tugboat company, sailing aboard McAllister tugboats and ferries, obtaining a Master’s license with unlimited pilotage for many of the ports serviced by McAllister. In 1964, Captain McAllister came ashore and became the company’s port captain. In 1974, Brian and other members of the fourth generation purchased the company from the elder generation; the company has since expanded into an additional eight ports and modernized its fleet, which now consists of over 75 tugs.

Captain Brian and his wife, Rosemary, have two children (Buckley and Eric) and four grandchildren. Buckley is Vice President and General Counsel and Eric is the CFO at McAllister Towing and are part of the 5^th generation that will continue to carry the McAllister tradition into the 21^st century.