January 16, 2014 – The Chicago River’s new “safety committee” has a new president. Michael Borgstrom was elected president of the Chicago Harbor Safety Committee at a board of directors meeting on Tuesday that was not open to the public. He replaces Susan Urbas, who served as president while the committee, formed last July, started up.

(Left) Michael Borgstrom speaking at a news conference in 2010.

The 52-year-old Borgstrom is also president of Wendella Sightseeing Company. He is the grandson of Albert Borgstrom, who founded Wendella in 1935.

In 2008, Michael served a one-year term as president of the Passenger Vessel Association. He was recently vice president of the safety committee.

Currently, the committee is working on warning signs that boaters will hopefully see on the Chicago River this year. Its next meeting in late March will be open to the public. An exact date and place has not yet been determined.

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