Port People: Houston, Seattle

Houston City Council Reappoints Dean Corgey to Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority

Dean Corgey
Photo/Port Houston

The Houston City Council recently reappointed Dean Corgey to the port commission of the Port of Houston Authority.  He was first appointed to the port commission in January 16, 2013, and serves on its Pension and Benefits Committee.

Mr. Corgey has 40 years of maritime experience, including working as a merchant mariner, elected union official, regulatory advisory board member and maritime industry advocate. He has been vice president of the Seafarers International Union (SIU) for the Gulf Coast region since 1990. He supervises SIU activities from Charleston (SC) to Brownsville (TX), including Puerto Rico and hiring halls and offices in Houston, New Orleans, Jacksonville, Mobile, Port Everglades and San Juan. He oversees a staff of 25 representatives and administrative assistants while representing 7,500 members. He also serves as vice president of the international union.  

Mr. Corgey is a trustee for the Seafarers Pension Plan, Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan, Joint Employment Fund, Training/Safety Fund and Transportation Institute. He serves as a vice president of the Texas AFL-CIO; secretary-treasurer of the West Gulf Ports Council of the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department; and on the executive board of the Harris County AFL-CIO.

He is a member of the National Defense Transportation Association, American Maritime Partnership and the Navy League of the United States. He is a past member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Area Maritime Security Committee for the Port of Houston/Galveston and chaired the City of Houston Ethics Committee. He served on the U.S. Coast Guard Towing Safety Advisory Committee and the board of the Houston Maritime Association.

Mr. Corgey attended Southwest Texas State University and graduated from the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point (MD) with a chief engineer’s license.
Port commissioners serve two-year terms without pay.

Port of Seattle CEO Ted Fick Resigns

The Port of Seattle Commissioners accepted the resignation of CEO Ted Fick on February 2 at a special meeting convened for this specific action.

"We accept the resignation of Ted Fick, and acknowledge his desire to return to the private sector," said Commission President Tom Albro. "We are currently working through the details of his departure and will defer further comment until those details are resolved."

Chief Operating Officer Dave Soike will serve as interim CEO. Mr. Soike has more than 35 years of experience at many levels and lines of business at the Port of Seattle.

A public process for a replacement will begin later this year.