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Port People: Coos Bay, Detroit, Everett, Maryland

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Coos Bay Fills Vacant Positions and Adds Staff

The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay recently filled vacant senior staff positions and added personnel to assist in project organization, management and implementation. Also filled were vacant security patrol positions at the port’s Charleston operation. 

Paula Avola brings more than 25 years of professional experience to her role as the port’s new finance manager. Previously, she worked as a senior accountant for the Petaluma Health Center, in commercial property financial management, and most recently as a business analyst for the Sonoma County Library in Santa Rosa (CA). Ms. Avola holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the Universitá Cattolica in Milan, Italy. She will oversee the port’s finance staff and work with its board of commissioners and senior management on long-range financial planning and management.

Brooke Walton, the port’s newly-named communications manager, will develop and implement programs involving commercial and recreational marketing, community and public affairs outreach, and general port communications. A graduate of the University of Oregon with a bachelor’s degree in political science, Ms. Walton also earned a commercial pilot’s license and pursued a career in aviation. She previously owned and operated two businesses in the Coos Bay-North Bend area and served as president of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce in 2013. 

Makenzie Marineau joins the port’s expanding communications team as a communications specialist. A native of the Coos Bay area, she is returning home after working in communications and volunteer management in higher education, the non-profit sector and in politics. She holds a bachelor’s degree in new media communications and political science from Oregon State University.

As the port’s office manager, Linet Samson fills a position created to support administrative staff and help the port district operate more efficiently. Her background includes experience in healthcare administration and as a consultant for small business owners and non-profit organizations. She has a BS in genetics and a master’s in agriculture and management from the University of California. She owns Happy Little Horses, an equine-based therapy business.

The port also hired security officers Mike Fisher and Wes Wear for its Charleston marina. Mr. Fisher worked in the timber industry and in security for the past five years in North Bend. Mr. Wear was previously employed by Elite Security Services.

John Loftus Named Executive Director of the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority 

John Loftus was recently appointed executive director of the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority. He most recently served as executive director of the Lake County Port Authority in Ohio and before that as vice president of regional development at the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority and seaport director at the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. 

"The commercial maritime community already provides tremendous benefits to Detroit and all of Wayne County," Mr.  Loftus said. "I look forward to working with this community to encourage more investment, more job creation and more benefits for all of Southeastern Michigan. Also, as a native Detroiter, it’s great to be back home."

"John’s experience with port authorities is unparalleled," said Port Authority Chairman Thomas Orzechowski Jr. "We are thrilled that John is coming aboard and bringing his wealth of knowledge to make a positive impact in the Detroit/Wayne County region."

Everett Deputy Les Reardanz to be the Port’s Next CEO 


Lee Reardanz
Photo/Port of Everett

After a nationwide search, the Port of Everett Commission has selected Les Reardanz to succeed John Mohr as the port’s chief executive officer.

Mr. Reardanz, who will assume his new duties on November 16, is now the port’s deputy executive director, with oversight responsibility for environmental cleanup, public policy, communications, human resources, and legal and contracting activities. He is also a captain in the Naval Reserve and Commanding Office of the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s reserve legal command. 

Before joining the port in 2011, Mr. Reardanz served as the municipal legal advisor at the city of Bellingham. He was also the project manager for the city’s Waterfront District Development, which is a joint effort with the Port of Bellingham.  

Mr. Reardanz earned a BA in History from the University of California, Davis, in 1987 and a JD from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles in 1990. He is able to practice law in the states of Washington and California (inactive) and before the United States Supreme Court, as well as other various federal and military courts. 

Maryland Port Administration Hires New Building Manager for World Trade Center Baltimore 


Samantha Harris
Photo/Maryland Port Administration

Real estate professional Samantha Harris has joined the staff of the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) as building manager for the World Trade Center Baltimore.  

Her career began in 2003 with the Rouse Company, which was later purchased by General Growth Properties. While at General Growth Properties, she assisted in the $110 million redevelopment of the Towson (MD) Town Center and oversaw the $80 million redevelopment of a mall. She also managed assets for Simon Property Group and Montgomery County (MD) Public Schools. 

Her degrees include a bachelor’s in communications from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master’s in counseling and personnel services from the University of Maryland.  

The 31-story pentagonal trade center on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor was constructed in 1977 to a design by architect I.M. Pei. Each office space offers tenants a unique view of Baltimore City and the Inner Harbor and immediate proximity to Baltimore’s Central Business District. The MPA itself occupies one of the office suites. 

"My main goal is to make the World Trade Center Baltimore one of the most sought-after office spaces in Baltimore and bring the building to 100 percent capacity," said Ms. Harris. "We want companies and organizations looking for office space in Baltimore to know what the World Trade Center building has to offer. I’m excited to bring my vision to an iconic landmark in Baltimore." 


World Trade Center Baltimore
Photo/Maryland Port Administration
 

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