AAPA Seaports Advisory

June 20, 2019

Former Ocean Carrier Executive is Association’s Unanimous Choice for CEO

AAPA announced today that it has unanimously chosen Christopher J. Connor as the association’s next president and chief executive officer. Mr. Connor, the former Global CEO of Wallenius Wilhemsen Logistics (WWL), will begin transitioning into his new role on September 23, eventually succeeding Kurt Nagle, AAPA’s president and CEO since 1995.

Chris Connor has a track record of transformational leadership in the ocean shipping industry. This, combined with his deep industry knowledge and institutional tenure, makes him uniquely qualified to lead AAPA successfully into the future.

Chris is most excited about the port industry’s enormous economic impact in the Western Hemisphere, and the opportunity to harness that economic vitality in the best interest of all the association’s members.

We look forward to welcoming Chris on September 23.

Port Projects: Brownsville, Vancouver

The Port of Brownsville is closer to deepening the Brownsville Ship Channel after receiving a key permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to advance the Brazos Island Harbor Channel Improvement Project to its construction phase. The Port of Vancouver has begun construction for the Centerm Expansion Project and South Shore Access Project. These projects are expected to be complete by the beginning of 2022.

Environment: Duluth, New Orleans, Oakland

The Duluth Seaway Port Authority and its terminal operations on Rice's Point earned high marks in the Green Marine environmental performance report. Port NOLA has expanded their EV fleet with the help of the Clean Fuel Transition Fund for Public Fleets. This funding helped the Port offset the costs of two plug-in hybrid electric F-150s equipped with extended range technology, including a high voltage lithium battery pack and regenerative braking. Port of Oakland Commissioners have approved an air quality plan intended to drastically cut diesel and greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the Port’s maritime operations. The plan, called the Seaport Air Quality 2020 and Beyond Plan, envisions a zero-emissions operation in the future.

Port People: Palm Beach, Tampa Bay

The Port of Palm Beach has hired Yaremi Farinas as the Port’s Public Information Officer and Communications Specialist. Port Tampa Bay has hired Brian G. Giuliani as its new Vice President of Operations.

Visit the AAPA Career Center for Current Port Employment and Business Opportunities

Project Engineer, Corpus Christi, Texas; Port of Corpus Christi

Senior Project Engineer, Corpus Christi, Texas; Port of Corpus Christi

Associate Project Engineer, Corpus Christi, Texas; Port of Corpus Christi

Director of Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Port of Everglades

Program Manager, Nationwide, United States; Green Marine

Project to Senior Level Civil and Structural Engineers – Port Infrastructure, Everett, Washington; Reid Middleton

Deputy Executive Director-Financial Operations, Seattle, Washington; Sound Transit

Senior Environmental Specialist, Corpus Christi, Texas; Port of Corpus Christi

Environmental Permitting Specialist, Corpus Christi, Texas; Port of Corpus Christi

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