Port People: Philadelphia, South Louisiana
Print this Article | Send to Colleague
James T. McDermott Jr., executive director of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA), announced September 23 that he will retire April 15, 2016. By then, he will have served at PRPA for 25 years, almost 22 years of them as executive director.
Mr. McDermott joined PRPA as its chief counsel in 1991, after working as an assistant district attorney for the City of Philadelphia since 1980. He was appointed executive director on May 13, 1994, assuming what was an interim role during the nationwide search for a port director. In short order, however, the PRPA board, the governor’s office, and the Pennsylvania legislature decided to keep Mr. McDermott at the helm.
In the letter notifying Gov. Tom Wolf of his decision to retire, Mr. McDermott wrote: "I have enjoyed my time at the Port Authority and I am very proud of the collective work we were able to accomplish on behalf of the Port, the City, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."
That work included getting PRPA on its feet during the earliest days of its creation (when the state-sponsored PRPA replaced the city-run Philadelphia Port Corporation in 1990); presiding over the complex Delaware River Channel Deepening Project; and advancing PRPA’s Southport expansion project.
In 1994, PRPA hosted the annual convention of the American Association of Port Authorities.
During his two-plus decades at the port, Mr. McDermott worked with six governors and a succession of legislatures to push forward port capital projects and market initiatives. On-dock warehouse space, the complement of container cranes, highway and rail access to the port, expanded ocean liner services, and a new food distribution center - the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market – are among the milestone achievements of his port career. These efforts proved fruitful, leading to six consecutive years, through 2014, of double-digit cargo growth at the Port of Philadelphia.
Mr. McDermott has received numerous accolades, including the Friend of Chile Award from the Chilean and American Chamber of Commerce; Man of the Year by both the Philadelphia Maritime Society and the Traffic Club of Philadelphia; and the Scout Mariner Award by the Cradle of Liberty Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
James T. McDermott, Jr.
Photo/Philadelphia Regional Port Authority
South Louisiana Port Commissioner Fryoux Retires
J. Raymond Fryoux was recognized for more than seven years as a South Louisiana port commissioner during the port commission regular meeting last month. Mr. Fryoux retired from the commission on July 16, completing a tenure that began March 3, 2008. During last month’s regular board meeting, Commission President D. Paul Robichaux and Executive Director Paul G. Aucoin presented him with a commemorative clock in appreciation for his service.
Mr. Fryoux had already made his mark in the maritime industry prior to his appointment to the port commission. For more than 35 years, he owned and operated tankerman services, specializing in loading and unloading oil and chemicals from vessels, terminals, and refineries. Later, he formed his own consulting firm, concentrating in barge and maritime transfer.
"Raymond is to be commended for his years of dedicated service to the Port of South Louisiana," said Mr. Aucoin. "During his seven plus years serving as a commissioner, the port experienced tremendous growth. Although we will miss him, we wish him good health."
Retired South Louisiana Port Commissioner J. Raymond Fryoux admiring commemorative clock presented to him by Port Executive Director Paul G. Aucoin (left) and Commission President D. Paul Robichaux (right).
Photo/Port of South Louisiana
Back to AAPA Seaports Advisory
