Port People: Indiana, Coos Bay, Tampa Bay

Miriam Robeson Appointed to Ports of Indiana Commission

Governor Mike Pence has appointed Miriam Robeson to the Ports of Indiana Commission. An attorney for more than 25 years, Ms. Robeson focuses on agriculture law and has operated her own law practice since 1994.

She is also co-owner of Robeson Farms Inc., a family farming operation near Flora (IN) that produces corn, soybeans and wheat. She was inducted into the Carroll County Agricultural Assoc. Hall of Fame in 2009. Her family has been farming in Carroll County since the 1880s.

"All of our commissioners have strong business backgrounds that support our port operations, and Miriam's legal and agricultural experience will add another component to that expertise," said Ports of Indiana CEO Rich Cooper. "Over 40 percent of our ports' shipments are ag-related products and having a commissioner with strong ties to agriculture and the farming community will be extremely beneficial as we focus on the continued growth of agribusiness at our three ports."

Ms. Robeson previously served as a deputy attorney general in the Consumer Protection Division of the Indiana Attorney General's Office, and before that was an associate attorney with Truitt & Herr in Lafayette (IN).

She provides legal counsel to agriculture associations, businesses, farmers, government entities and non-profit organizations, and has presented seminars on non-profit governance through the Indiana Non-Profit Resource Network and workshops on agriculture business planning through Purdue University's Extension Programs.

She is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, American Bar Association and the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, and also serves as volunteer corporate counsel for the Carroll County Economic Development Association as well as secretary for the Carroll County Food Pantry Inc.

Ms. Robeson received a bachelor's degree in management from Purdue University and her law degree from Indiana University School of Law.

The port commission consists of seven members appointed by the governor to staggered terms of four years. 

Established in 1961, the Ports of Indiana is a statewide port authority operating the ports of Jeffersonville and Mount Vernon on the Ohio River and Burns Harbor on Lake Michigan.

Miriam Robeson
Photo Copyright by the Ports of Indiana

Coos Bay selects John Burns as new CEO

The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay Port Commission has selected John Burns as its new chief executive officer.  Mr. Burns currently serves as president of Burns Resources Group, Inc. (BRG), a consulting firm specializing in improving operational and business performance of organizations within all aspects of the marine transportation system. 

His start date at the port will be December 1. The port commission amended current CEO David Koch’s contract to provide for a November 30th termination along with four months of agreed consultation. The commission offered Mr. Burns the position with a starting base salary of $175,000, along with reimbursement up to $67,600 in relocation cost.  

Mr. Burns has worked with ports in various ways. In 2010, he was successful at the redelivery of approximately 15,000 vessels used in the aftermath of the BP Deepwater Horizon explosion. Earlier, he served as vice president and general manager for Hornbeck, a supplier of technologically advanced vessels to the offshore oil and gas industry. He also served 10 years as president for Maritrans Inc.

Mr. Burns graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Pennsylvania.  He also studied at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations Collective Bargaining Program and the Center for Creative Leadership’s "Developing the Strategic Leader Program." 

"During a time where the port is continuing to strive forward to be competitive in the port and maritime business, I feel confident in Burns to provide the executive leadership to take us to the next level," said Port Commission President David Kronsteiner.

Tampa Bay Real Estate Manager Craig Roberts Awarded CCIM Designation 

Craig Roberts, real estate project manager for Port Tampa Bay since the year 2000, has been designated a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) by the CCIM Institute. The designation was awarded during the institute’s annual governance meetings October 29 in Austin (TX).

The CCIM designation is awarded to commercial real estate professionals upon successful completion of an advanced analytical curriculum and presentation of a portfolio of qualifying industry experience. The curriculum addresses financial analysis, market analysis, user decision analysis and investment analysis—the cornerstones of commercial investment real estate. CCIMs are recognized experts in commercial real estate brokerage, leasing, asset management, valuation and investment analysis.

Mr. Roberts holds a B.S. in business administration from Florida Southern College and master’s degree in real estate and urban analysis from the University of Florida.

 
Craig Roberts, CCIM
Photo/Port Tampa Bay