Port People: Beaumont, Bellingham, Canaveral

Beaumont Port Official John Roby to Retire in February

John Roby, director of corporate affairs for the Port of Beaumont, plans to retire in early February.

Mr. Roby joined the port in 1979 as a public information representative after working in the media and advertising in Southeast Texas. He was subsequently promoted to sales and public affairs manager, transportation manager; director of customer service, and, finally, his current position in 2013.

As director of corporate affairs, he has been responsible for customer service, including transportation service providers, business partners and shippers, and maintaining the port's tariff. He also supervises the public relations and government relations programs for the port, working with community leaders, and legislative and regulatory agencies on the state and federal level.

In his 36 years with the port, Mr. Roby has been active in industry and trade organizations including the AAPA Public Relations and National Defense committees, the Port Authority Advisory Committee of the Texas Department of Transportation, the International Forest Products Transportation Association, Southwest Association of Rail Shippers, Texas Ports Association, Gulf Ports Association, Sabine District Transportation Club, Sabine Propeller Club and the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce Government and Public Affairs and Transportation divisions and the Steering Committee of the Lamar University Center for Advances in Port Management.

"During his tenure at the Port of Beaumont, John Roby has become well known and well respected in the port and maritime industries," said Beaumont Port Director & CEO Chris Fischer. "He has been an invaluable member of the Port of Beaumont staff and he will be truly missed both personally and professionally."

We at AAPA share those sentiments. John Roby has been a wonderful friend, a great colleague and the consummate professional. We wish him calm seas and fair winds in the years ahead.

Bellingham Port Commission Welcomes New Member, Selects 2016 Officers

Bellingham Port Commissioners welcomed a new member and elected officers for 2016 at their first meeting of the New Year on January 5.

Bobby Briscoe, a fourth-generation commercial fisherman and past president of Puget Sound Crab Fisherman Association, was sworn in the newest port commissioner.

"I am pleased to welcome Bobby Briscoe to the Port’s Board of Commissioners," said Port Executive Director Rob Fix. "Commissioner Briscoe brings a unique skill set to the Board with over 40 years of experience working as a commercial fisherman out of Squalicum Harbor. His experience as a long-time member of our working waterfront and as an independent businessman will be invaluable as we develop infrastructure to support our maritime economy and recruit businesses to bring family-wage jobs to Whatcom County."

The commissioners than proceeded with the election of officers, selecting Michael McAuley as president, Commissioner Briscoe as vice president, and Dan Robbins as secretary.

Commissioners also determined who would serve on local boards for 2016:

• Whatcom Council of Governments: Michael McAuley
  
• Washington Public Ports Association: Dan Robbins
  
• Whatcom County Economic Development Investment Program Committee: Bobby Briscoe
• Western Crossing (Shared Port and Western Washington University Development Entity): Dan Robbins
  

The board of commissioners is a non-partisan, three-person elected body that oversees all Port of Bellingham operations by providing policy direction and decisions in public meetings.

Bellingham Port Commissioners (left to right) Bobby Briscoe, Michael McAuley, and Dan Robbins
Photo/Port of Bellingham

Canaveral Commission Chooses Veteran Shipping Line Executive Capt. John W. Murray as New Port CEO

Canaveral Port Authority Commissioners on January 8  agreed to the appointment of shipping line executive Capt. John W. Murray as the next chief executive officer of Port Canaveral.

Mr. Murray currently is the President and CEO of Hapag-Lloyd USA, LLC, a global liner shipping company in Tampa that operates about 150 modern container ships and transports more than five million containers per year.

"We believe our port and our community will be well served having Capt. Murray at the helm," said Commission Chairman Jerry Allender. "He brings strong business experience and leadership skills that will help the port navigate to our next level."

Mr. Allender said he hopes to include a negotiated contract with Mr. Murray on the commission’s January 20 meeting agenda.  

Outgoing CEO John E. Walsh’s last day is January 21. If necessary, Port Canaveral CFO Rodger Rees will step into the CEO role in the interim.

 
Capt. John W. Murray