Port People: Canaveral, Everett, Jacksonville, Palm Beach, Saint John

 

The Port of Everett Commission on November 1 appointed retired supply chain manager Bruce Fingarson to fill the vacancy created by the resignation August 29 of Port Commissioner Troy McClelland. 

 

Mr. Fingarson graduated from Washington State University with a degree in business administration, and spent 36-years working in Everett in supplier management for The Boeing Company.

 

Mr. Fingarson said he applied for the appointment because of his fondness for port and particularly the international trade aspect of its business. While at Boeing, he was part of the team that worked to get a direct port of call for the 777 jet aircraft program from Japan. 

 

Mr. Fingarson was sworn in at the port commission meeting on November 7. The appointment is effective through the next regular port election, in 2019, at which time contenders for the position, including Mr. Fingarson if he chooses to run, will have to stand for election for the balance of the unexpired term. Thereafter, anyone seeking to run for the position will stand for election in 2021 for the next 6-year term. 

 

The other commissioners are Tom Stiger and Glen Bachman. 

 

 

 

 

The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) has added two experienced executives to its leadership team.

 

Transportation management professional James Bennett, P.E., is joining JAXPORT as senior director, facilities development. In this position, Mr. Bennett will direct the port’s marine and landside infrastructure development and manage all engineering and construction operations related to capital improvements. In addition, he will coordinate with federal, state and local agencies involved in the management and completion of JAXPORT’s major growth projects, including harbor deepening.

 

Mr. Bennett is a licensed professional engineer with extensive experience in senior transportation positions, including a decade as planning manager for the Florida Department of Transportation’s District Two, which encompasses 18 North Florida counties. He most recently served as the project director for JAXPORT’s general engineering contractor, working directly with port personnel on the engineering, planning, design and permitting of major development initiatives. Mr. Bennett is also an elected member of the Baker County (FL) board of commissioners.

 

Retired Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Tammy Brown joins JAXPORT as director, public safety and security. Sgt. Brown will direct all law enforcement, physical security, safety, and emergency management and preparedness services in support of more than 25,000 port employees, tenants and customers. She will also serve as lead advisor to the CEO during activation of the JAXPORT Incident Management Team.

 

 

 

The Port of Palm Beach recently announced two staff promotions in its operations department.

 

As manager of operations and security, Rick Placeres will oversee day to day operations, working with tenants to facilitate scheduling and cargo business. He will collaborate with Alan Fawcett to streamline inter-departmental communications, control costs, create efficiencies, and promote a safe work environment. Formerly the port’s compliance manager, Mr. Placeres has worked for the port district since August 2015.

 

Mr. Fawcett, newly promoted to facilities superintendent, will continue to manage activities throughout the port’s grounds, buildings, berths and railroad. His previous role was facilities foreman and train master. This past September, he celebrated his 21-year employment anniversary with the port.

 

Messrs. Placeres and Fawcett report directly to Kenneth L. Hern, senior director of operations, security, facilities and railroad.

 

  

 

 

 

Canada’s Federal Transport Minister recently appointed Dr. Shelley Rinehart to a three-year term as a port users representative on the board of directors of Port Saint John, effective September 28, 2017.

 

Dr. Rinehart is a career educator, with more than 18 years’ experience as a leader in post-secondary business education at the University of New Brunswick Saint John, including dean of the faculty of business.  She also held the elected position of deputy mayor for the City of Saint John (2012-2016).  While completing her academic studies, and since accepting her current position as director of the MBA Program, Dr. Rinehart has served on numerous committees, boards and agencies, as well as written, collaborated and reviewed dozens of academic articles on marketing, public policy, and effective communications.  

 

An extremely active community volunteer with two decades of service in a wide variety of organizations, Dr. Rinehart currently is involved in leadership roles with YMCA, Elementary Literacy Foundation, RPC.  She is also 

 

The port authority board consists of seven members, including one representative each of the federal, provincial and municipal governments and four appointed by the federal government to represent port users.

 

The other board members are Chair Philip Brewer, Vice Chair Allen Bodechon, David Emerson, Donna Gates, Lisa Keenan, and Thomas O’Neil.