Remembering Two Legendary Port Leaders

In the first few days of October, two of the industry’s longest-serving port leaders passed away … one from the result of a tragic accident and another from natural causes.

On Oct. 4, Port of Grays Harbor District 2 Commissioner Jack Thompson succumbed to a head injury he sustained after falling five days earlier in Santiago, Chile. Commissioner Thompson and his wife, Trish, were in Chile for AAPA’s 107th Annual Convention in Valparaiso. On the opening day of the convention, attendees participated in a moment of silence to honor Commissioner Thompson.

In a press release, Port of Grays Harbor Executive Director Gary Nelson acknowledged the passing of Commissioner Thompson as “a tremendous loss,” spoke of his legacy of economic development and job creation, and thanked AAPA staff, the Port of Valparaiso, the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Department of Commerce “for providing support and resources during this difficult time.”

The third-longest serving port commissioner in the Port of Grays Harbor’s 107-year history, Commissioner Thompson joined the Port Commission in 1994 and was serving his 5th term when he passed away.
Commissioner Thompson’s accomplishments over the past quarter-century include expanding the port’s portfolio of cargoes to include dry bulk, liquid bulk and ro-ro, in addition to the traditional wood-based commodities such as logs, lumber, pulp and paper. He also led efforts to attract employment opportunities to the area through manufacturing and seafood processing and was a staunch supporter of longtime tenants that provided the foundation for the growth during his tenure on the Port Commission. An economic development advocate, Commissioner Thompson worked with other leaders to ensure the assets of Satsop Business Park provided economic opportunities for the citizens of Grays Harbor.

After the convention ended, as attendees were traveling home from Valparaiso, they learned that on Oct. 10, a great force of nature and a Great Lakes legend – Davis Helberg – had died peacefully at his home in Esko, Minn., after battling cancer. Mr. Helberg, who was a past AAPA Chairman of the Board (1994-95) and a frequent presenter at AAPA seminars and conferences, retired from the Duluth (Minn.) Seaway Port Authority in 2003 after 24 years, making him the longest serving port director in the Great Lakes, and among the longest serving of all the nation's ports.

After beginning his career as a Great Lakes carrier deckhand, Mr. Helberg worked as a newspaper reporter, vessel agency employee, port public relations director, and president of a stevedoring company. He became the Duluth Seaway Port Authority’s executive director in 1979, and, beginning in 1985, he repeatedly served as a member of AAPA’s Executive Committee, Legislative Policy Council, and as a member of its Board of Directors. He also served as chairman of both AAPA’s Projects and Publications and Curriculum committees.

“We mourn the recent loss of two well respected port industry leaders,” said AAPA President and CEO Kurt Nagle. “Davis Helberg was an industry icon and a good friend. He was devoted to the port industry, AAPA, and his beloved home port of Duluth. Commissioner Jack Thompson dedicated over 20 years of valuable service to the Port of Grays Harbor, leading the way to bring myriad economic development opportunities and jobs to the community. Both will be sadly missed and long remembered.”

AAPA honored Mr. Helberg with its ImPORTant Service Award at its 2002 Annual Convention in Palm Beach, Fla.