Christina E. Correale
Photo/Maryland Port Administration
Duluth Seaway Port Authority Names New Facilities Manager
Jason Paulson has joined the Duluth Seaway Port Authority as facilities manager. He will serve as a liaison with tenants, service and governmental agencies, private contractors and other property users to derive maximum safe and efficient use of port authority-owned land, structures, facilities, equipment and other assets.
Mr. Paulson stepped into his new role on November 5 after eight years as operations manager in Duluth for port authority tenant Lake Superior Warehousing (LSW), overseeing cargo loading and vessel discharge on the docks and managing warehouse operations at Clure Public Marine Terminal.
Earlier, he worked as operations manager/trainmaster for the Union Pacific and CN-IC Railroad and before that as a land surveyor and GIS analyst for Livgard Surveying, Inc. A former U.S. Marine Corps officer and naval aviator, he graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a double major in history and political science.
"With his rail, maritime and warehousing experience plus a solid working knowledge of our terminal and all of our facilities, Jason is uniquely qualified to provide us with an almost seamless transition in this position," said Vanta Coda, Port Authority executive director. "He is a great addition to our team."
The ‘seamless transition’ Mr. Coda referenced was the port authority’s move in August to expand the role of its former facilities manager, Jim Sharrow. As director of port planning and resiliency, Mr. Sharrow now oversees the agency’s capital programs, maritime policy, risk management and security plans, and its involvement in regional planning initiatives.
Long Beach Harbor Commission Hires Chief of Staff
The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners has selected U.S. Marine Col. Richard Jordan as chief of staff. The position coordinates all administrative and communications functions for the board, serves as a personal adviser on general issues, makes recommendations on public policy issues, and coordinates trade missions and conferences, among other duties.
Col. Jordan most recently served as director of enlisted professional military education at the Marine Corps University in Quantico (VA), overseeing approximately 280 Marines and civilians at six educational academies around the globe. Previously, he was the strategy and policy division chief for the Middle East for the United States Central Command, from June 2011 to June 2014. In that role, he interacted on a daily basis with civilian leadership from the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
He was promoted to colonel in 2011, and has been responsible for as many as 400 Marines. He deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, 2005 and 2008. From 1993 to 1999 he served with a Marine light attack helicopter squadron. He joined the Marines in 1990, starting at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, where he studied to become a naval aviator and helicopter pilot.
Col. Jordan was born in Houston, graduated from Sam Houston State University in Texas with a BS degree in Criminal Justice, and earned a master’s degree in strategic studies from the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama.
"Col. Jordan was selected after a careful and thorough search to find the ideal candidate," said Harbor Commissioner President Lori Ann Guzmán. "He has the leadership, motivation, and the tenacity needed to work with the commission, the harbor department’s executive team, the port’s customers and tenants, and the community."
He is scheduled to start at the port on December 7.
New York/New Jersey: Port Authority Names Interim General Counsel
Richard J. Holwell – a former federal judge with nearly 45 years of experience in the legal profession – has been appointed interim general counsel of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, the agency announced November 2.
Judge Holwell, a partner of the law firm of Holwell Shuster & Goldberg LLP, will serve as the bi-state agency’s interim general counsel while a nationwide search is conducted for a permanent successor to former Port Authority General Counsel Darrell Buchbinder, who retired recently after more than 35 years of service.
In his new position, Judge Holwell will oversee the agency’s law department, which is composed of 65 lawyers and outside counsel who handle litigation, contract, employment, finance, leases, public securities and other legal matters, while maintaining his practice at his firm.
"Judge Holwell is one of the most respected attorneys in our region, having served with distinction on the federal bench following a long and eminent career in private practice," said Port Authority Chairman John Degnan. "We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Judge Holwell’s legal stature and broad experience to lead our law department during this period of transition."
Judge Holwell began his legal career in 1971 in private practice, becoming a partner at White & Case LLP and a member of that firm’s Management Board. During his 32 years at the firm, he specialized in securities, complex commercial litigation, antitrust, bankruptcy and financial market matters, as well as civil and criminal investigations.
On September 17, 2003, following his nomination by former President George W. Bush, he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate for a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
During his nine years on the federal bench, Judge Holwell handled several high profile civil cases, including a 2008 ruling that New York City could lawfully require fast food restaurants to post calorie information on their menus. Judge Holwell also presided over notable criminal cases involving organized crime, terrorism and financial fraud, including the insider trading trial of Galleon Group founder Raj Rajaratnam.
During his time as acting general counsel, Judge Holwell will remain a partner at his firm and will continue to serve the firm’s clients.
North Carolina State Ports Authority Appoints New CFO
Alherd Kazura has joined the North Carolina State Ports Authority as chief financial officer.
He comes to the assignment with more than three decades of experience in the in the container shipping, terminal management and cruise industries, most recently senior vice president, corporate business development, at Horizon Lines. Previously, he was employed in various capacities by Cunard Line, Scandinavian World Cruises, Sea-Land Service, Inc., and CSX World Terminals. He joined Horizon Lines in 2004, holding positions in corporate strategy, finance, business development and operations.
"Alherd brings a wealth of experience to North Carolina Ports," Chief Executive Officer Paul J. Cozza said. "His key leadership roles within the industry will provide further knowledge and direction to our organization."
The state ports authority, whose assets include the ports of Wilmington and Morehead City and inland terminals in Charlotte and Greensboro, closed its most recent fiscal year with record profit an 18 percent jump in container volumes.
