The AAPA Seminar for Members of Port Governing Boards, held June 19-21 in Montréal, featured several new topics and sessions this year based on suggestions provided by AAPA members.  Professor Karl Moore from McGill University, provided an engaging 90-minute presentation on Effective Decision Making. Karsten Mecklenburg, Head, Trade and Economic Section, Delegation of the European Union to Canada, discussed trade policy.  Other new speakers included Dan Bresolin, CN’s Assistant Vice-President of International Intermodal and Mathieu Charbonneau, Executive Director of CargoM, a group of freight transport and logistics stakeholders working together to establish Greater Montreal as a recognized intermodal hub.  

In addition to hearing from Port of Pascagoula CEO Mark McAndrews and his board member Pamela Lindsey about how their board functions, the audience heard from board management expert Elaine Roper of Odgers Berndtson, who provided insights into the roles played by CEO vs. the importance of the role of the board chair and his/her relationship to the CEO.  Danny W. Wan, Port Attorney for the Port of Oakland and a Vice Chair of the AAPA Law Review Committee provided an overview of the legal liability facing board members and illustrated his points using lists of do’s and don’ts as well as an example of a real example involving city officials in Bell, California.

Attendees enjoyed a welcome reception at the new Port Centre in Old Montréal as well as a boat tour of the port on the final day of the program.