AAPA recognized the inaugural group of Port Professional Executives (PPX) at its Annual Convention and Expo last week. These distinguished port leaders include:

The PPX is an esteemed yearly credential that can be obtained by former Port Professional Managers (PPMs) or leaders with 10-plus years of port management experience. PPXs will gain their credential by earning 36 hours per year from activities that allow them to transfer their knowledge. “PPXs will serve as mentors to emerging port leaders,” said Dr. Noel Hacegaba, chairman of AAPA’s Professional Development Board. “This is just the latest way AAPA is helping to prepare the next generation of port leaders.” For more information about AAPA’s professional development programs, including the Port Professional Associate (PPA), PPM and PPX, contact Shannon McLeod at smcleod@aapa-ports.org.

Sean Strawbridge, chief executive officer of the Port of Corpus Christi, was formally installed as AAPA’s Chairman of the Board of Directors on October 17, during AAPA’s Annual Convention and Expo. Strawbridge succeeds Mario Cordero, executive director of the Port of Long Beach, who served a two-year term beginning in September 2020. Griff Lynch, CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority, was appointed to fill the board seat and remaining term vacated by Strawbridge.

In addition, Danny Wan, executive director of the Port of Oakland, was elected as director for the U.S. South Pacific Ports Region. Directors re-elected for their regions include Chett Chiasson, executive director of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, U.S. Gulf Ports Region; Jonathan Daniels, executive director and CEO of Port Everglades, U.S. South Atlantic Ports Region; Paul Anderson, president and CEO of Port Tampa Bay, U.S. At-Large Director; and Sean Hanrahan, president and CEO of St. John's Port Authority, Ports of Canada.

Directors with another year to serve in their term include Lisa Lefeber, CEO and executive director of the Port of Everett, U.S. At-Large Director; Vanta Coda, CEO of the Ports of Indiana, U.S. Great Lakes Ports Region; Richard Hendrick, CEO of Albany Port District Commission, U.S. North Atlantic Ports Region; and Julianna Marler, CEO of the Port of Vancouver USA, U.S. North Pacific Ports Region.

AAPA board members serve two-year, staggered terms according to the bylaws. Earlier this year, AAPA accepted nominations for positions on the board. For more about the election process, see pages 4-6 in the AAPA Bylaws.

The Georgia Ports Authority handled more than 1.5 million TEUs in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2023 (July-September), an increase of 135,000 TEUs, or 9.6% over the same period last year. “A high number of ad hoc vessel calls, the addition of three new Mediterranean services, and one new service to Asia contributed to the growth,” said GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch.

Port Milwaukee marked the end of the 2022 Great Lakes cruising season. Mayor Cavalier Johnson was joined by officials from the City of Milwaukee, the State of Wisconsin, and the Great Lakes region to celebrate a banner year for the city’s growing cruising industry. Milwaukee welcomed 13,610 passengers via international cruise ship, totaling 33 vessel calls.

The Port of Long Beach invites the public to see up close how it is working to become the world’s first zero-emissions seaport at the “Green Port Fair” from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, November 5. The free event will feature the new “clean machines” of cargo movement, environmental information booths, a children’s train ride and other activities.

The Alabama Port Authority has announced the results of its 2021 Economic Impact Study, which showed that the Port of Mobile, harbor-wide delivered $85 billion in value to the State of Alabama over the calendar year 2021. In addition, economic activity at the port creates about one in seven jobs statewide, with a total of 312,896 jobs across the State of Alabama.

The Port of Harlingen Authority was awarded $3.9 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Port Infrastructure Development Grant Program (PIDP) on October 26. Funding will be used to renovate the port’s main dock and related facilities. In addition to grant funds, the port is investing a local match of 25% of the project cost.

The Port of Oakland Board of Commissioners approved extending a contract to purchase renewable electricity from the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) at the October 13 board meeting. The energy will come from EBMUD’s Wastewater Treatment Plant Power Generation Station.

Homeland Security and Emergency Management Position, College Station, TX; Texas A&M University / The Bush School of Government & Public Service