
Seaspan Marine Makes Leadership Changes
As of Jan. 1, new leaders have taken the helm at Vancouver, B.C.-based ship design, engineering, building and repair company Seaspan.
Jordan Pechie has become the president of Seaspan Marine Transportation, while Harly Penner has been named president of Seaspan Energy, it was announced Dec. 2.
Pechie, who served as senior vice president at Seaspan Marine, has taken the reins from Derek Ollmann, who has become chief executive officer of transportation for Seaspan parent corporation The Washington Companies.
A Master Mariner, Pechie brings more than 19 years of maritime industry and leadership experience to the top role. Before joining Seaspan in 2020, Pechie led HaiSea Marine.
“Both Derek Ollmann and Jordan Pechie have demonstrated exceptional leadership in transforming and re-imagining the business at Seaspan Marine,” Washington Companies President and CEO Mark Lamarre said.
“We have full confidence that the leadership transition will be seamless as Derek shifts his focus to overseeing transportation at The Washington Companies, while Jordan continues to build upon the strong foundation he has established at Seaspan Marine,” he added.
Penner, who serves as Seaspan Energy’s senior vice president, is a maritime veteran with more than 25 years of experience in the industry. Penner previously helmed Seaspan Ferries Corp.

Trigon Announces New Terminal President
Terminal operations executive Craig Olley has been appointed to the newly created role of president of Trigon Pacific Terminals, the Prince Rupert, British Columbia-based terminal operator announced Nov. 27.
Olley, who previously worked as vice president of operations at a Port of Vancouver marine terminal, is expected to oversee Trigon’s daily operations, customer relations and project management, according to the company.
Olley has a Master of Business Administration degree from the Simon Fraser University Beedie School of Business, where he also received a graduate degree in business administration.
He also attended the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he completed the Teck Resources’ Leading for Excellence program and the Building and Implementing Growth Strategies program.
“Craig’s strong commitment to continuous improvement, safety and excellence is fully aligned with Trigon values,” said Trigon Chief Executive Officer Rob Booker. “We’re the largest terminal by volume in the Port of Prince Rupert, and I’m confident his exceptional skills, experience and customer focus will help drive Trigon Terminals even farther forward.”

New Port of San Diego President-CEO Named
Carlsbad, Calif. City Manager Scott Chadwick has been chosen as the Port of San Diego’s new president and chief executive officer, the Southern California seaport announced Nov. 21.
Chadwick, whose contract is expected to be ratified by the Board of Port Commissioners on Dec. 10, is anticipated to start leading the port’s nearly 600 employees in the top role in mid-January.
Chadwick has two decades of experience in city government, including more than six years in Carlsbad and about 14 years with the City of San Diego, where he served as chief operating officer, human resources director and labor relations director.
He grew up in San Diego County and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Purdue University. He served eight years as an intelligence analyst for the U.S. Army before working for AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) in San Diego for five years.
Chadwick is poised to take the reins from Acting President and CEO Randa Coniglio, who formerly served as the port’s first female president and CEO from 2015 to 2020. She was asked to return to the top job in 2023 after former President and CEO Joe Stuyvesant was placed on administrative leave. Stuyvesant officially resigned in January.
Board members lauded the selection of Chadwick, who was chosen from hundreds of applicants in a leadership search that started in February.
“In Scott, we have a proven leader who believes that people and relationships are of utmost importance in public service and in business,” Board Chairman Frank Urtasun said.
Board Vice Chair Danielle Moore echoed the sentiment.
“Scott is committed to people-focused leadership and has a reputation for building strong, high-performing teams that drive forward organizations and the communities they serve,” Moore said. “The Port of San Diego is a dynamic entity and Scott’s extensive background in city management, government operations, legislative affairs, human resources, labor relations and the military, coupled with his robust networks across the region and state, position the port for success in the years ahead.”

Port of Seattle Selects New Economic Development Division Director
Veteran executive Neepaporn Boungjaktha (pronounced Nee-Pa-Pawn Boing-Juk-Tah) is the new managing director of the Port of Seattle’s Economic Development Division, the port announced Dec. 4.
Boungjaktha, who was chosen through a nationwide search conducted by executive search firm Jorgenson Pace, joined the port after serving as an executive director for the Snohomish County (Wash.) Executive Office.
She also was previously the managing director of global trade and investment at Greater Seattle Partners, and served as vice president of global engagement and other roles at the Seattle Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Boungjaktha attended the University of Washington, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies, according to the port.
“As the Port of Seattle looks to build a port for the future, a clear vision of how economic development through real estate, economic opportunities for businesses of all kinds and support of regional travel and tourism is essential,” Boungjaktha said. “I look forward to bringing my experience working at both county and regional economic development and trade organizations to the port to bring that vision to fruition.”
Port Executive Director Steve Metruck said the port looks forward to Boungjaktha’s leadership and strong regional knowledge.
“In this role, (Boungjaktha) will be focused on setting a vision for the port’s economic development future including developing and expanding its real estate portfolio, expanding economic opportunity with a focus on equity and sustainability, and working with our partners at the Northwest Seaport Alliance,” Metruck said.

Norris Joins Vigor as Vice President of Marine Fabrication
Pacific Northwest-based industrial firm Vigor on Jan. 6 announced the appointment of Mark Norris as the new vice president of the company’s marine fabrication division.
In his new role, Norris is responsible for leading Vigor’s defense and commercial marine fabrication projects while growing and maintaining an experienced skilled team. He will be based at Vigor’s Vancouver, Wash. facility.
In a statement, Norris said he was excited to join Vigor while the company is already doing such important work and has a great vision for future growth.
“The talent and expertise within this company are well-known, and this is a great opportunity to help elevate our work to new heights,” he said.
Vigor President and CEO Francesco Valente said the company is fortunate to have someone of Norris’ experience and knowledge joining the firm at a critical time for marine fabrication division, which is currently in production on the Maneuver Support Vehicle (Light) or MSVL, the U.S. Army’s new generation landing craft.
Norris has nearly four decades of experience leading major defense programs, spending 25 years at Lockheed Martin, rising to vice president of joint programs for the Army and Navy. He then joined Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri, and most recently led strategy and business development for BAE Systems Inc.’s F-35 Lightening II program.

POLB Harbor Commissioner Olvera, Jr. Named ILWU International President
Longtime labor leader and Long Beach Harbor Commissioner Bobby Olvera, Jr. is the new international president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), representing thousands of longshore workers across 29 ports along the U.S. West Coast, the organization announced Nov. 8.
Olvera, Jr. and the new leadership team, which consists of Vice President Ryan Whitman, Vice President Brandon Wolff and returning Secretary-Treasurer Ed Ferris, were elected by ILWU members and sworn in Oct. 29 by outgoing International President Willie Adams at the organization’s International Executive Board meeting in San Francisco.
At the swearing-in ceremony, Olvera lauded Adams’ steady leadership, “steering the union through a difficult six years” and “clearing the deck” so the new team of leaders could have the chance “to grow and strengthen the union in the next three years,” according to the ILWU announcement.
The ILWU surprised Adams by naming the courtyard of the International Offices after him. Adams said he was touched by the gesture.
“I never would have thought I would receive an honor like this and it means a lot to me,” he said.
Olvera’s history with the ILWU spans more than three decades. After registering with the organization in 1989, Olvera was chosen by Local 13 members to serve on the executive board, political action committee and as a ILWU Longshore Caucus and Convention delegate, according to his port bio.
From 1991 to 1998, Olvera served in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 2018, Olvera was elected as ILWU International Vice President and appointed to the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners in 2020.