newsmakers – Pacific Maritime Magazine

02 Apr

Longtime PMSA President Retires

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsmclaurin, newsmakers, pmsa

After nearly three decades leading the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, the organization’s president, John McLaurin, officially retired March 29. McLaurin, who became PMSA president in 1995, has been a longtime advocate for the West Coast maritime industry, which has seen significant investment in port infrastructure, supply chain modernization and emissions reduction efforts. PMSA itself grew under McLaurin’s tenure, widening and unifying various trade groups in California and Washington under one voice and expanding the organization from an office in San Francisco to three locations in Long Beach, Calif., Oakland and Seattle. “John McLaurin leaves behind a legacy of success and…

26 Mar

Port of Olympia Hosting Town Hall With New Executive Director

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsnewsmakers, portofolympia

The Port of Olympia is expected to host a town hall on March 27 to introduce new Executive Director Alex Smith to the community. The event gives Smith a chance to meet residents, share her vision for the port’s future and field questions from constituents. “We encourage residents, business owners, stakeholders and anyone interested in the port’s activities to join us in person for this engaging event,” port spokesperson Taber Lee said. “It’s an excellent opportunity to get to know Alex and gain a deeper understanding of her vision and priorities.” The Port of Olympia Commission selected Smith in February…

12 Mar

New Port of San Diego Commissioner Sworn In

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsnewsmakers, posd, sandiego

The San Diego City Council has appointed public affairs specialist Sid Voorakkara as the Port of San Diego’s newest commissioner, replacing Commissioner Emeritus Rafael Castellanos, who resigned in January. Voorakkara was sworn in Feb. 20 to the seven-member board that governs the port by Councilman Kent Lee. Voorakkara is a senior partner at ArroyoWest, LLC, which offers communications, public affairs, and strategic planning services to the public and private sector. He’s also a commissioner of California’s Health, Safety and Workers’ Compensation Commission. Previously, he was field director at the United Nations Foundation, deputy director for external affairs at the California…

27 Feb

Port of Portland Announces New Chief Development Services Officer

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsnewsmakers, portland

The Port of Portland has chosen Kristina Kelchner as its new chief development services officer, a new role that oversees strategy of the port’s Development Services division, which encompasses engineering, environmental, planning and development and safety operations, according to the port. Kelchner, who began her new role Feb. 22, previously served as the port’s assistant general counsel since 2022, working on various matters such as leasing and development of the port’s upcoming Mass Timber and Housing Innovation Campus at Terminal 2 and strategies for environmental remediation and permitting, the port said. Before joining the port, she was assistant general manager…

06 Feb

Port of San Diego CEO, Board Member Resign

Pacific Maritime MagazineNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsnewsmakers, posd, sandiego, Stuyvesant

Six months after being unexpectedly placed on leave, Joe Stuyvesant has stepped down as president and CEO of the Port of San Diego, a role he had served in since February 2021. Days later a longtime port commissioner, Rafael Castellanos, also resigned. Both officials’ departures were effective immediately. Stuyvesant, who was placed on administrative leave in July, officially ended his tenure Jan. 21 after the Board of Port Commissioners accepted his resignation. When asked why Stuyvesant was placed on paid administrative leave, a port official told PMM Online last summer that the POSD was unable to provide additional information, as…

06 Feb

Port of Long Beach Appoints New Security Chief

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsnewsmakers, polb, uscg

U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Ryan Manning is expected to helm the Port of Long Beach’s Security Division beginning this spring. The port announced Jan. 22 that its Board of Harbor Commissioners has approved Manning’s appointment to lead the Security Division, which is responsible for providing portwide safety and security and collaborating with various agencies on those efforts. Manning is expected to start in his new role after March, when he retires as the Guard’s captain of the Port of Los Angeles-Long Beach, and Commander of Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach. In that role, Manning oversees 550 active duty, reserve…

06 Feb

Port of Olympia Names Executive Director Finalists

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsgibboney, newsmakers, olympia

The Port of Olympia has narrowed its search for a new executive director from 34 candidates to four finalists, the port announced Jan. 30. The successful candidate would succeed former Executive Director Sam Gibboney, who departed last year. The port commission and a subcommittee panel are expected to conduct final interviews on Feb. 6 with Thurston County Community Planning and Economic Development Director Joshua Cummings, Public Policy and Economic Development Consultant Anthony Hemstad, City of Olympia Economic Development Director Michael Reid and Alexandra Smith, who served as an environmental programs director at the port, according to The Olympian, a local…

23 Jan

Port of Seattle Commission Elects 1st Black Female President

Pacific Maritime MagazineNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newshamdi, newsmakers, portofseattle

Hamdi Mohamed is the Port of Seattle Commission’s president for 2024, making her the first Black woman to hold the leadership position, the port announced Jan. 9. Meanwhile, Toshiko Hasegawa is the new vice president and Ryan Calkins is now secretary. Mohamed, who serves as director of the city of Seattle’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, was the first Somali woman elected to public office in Washington state and the first Black woman chosen to be on the port commission when she was elected in November 2021. She also became the first Black woman to serve on any of…

23 Jan

Oregon-Based Greenbrier Overhauls Business Operations Structure

Pacific Maritime MagazineNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsgreenbrier, newsmakers

Lake Oswego, Oregon-based firm Greenbrier Companies, a global supplier of freight transportation equipment and services, on Jan. 8 announced changes to its business structure, including the roles of some senior managers. Brian Comstock, a 26-year Greenbrier veteran with more than four decades of railway industry experience, has assumed responsibility for all operations in the Americas, including the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Brazil. Additionally, William Glenn, who has spent more than 20 years at Greenbrier in various roles, has assumed responsibility for all operations in Europe. Greenbrier’s board appointed Comstock to the position of executive vice president and president, the Americas,…

16 Jan

Port of Long Beach Appoints New Division Directors

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsnewsmakers, polb

The Port of Long Beach Commission has appointed Monique Lebrun as director of its Program Management division and Terra Van Andel as director of its new Central Procurement Services division, the port announced Jan. 8. Lebrun, who joined the port in 2008, has served in various roles in the Design and Program Management divisions. Since December 2022, she has been the port assistant director of Program Management, which is part of the Engineering Services Bureau overseeing the improvements to harbor, wharfs, terminals, railroads, bridges, roadways and utilities at the port. Van Andel, who joined the port’s Finance Division as the…